Debt! Advice please

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Hi! I'm trying to figure out if it's worth it to get into major debt for a BSN. I already have a degree (and the debt that comes with it) and am going back to school for nursing. My question is, does it matter if I get an RN from a community college vs a BSN? I know there are millions of posts out there about this, but I just can't decide if the debt is worth it... any advice is welcome!

thanks

m

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Do the ADN at a community college--it is much cheaper-- then get a job at a hospital that will pay for your BSN. Our hospital has an on campus class and in 2 years you have your BSN. The community college I went to for my ADN cost me 6000.00 for the 2 years--that included everything--even books. A good deal and it was really just as hard as university. Good Luck.

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Specializes in Perinatal, Education.

I agree with Kittykatty. I got an ADN after a BA and now have an MSN. Best not to go into more debt. I now teach at an ADN program and I am a believer in the degree.

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Thanks for the advice! I know, the ADN is SOOO much cheaper, but part of me wonders if it is worth it to do an accelerated BSN program (1 year) and just get it over with, even if it does mean lots of debt. And I hear the job market for ADN nurses isn't all that great. Is that true?

Thanks so much for your advice!!!

molly

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Also, what kind of MSN does one need to teach in an ADN program?

Thanks!

molly

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Molly, I'm starting St. Kate's post-bac program this year, and if I could do it again, I'd go for a community college ADN instead. I'd say apply to both kinds of programs, and go with whichever you get into. If you get into both, I'd go with the ADN. Especially in this environment. I'm already sweating the fact that I'm taking out another $20K in student loans (on top of my current $20K from the U), and that I may not find a nursing job in 3 years. Just my two cents.

Lola

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It depends on your situation.

ADN is definitely cheaper but long - , prereqs, then 2 year program, with an additional 1-2 year waitlists if you are an alternate. DO this option if you are young, have a lot of debt, and can wait.

Accelerated BSNs are pricey and very competitive. No matter what, you'll want to get your BSN soon after though because the profession is heading towards BSN as the only degree you can get to become an RN. I heard New York and one other state are trying to pass laws towards that and some hospitals prefer BSN. Although experience trumps everything. You get paid a little more and you have more options to take leadership type roles.

If you're older, and want to have kids someday and don't want to juggle, school, work, kids, down the path you might want to reconsider a ABSN. You can see if there are scholarships or programs where hospitals pay for you if you sign a contract to work there for x amount of years.

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Specializes in FNP.

Not all hospitals are paying for continuing ed right now. At mine, there's no shortage of LPNs or RNs, so they are not paying for continuing ed for either. I was told that I probably won't get reimbursement (partial) for my master's due to budget stuff right now. And there's a limit of what you can get per semester, and you have to be full-time at my hospital to get it - so don't count on the hospital to pay for your BAN/BSN if you're going that way.

A good rule of thumb is don't take out more debt than your first-year salary. I know that seems like a lot, but for a 4-year degree, it adds up. I went that route, though, and finished at the same time I would have by taking the LPN-RN (AA) route through a community college due to waiting lists. Good luck with your decision!

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Thanks for the advice! I know, the ADN is SOOO much cheaper, but part of me wonders if it is worth it to do an accelerated BSN program (1 year) and just get it over with, even if it does mean lots of debt. And I hear the job market for ADN nurses isn't all that great. Is that true?

Thanks so much for your advice!!!

molly

The job market isn't good for any staff nurses (ADN and BSN) right now. Even if you have experience. It's true that a majority of job postings will say "BSN preferred". But if you don't have experience, that doesn't matter anyway. The waiting list for most ADN programs is pretty long. It took me 2 years to get in even after I had all of my prerequisites. I have a friend who has been trying to get into a LPN-RN program for years now and she has been placed on every waiting list there is. She's almost ready to give up. I finished my ADN in December 2008 and was lucky enough to be hired at a major hospital just before their hiring freeze. Out of 75 nurses hired at the same time I was, it was about half and half ADN and BSN. I am thankful every day that I have a job.

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The ADN isn't going to go away any time soon. ND tried the BSN only law and it was repealed in very short order.......

The job market will improve. RN retirements of the baby boom generation are starting to hit.....By 2020 there will be real shortages again....

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