Doing RN to BSN and working as a new grad

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Would anyone like to give their opinion, please.

I am deciding between a BSN program and a CC program. The CC program would cost me almost nothing ($2500) b/c I have gained scholarships there. The BSN has not shared any information re: aid yet, but my gpa is not upper echelon there...it is much less likely. The BSN would likely end up costing me 20-22k total.

Now, if I chose to CC program I would like to move right into the RN to BSN (within six months of beginning work) and if I did it PT, I could finish in two years. It would also be paid for completely by my local university affiliated hospital.

My question: How much is it worth, to have to go to school p/t and work as a new grad? How hard is that? I do not want to have 20k in student loans after school, but I also don't want to be completely stressed and miserble while trying to balance too much. I realize that only I can answer these questions, for our family; but I just was interestedin other's experiance and opinions.

Thank you!!

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I would look at the actual cost of 20k in loans... If that is your only stipulation perhaps use this viewpoint.

If you are able to max out on unsubsidized loans and then the subsidized stafford loans you won't have to pay until 6 months after you graduate (and the unsubsidized loans won't accrue interest until after you graduate). Then if you look at the approx rate of annual inflation 4-5%, combined with tax incentives of having open students loans, (did you account for the federal hope scholarship 2k refund or the continually learning tax rebate?), then you can also look at the loan as a known long term commitment...let it hang out and gradually pay it off as you work... it will improve / establish a credit score and you might also run into a loan forgiveness via the hospital, county, state, etc that you work in.

I would definately do the BSN if the 20k is the only issue as it's rather small - and then provide yourself with an improved quality of life while working or giving you the opportunity to work a bit more in order to feel comfy with having the loan.

...also with the BSN the military active duty and reserve options are available and could augment/complete your loan.

The info that was not provided was the duration of the BSN - are you just needing the junior and senior years? That was my assumption for the statement above.... if all things were equal aside from 20k I would do it.... if it were 2 year vs 4 year.. I would ADN :)

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I am currently a pre-nursing student at a cc and will be apply to the current cc's nursing program and to a bsn program. I will more thank likely attend the nursing program at the community college and then do a rn-bsn. My reason is because I want to get out into the field and start getting experience asap. I am not in a rush to get my bsn and can do that part-time. If you are not in a rush to get your bsn why go into debt? The pay is relatively the same.

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Specializes in ED.
II would definately do the BSN if the 20k is the only issue as it's rather small -

20K rather small????? Compared to 2K, it is no question for me. An employer can help you pay for BSN. Get the AD and do the rest later. 20K is a HUGE debt in my opinion.

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If I were young again, 20k would be relatively small. What i didn't mention, is that this is second degree, I have a family, and my husband and I both want to begin spending more time focused on the various urban ministries that we are interested in working with. (=no pay)

I really do lean toward the CC, precisely because of the cost difference. However, there is a glamour and richness (in variety of classes, lectures, networking, hospital connections) available at the university.

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Would anyone like to give their opinion, please.

I am deciding between a BSN program and a CC program. The CC program would cost me almost nothing ($2500) b/c I have gained scholarships there. The BSN has not shared any information re: aid yet, but my gpa is not upper echelon there...it is much less likely. The BSN would likely end up costing me 20-22k total.

Now, if I chose to CC program I would like to move right into the RN to BSN (within six months of beginning work) and if I did it PT, I could finish in two years. It would also be paid for completely by my local university affiliated hospital.

My question: How much is it worth, to have to go to school p/t and work as a new grad? How hard is that? I do not want to have 20k in student loans after school, but I also don't want to be completely stressed and miserble while trying to balance too much. I realize that only I can answer these questions, for our family; but I just was interestedin other's experiance and opinions.

Thank you!!

There is no reason you should take out 20k in student loans!!!!!

People are too quick to beat the drum for others to go into huge amounts of debt and try to justify it by saying you can't put a price on education.

Like heck you can't!

Go to the community college, you will fare as well financially as if you go through a BSN program (minus the debt.)

Debt is never easy or convenient to pay back, no matter if you can wait to start paying (prolong the pain). Get all your pre-requisite classes out of the way at the community college where it is much cheaper (and transfers the same as any other school) then you work on an RN to BSN bridge program through a public university. You won't be finished in three semesters, but what's the race for?

I became an LPN, then an ASN, now, I'm in a BSN program. I was awarded a pell grant but it only paid for half. It's painful to have to pay the other half (app. $1500 per semester--the college system is a racket) but this pain is temporary and short-term. Since I took all my pre-requisites at the CC I've only got two semesters left at the university. When I graduate I will have no debt. How on earth anyone can look at a situation like this then urge you to move forward racking up more than 6X that much in debt

just is not good sense.

And my situation is not better or easier than other peoples'. I'm the sole wage earner in my house and I have four children ranging in age from 15 months to 11 years. We do without a lot but we don't need a lot, either.

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Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.

I did the CC thing first and now am doing my BSN while working two jobs. There is no way I was going to take out loans or use my savings so I worked the entire time. It isn't easy right now but imo its sure easier than paying for school for years and years. Don't forget that even though people will claim how low the interest rates are you are still paying them. I only wish I could do a CC for my BSN the check I wrote for my fall semester nearly killed me, lol.

Good luck!

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Applied to both and then see what your options are. 4 year institutions have a lot of scholarships and finacial aid package. Both ways are good.

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I would do the community college, pass RN boards, then enroll in a 100% online BSN program and do that part online. That will allow you to get your RN degree, work, be home with family, and get your BSN in the comfort of your home. Cost shouldn't be the biggest issue. OPSU nursing program is about $100/semester hour, and you NEVER set foot on campus. It's great and not hard.

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I was in the same situation. I will be finished with my ASN in a couple of weeks. I started off at the program for another school where I already have a bachelors degree. I have a lifetime of student loans taken out already. I assume you already have student loans for your other degree? Go to the cc. It is WAY cheaper and don't forget that student loans have interest. I am planning on going back in March to start my BSN. I can use my tuition assistance for a couple of more pre-reqs that I need and I guess I am lucky because my employer has a free online RN-BSN program for employees to use if they have 5 years of service. So take advantage of what your employer has to offer. And who said that you can't just take one BSN class at a time? Are you in a rush to get your BSN?

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Specializes in Ortho/Uro/Peds/Research/PH/Insur/Travel.

Yes, it IS feasible to be a new graduate AND be enrolled in an RN-to-BSN program. I graduated in June 2007, took the NCLEX in August (I started my current position one week prior to the exam), and started the RN-to-BSN program in late August. I advise taking the one or two fundamental courses during the first term. That way, it won't be too stressful or labor intensive. The more time consuming courses tend to come later in the program.

HOWEVER, don't put the cart before the horse...get through nursing school first. While the pass rate for first-time NCLEX takers is relatively high, it's because nursing programs have weeded out the ones who will definitely NOT pass.

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If I were young again, 20k would be relatively small. What i didn't mention, is that this is second degree, I have a family, and my husband and I both want to begin spending more time focused on the various urban ministries that we are interested in working with. (=no pay)

I really do lean toward the CC, precisely because of the cost difference. However, there is a glamour and richness (in variety of classes, lectures, networking, hospital connections) available at the university.

What is your first degree? Associates or Bachelors? In my opinion, if you have an associates already, you may just need the nursing courses which I would either do at CC or in distant learning. However, if it is a Bachelors (in another major), I would do a bridge program to a BSN. Either way, ADN & BSN can both be done online, at your own pace and pay as you go.

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