educational path advice, please!

I guess that depends on your future career goals, and what programs are available. I am in a very similar situation, and am applying to all three. My first choice is the ABSN even though the ASN -> RN-BSN program would be cheaper [$$ , but not time]. It is 16 months and I plan to apply to the school's FNP program immediately after graduation. The ASN/BSN option would probably allow for full-time or almost full time work if you need/want that. The ABSN probably not so much..maybe only weekends. Good luck to you.

Well, I'm not exactly sure what I want to do beyond becoming an RN. I would like to obviously continue my education beyond that, but I think I'd like to explore yhr different options while I'm in clinicals or after working as an RN for a while. I just hear so many things about ASN and ABSN graduates struggling to find jobs and that the preference are nurses with BSN.

There are so many factors involved in choosing. I have 2 nursing programs in my area. An ASN and a BSN. The ASN (not including pre-reqs) cost $11,000. The BSN $25,000+. I have a large hospital right in my town that actually prefers to hire the ASN students because they feel the quality of ASN college's end product is better. However, in different communities the BSN program may have a better reputation. In the long run I will be able to go back and get my Bachelors not only under what the BSN college would cost, but my job will help pay for it!

The programs are very different. I would get a good idea of what programs are around you, what there reputation is, cost, how classes/clinicals are held, etc.

apply to every school in your area and go to whichever one accepts you first.

you could do ADN, get the RN, work for 1-2 years then get a masters or DNP in 2-3 years.

I was in the same boat as you, and I opted for the ADN program. It's far cheaper, and I like the idea of being able to get by BSN while also working as an RN. It's also fairly easy to get hired on in this area as a newly graduated ADN, so it was an easy choice for me.

You are correct - employers prefer BSN grads & ADNs are preferred over ABSN in my area of the country. However, at this point, admission to nursing schools is still so competitive that you may just have to base everything on whichever program you can get into. In order to be successful in nursing, you'll need to be resilient and persistent - not to mention comfortable dealing with ambiguity.... Just consider this an opportunity to develop those skills - LOL.

Please beware of racking up student loans. There are such huge consequences, especially if something goes awry and you don't complete your nursing program. In many states (like mine), you cannot renew any professional licenses if you are in default on your student loans.. they can even refuse to renew your driver's license. You don't want to mortgage your entire future.

This process is so stressful! Does it really need to be so complicated? Lol Why are so many different programs and educational paths offered if they all aren't equally accepted? With the amount that schooling costs I'm trying to be cautious and plan for the best outcome for myself, but I'm starting to feel like there are strings attached to everything related to nursing-programs, required courses, degree type, debt and job availability. Am I stresssing over nothing?