FRUSTRATED!!! and need advice!

Jennyfur1234 · Jan 20, 2007

I am in the same exact boat as you are. Let me know if you figure anything out. I would really appreciate it!

nurse2btracy · Jan 20, 2007

Hello

I am in the same boat. Personally this is what I am trying to do - get into a asn program and then go parttime getting my bsn while working as a nurse. In my opinion it is much harder getting into a asn program since most are in community colleges. Most are cheap and the demand to attend is high.

I have applied to Beth Israel's program for the Fall 2007. This is a ASN program but the cost is much higher than a community college. Hopefully, I will get in.

Lovely_RN, MSN · Jan 20, 2007

I think you have to sit down and make a list of the pros and cons of your situation. I have a BA already and plenty of student loans but I decided that I would go ahead and do the loans for an RN program at a private school. My pros were: 1. No waiting list, I got in on the first try. which is a big deal because it is super difficult to get into a CUNY program unless you have an excellent GPA and mine was only 3.3. 2. With my current degree my salary was in the upper 30s but once I graduate as a RN I will be making a minimum of 65k.

Those are my pros. In addition...

I also worked out exactly what the grand total of all my loans will be once I graduate (including my previous loans) and I calculated my monthly payments. Between my husband and myself we will be bumped up to a six figure income and we will be able to save as well as pay down my loan debt once I start to work.

On the con side....the loans! I hate the thought of being in debt but I really couldn't see another way to do it besides waiting years while I kept taking classes to raise my GPA. I am envious of people who get into a CUNY program because they will be debt free and making a nice salary once they graduate but it was highly doubtful that I would have gotten in no matter how hard I tried.

Reason it out because your situation is unique. For some people CUNY is the best way to go if they have the grades for it.

nurse2btracy · Jan 20, 2007

Falon - which school are you going to? I have applied to 2 private schools since my gpa is decent (3.4) but not for getting into public schools.

Once it is all said and done I will have major student loan debt but if I can get my RN it will all be worth it.

gigi15 · Jan 22, 2007

Hi , I am very interested in this thread, as i am also currently applyiny to a couple of schools, my GPA is 3.3 and i don't think that can cut it for CUNY.

thanks

Mission · Jan 22, 2007

I was in the same situation as you, though I only had one pre-req to complete. I did it at a BMCC. Went to Columbia full-time to get my BSN and worked some part-time jobs here and there. Now I work full-time and I'm doing the masters part-time.

In retrospect, this is what I would have done differently. I would have done my pre-reqs online through Excelsior, you can do it at your own pace, you don't have to go there, Columbia accepts them, I'm sure other schools do as well, and BMCC is just a horrible place. Secondly, I would have saved enough money so I didn't need to work during the first year of school. Most people I know are working through the masters phase and it is doable.

Good luck in whatever you decide!

nycstudent · Jan 24, 2007

does Columbia even have the BSN accelerated program anymore. From their website it seems as if you must join their joint degree program? Does anyone have any feedback on CNR (College of New Rochelle's Accelerated program?

Mission · Jan 24, 2007

People used to just do the BSN at Columbia and then leave. A few years ago they were talking about not granting the BSN till after you finished the MS but I don't know if they actually did that, though since that's what they want I'm sure they make the web site appear that way.