Foreign BSN vs. Calif. ASN + debt

Nurses General Nursing

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I am just hoping to get some help from some of you experienced nurses. I am coming to the end of my pre requisites (great science grades) and am going to have to make a decision in the near future.

I basically have 2 options which are wait list 18-24 months and attend a 24 month ASN program. I would most likely have to move and quit my job. Even if able to pick up a new job I would be looking at less money and less hours. So I am guessing I would be out of school in 4 years W/ roughly 24k in debt. Perhaps less than 4 years but that would involve out of state tuition and a little more debt but at least my grades could make a difference rather than just being entered into a lottery. I guess there is a third option of Calif. BSN but that would involve 5 years and more debt than I am comfortable with. And yes I know there are options of contracts with student loan reimbursement. I have too many units for financial aid even though I have never received any.

Or Option 2, I could immediately begin a BSN program (not the diploma mill sort) in the Philippines and be finished in 3 years. I understand it will take longer to get licensed when back in Calif. So even if it took a year to get through the red tape the time involved would be roughly the same as a local ASN. However I would have a BSN rather than an ASN and I would be debt free. I would also love the opportunity to live abroad and experience a new culture. However I would always be viewed as a foreign trained nurse. Would this potentially affect me in the work place? Will this affect my ability to get contracts and work as a traveling nurse in the future?

Just wondering what your thoughts are on all this. Would I be better off as a Calif. trained ASN W/ debt or a foreign trained BSN with no debt. I guess I would really prefer to live abroad but not at the expense of my future employment potential. I am fairly lost as far as how this could possibly affect my future. Any help will be greatly appreciated.

PS I don't speak any Talalog so clinicals could be challenging.

RachH

111 Posts

As a CNA in a hospital, I worked with two nurses who were trained in the Philippines. They weren't treated any differently, one was even a charge nurse. To be honest, they were of my favorite nurses to work with.

I'm in nursing school right now, and I would love the opportunity to get out of here debt free. If I were you, I'd be packing and listening to Talalog language CDs right now! And hey, if you do encounter any lack of respect, you'll have a BSN so you can pursue a master's in nursing in the US. And your hospital may even pay for your master's. You could go all the way for free!

But, don't forget to weigh all of your options and choose what's right for YOU! Good luck! :)

SummitRN, BSN, RN

2 Articles; 1,567 Posts

Specializes in ICU + Infection Prevention.

I would take the cheaper longer route because why be in a hurry? It's not like there are jobs for new nurses right now.

dolgre

14 Posts

Why would you choose to move to a foreign country to get your BSN, when you could attend any one of a number of stateside BSN programs for the same costs? And an ADN/ASN is a great way to start, but you will need to get a BSN to move up. It is terribly hard to work in nursing full time and go to school to do that, so I'd advise you if you are ultimately wanting a BSN get it now, not later.

Specializes in Oncology/Haemetology/HIV.

As a foreign trained nurse, every time that you try to get licensed, there will be heavy paperwork.

rn4ever?

686 Posts

I chose the second option that you mentioned some years ago. I don't regret it. I had fun while studying in the Philippines. I had a house maid so I did zero laundry, zero cooking, zero cleaning, zero housework while studying-----so I was able to focus. I finished with a BSN degree, I didn't have to incur any student loans, I got licensed in the US without a fuss, I've been working as a US RN for years now. Pay rate given when I started was the same as someone who went to a US school. I am glad I did what I did. I speak Filipino and English fluently though. But don't worry, majority of the Philippine population could read/speak/understand the English language.

SwimRN10

30 Posts

You're the only person that can really decide this, have you ever stayed in the Philippines for long periods of time? I mean I would say go for the BSN just because its more convenient and affordable. Plus when you do work in the US your money will be yours and not used to pay off loans forever...and you'll learn how to speak tagalog that's another plus..

NorCalKid

141 Posts

Why would you choose to move to a foreign country to get your BSN, when you could attend any one of a number of stateside BSN programs for the same costs? And an ADN/ASN is a great way to start, but you will need to get a BSN to move up. It is terribly hard to work in nursing full time and go to school to do that, so I'd advise you if you are ultimately wanting a BSN get it now, not later.

Thanks to all that have replied.

The cost issue is simply no comparison. Even W/ foreign tuition schools in the Philippines are under 1k usd a year. My local CSU (public BSN program is closer to 5k, more at the UC's) rent here $530 a month(and I am in a rural area, more if accepted to a school in SF or LA) vs 5000 or $120 in the phil. I estimate I could be out in 3 years or less W less than 35k (that's actually fairly conservative and would allow a great lifestyle I am guessing)spent in the Philippines/speak another language and have an experience to remember the rest of my life along w/ a good education. I figure if I stay here it will cost me roughly 4-5X as much (bsn). And to be honest with the point system used at the CSU's I'm not sure that I can even get in. I have the grade points and even with all 20 TEAS points I will be short of what they have been accepting. I'm not a minority and not a veteran. And w/ no hospital exp.(you really need a tech certificate to make a difference) I don't see myself being able to come up with the points needed. I can however get into an ASN program but it will involve a wait. Tuition will be cheaper but the rest of my living expenses will be the same as if I were in a BSN program. But I can always upgrade.

NorCalKid

141 Posts

You're the only person that can really decide this, have you ever stayed in the Philippines for long periods of time? I mean I would say go for the BSN just because its more convenient and affordable. Plus when you do work in the US your money will be yours and not used to pay off loans forever...and you'll learn how to speak tagalog that's another plus..

No I have never been to the Philippines. I have traveled a lot and lived overseas and would really like the opportunity to experience it. I am more concerned about how this could possibly affect my future hirability and traveling contract hirability. No the Philippines wouldn't be my first choice of places to live. But when taking into consideration quality of education, English spoken, affordability, and ability to immediately get into a BSN program it has become an attractive option and that's why I'm here. Hopping to learn a little more about it and how this option might affect my future and get some opinions.

SwimRN10

30 Posts

Many colleges in the Philippines do not take international classes so that would mean that even though you have taken pre-reqs they would make you re-take them. They are 4 years long including summers, so 3 summers...its basically year around with 2-3 week vacations in-between. You probably should find out which college you want to attend and what the requirements are. The Philippines is the only country in Asia where almost all ppl speak some english...And when you first start doing clinicals ur clinical instructor would let you work with a buddy until you can manage with the language barrier with patients.... Its probably the best country to go to if you want to go the international route for BSN.

NorCalKid

141 Posts

Many colleges in the Philippines do not take international classes so that would mean that even though you have taken pre-reqs they would make you re-take them. They are 4 years long including summers, so 3 summers...its basically year around with 2-3 week vacations in-between. You probably should find out which college you want to attend and what the requirements are. The Philippines is the only country in Asia where almost all ppl speak some english...And when you first start doing clinicals ur clinical instructor would let you work with a buddy until you can manage with the language barrier with patients.... Its probably the best country to go to if you want to go the international route for BSN.

Thanks, I have also noticed that a lot of them age discriminate(Trinity UOA is one and I think Cebu doctors college does). I am 35 and apparently too old to become a nurse in many of their eyes. As far as counting pre reques, I have heard mixed reviews. Some have told me it was no problem and some have said they didn’t take any. I wouldn’t consider a school that didn’t count any. But planning 3 years is assuming I will have to retake some.

SwimRN10

30 Posts

There are many schools that allow "2nd courses" into their nursing programs, it just takes some research and knowing what city or even island you plan to study at, I would say avoid mindanao...Just look for schools in luzon and the visayas...cebu is a beautiful place and I would recommend to go there over manila's over populated city...good luck with whatever you chose!

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