Is spending $80,000 on a private ABSN school a waste

neogirl · Oct 30, 2017

I went to a private school, a little less then $35000 for a 12 months ABSN all inclusive including books, uniform, ACLS, PALS, KAPLAN course, and HESI course. The school has a NCLEX pass rate of 95%

Flatline, BSN, RN · Oct 30, 2017

I went to a private school, a little less then $35000 for a 12 months ABSN all inclusive including books, uniform, ACLS, PALS, KAPLAN course, and HESI course. The school has a NCLEX pass rate of 95%

Around that pricing is what I have experienced, my wife experienced, and most people I have met have been around that pricing.

Med Surg RN, BSN, RN · Oct 30, 2017

My aBSN was a bit more than that and the only reason why I went through with the private program, is because I could not get into the local city and state programs due to the high saturation of applicants in New York City. Also with some of the local city programs, e.g. Hunter College, candidates HAD to take the nursing prerequisites at Hunter-- so if the prereqs were FULL (again d/t high saturation), you had to wait the semester out, which only delayed the process of applying to nursing school. Also, even if you took the prereqs at the school, it was not guaranteed you would get in, although you would be preferred as a candidate.

I opted to pay that much for a private nursing program so I could get things going BUT I do not think it was worth it in the end. My big name private school did NOTHING to help us find jobs, it was a business really. So if you can find a cheaper program that you can get into, I would encourage that. The loans are not worth it and the hospitals I worked at, paid you an additional 25 cents or 50 cents per hour for your BSN, so $80,000 is not a good investment to justify that.

Big_Mike · Oct 31, 2017

I got admitted to Jefferson college of health sciences. It is nonprofit.

marsbar37, BSN, RN · Oct 31, 2017

i did an accelerated BSN 2nd degree program too. It was worth it. The teachers were fantastic and they really cared.

Orca, ADN, ASN, RN · Oct 31, 2017

My big name private school did NOTHING to help us find jobs, it was a business really.

This is a major issue. A lot of "colleges" sprung up to take advantage of easy student loan money, and many don't care what they deliver. My stepdaughter attended a college whose name you would immediately recognize from their television ads. They totally exaggerated the available career opportunities in the field that she was studying, and the "job assistance" that they made such a big deal about when she signed up was a list of prospective employers for her to call. About half of them were out of business, and the rest were very annoyed that the school was still telling graduates to call them about jobs.

luvmyc · Nov 1, 2017

Yes. Taking on that much debt is crazy.

WhortonOKC · Nov 1, 2017

As a 24 year BSN, YES it is overpriced and likely not worth it.

Get a BSN from a reputable but mid level state university. Don't even do that unless you plan on getting a Masters degree.

In 24 years I have yet to have a job that paid any dividend for a BSN, Most don't even flatter you by putting BSN on your name badge.

amoLucia · Nov 2, 2017

This is something that has not been brought up here, but I have read numerous entries from students and grads (but not yet NCLEXed) and newbies. Are you approaching schooling with any type of LEGAL LUGGAGE (I think I just invented a new term!)???

These are folk here on AN who've had some kind of brush-ins with the law, some quite serious and some not-so-terrible. If you commit to some type of financial contract, there could be SIGNIFICANT problems if you the have some legal issues that could preclude or prohibit your entering or finishing school. Or prevent you from sitting NCLEX or obtaining a desired job. Or you are reported to your BON.

Problems like DUIs, fighting, shoplifting, drugs or alcohol issues, thefts, wrong place/wrong/time/wrong company, etc etc etc. Posts abound here with even minor ones. And then there's those work related issues that can get you in trouble.

You'll still have those IOUs.

Please think hard about that level of debt.

Flatline, BSN, RN · Nov 2, 2017

As a 24 year BSN, YES it is overpriced and likely not worth it.
Get a BSN from a reputable but mid level state university. Don't even do that unless you plan on getting a Masters degree.
In 24 years I have yet to have a job that paid any dividend for a BSN, Most don't even flatter you by putting BSN on your name badge.

Depends on what you do with that BSN. A raise for doing the same job? Not likely.

Being more marketable for better paying jobs? Absolutely.

I made just over $60k when I graduated with by ASN, couple years after my BSN I was north of $100k and a couple years from that I am now north of $120k. My BSN was the thing that made me eligible for the positions I was seaking.

All depends on what you do.

Destin293 · Nov 4, 2017

It seems like a good idea until those $650 a month payments for 25 years begin. As someone who spent $80,000 on her first degree, then $15,000 on an ABSN, I say don't do it. If you have $80,000 that you worked and saved for, stick it in your retirement and go for a cheaper option for school. It doesn't matter where you go to school for nursing, you clean up poop just like everyone else.

retiredmednurse · Nov 4, 2017

I am now a spokesperson for my nursing school to encourage high schoolers to go there. It is a full university, so they have a lot to offer besides nursing. Look into scholarships. When I asked what was out there, WOW was I impressed. My school is a private school, so it is expensive and they know that. But the grants and scholarships can easily pay over half the tuition, lodging, and meals-and in some cases, nearly a full ride.