Got Accepted into BOTH ADN and BSN Programs

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For background,

I currently have an Associate Degree in Business and Bachelor's degree in Nutrition. I was on the pre-med path for a bit, but decided not to go to med school. I currently have 75k of student loan debt, none of which is from private loans. I got accepted into both BSN and ASN nursing programs. I'd like to work in Emergency Medicine as a nurse primarily. I'm currently working as an EMT for ambulance companies. I'd like to eventually advance education to the DNP.

Any help is appreciated in making a decision. Comparing the two programs

BSN accelerated vs ASN nursing programs

Length

Both start in the Fall of this year.

BSN is 16 months straight with a full-time course load (18 credits per semester)

ASN is 24 months part-time (9-12 credits per semester) with all your college breaks. (I have many of the classes already)

I could work earlier with the BSN.

Cost

The BSN is considerably more expensive. 36 grand total tuition. With an additional credits required, I'm concerned I'd have to take out additional loans also to help pay for expenses. I'm already in significant debt. Funding this would all have to come from private loans also, which I don't like

The ASN is CHEAP in comparison. Along with scholarships, I plan on paying out of pocket. . Fall semester runs around $3500. I can also continue to work full-time with benefits working in EMS. I'd have to reduce to part-time to attend the BSN program.

It seems like this really is the deal breaker. Ultimately a RN is an RN. From what I hear, many companies would help pay for a transitional BSN also in trade for a commitment for years worked for them.

I understand that ultimately most DNP programs require the BSN.

I hear that certain hospitals won't hire BSNs on these boards, but it doesn't seem like that is the case locally here. It seems like all I'd achieve with pursuing the BSN is paying more for my education ultimately.

The ASN program here has a good reputation for educating nurses.

thoughts.. recommendations.. etc

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won't hire BSNs..I think you have that backwards....most places prefer BSN over ADN (ASN) Yes many places do offer tuition help, but for some its only so much a year......

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Advise you to enter the BSN program to get more bang for your buck earlier, with less disruption to your worklife, and to save time and money.

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won't hire BSNs..I think you have that backwards....most places prefer BSN over ADN (ASN) Yes many places do offer tuition help, but for some its only so much a year......

Yes that was a typo. I hear people say that they aren't hiring ADN, but what I see locally is different. The local company here states they pay $5000/year with an exchange for a year of working full-time for them.

I currently don't see the value paying the extra for the BSN over ADN.

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Advise you to enter the BSN program to get more bang for your buck earlier, with less disruption to your worklife, and to save time and money.

I'd be an estimated 115 thousand dollars in total student loan debt (~40k from private loans) in obtaining the BSN degree. I'd become an RN 8 months earlier than if I attended the ADN program. I would have to relinquish my full-time job with benefit working in EMS to part-time which decreases monthly income not to mention giving up benefits.

From what I see, the BSN doesn't offer more money than the ADN nurses. It increases job opportunities in some markets, but does not increase the RN's hourly wage over a ADN. HR says it "prefers" the BSN, which we all know it's more about who you know. Working in EMS has been a nice way to meet different people. They currently have a full-time ER nurse position open at the local hospital. I'd be hard pressed to think I wouldn't have a good shot at it with my experience and knowing the guy that hires. I just don't have the RN.

How would there be less disruption to work life? A full-time program in where I can't work a full-time job with benefits seems to me to disrupt work life a lot more.

For the ADN program, if I get scholarships, I might only have to be paying around $1500/semester which I can pay out of pocket.

I'd be 75k in debt instead of 115k starting as a nurse.

I don't see the value of the BSN, but maybe there is something I'm missing, which is why I'm posting here. Thanks for posting.

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Specializes in ED, med-surg, peri op.

Complete you bachelors. It may cost more but it will save you a lot of time. The course is much longer, and then you still have do more study once you are a RN. Also those scholarships and hospital paying for you RN to bsn is not guaranteed.

Take out the loan, which you can then focus on paying it off asap. Or if time isn't an issue for you, take a year or so off to save as much as you can and better work out how to pay for your course.

You know what you want and you know you need a bachelors to do it.

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Complete you bachelors. It may cost more but it will save you a lot of time. The course is much longer, and then you still have do more study once you are a RN. Also those scholarships and hospital paying for you RN to bsn is not guaranteed.

Take out the loan, which you can then focus on paying it off asap. Or if time isn't an issue for you, take a year or so off to save as much as you can and better work out how to pay for your course.

You know what you want and you know you need a bachelors to do it.

So you think it's wise to get into 40k additional debt to private lenders to obtain the Bachelor's nursing over the Associates? From what I see in our local area, the ADN has been fine to fill positions.

I'd only be out 8 months earlier if I did the BSN program of ADN. I figure I could work with a nurses salary while then working on an online BSN program, which is what I've heard is relatively common. As I could work full-time through the program, I could pay for the ADN out of pocket without going into more debt.

It might take an additional year or two before I could start an NP program, but from what I hear they like experience anyways.

I could manage my overall debt so I don't become prey to the loan sharks. I'm still trying to see the true benefit of paying for the BSN now. I see a online transitional BSN program on here marketed for around $9000.

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Specializes in Palliative, Onc, Med-Surg, Home Hospice.

I would go for your ADN, get a job and THEN go to get your BSN. If you can get employee tuition assistance, you'll be a lot less in hock. Over $100 grand in student loans, you'll be paying until your grandkids graduate from college. Trust me, you don't want the majority of your pay to go for student loans.

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Specializes in ED, med-surg, peri op.
So you think it's wise to get into 40k additional debt to private lenders to obtain the Bachelor's nursing over the Associates? From what I see in our local area, the ADN has been fine to fill positions.

I'd only be out 8 months earlier if I did the BSN program of ADN. I figure I could work with a nurses salary while then working on an online BSN program, which is what I've heard is relatively common. As I could work full-time through the program, I could pay for the ADN out of pocket without going into more debt.

It might take an additional year or two before I could start an NP program, but from what I hear they like experience anyways.

I could manage my overall debt so I don't become prey to the loan sharks. I'm still trying to see the true benefit of paying for the BSN now. I see a online transitional BSN program on here marketed for around $9000.

Well it it sounds like you've made up you mind. Go with what works for you. Good luck.

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seeing you have previous debt go the ADN..this BSN thing esp in my town-Phoenix is just a bad rumor.You can get employee tuition reimbursement for your BSN.I did ADN route at a cheap price..vs coworkers that did a BSN for 75k..i cannot fathom paying that loan back.Also i have moved around even got into Mayo Clinic(whih is like hard/golden gates )to get into with an ADN.Goodluck

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I would say go with the ADN program, work full time, and sign up for a RN-BSN program then find a job around your area when you are licensed. There are some programs that allow you to do ADN and BSN concurrently.

I'm in a similar situation, but without the debt. I was accepted to both an ADN and ABSN program. The ADN program would be tuition-free (I qualify for the BOGOFW) so the total cost for 3 years (which includes the BSN portion) is ~15k. On the flip side, the ABSN program is 55k in tuition + 20k to relocate so roughly ~75k in total for a 24 months accelerated program. Both programs have NCLEX pass rates of 90%+.

My plan is to do a RN-BSN or an ADN-BSN concurrent enrollment program and work as a CNA/PCT to gain experience + network. A friend of mine did exactly this and was able to get a new grad ER position 3 months post graduation and 2 weeks post licensing. This is in California too. It really comes down to who you know nowadays.

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Go with the ADN! I'm in the same boat and I know the anxiety that comes with thinking about additional debt. It sounds like you have all government loans and would have to take out private loans if you got your BSN. The pro of government loans is that you can do the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program...and if you are still working while in school it counts towards your 10 years before forgiveness!

I personally will be doing the ASN route and working while in school. The cost alone makes the decision easy. When you are done, since you already have a BSN you can do a bridge RN-BSN program in about a year online. I honestly think an extra year is nothing when you're saving about 60k.

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