HELP! Student debt

miksyrak3 · Dec 22, 2009

Not sure if this will help but my brother has his BSN and my sister in law has her ASN and there is no difference in their pay. I am going for my ASN right now because it is cheaper and may pursue my BSN at a later date. I guess it is really up to you and what type of degree you want to have in the end. Good luck and try not to lose too much sleep.

nnicolee · Dec 22, 2009

Im in a BSN program at a university and I just finished my first semester of pre-reqs.. for my freshman year i already owe almost $20,000, and im going to ASU in-state.. Im wondering if it is even worth it to go back to ASU next year and bring my debt to more than 40k.. and not even have my RN....
I'm trying to weigh my options.. im not sure that if i went to community college next year i would be able to apply to the ASU BSN upper division.. I am so confused and i loose sleep over this. All i can think of is graduating with an ocean of debt.
Im not eligible for financial aide and my HS grades werent amazing enough for a scholarship.. im so conflicted about what i should do.
please help!

I live in AZ too so I know how expensive it is to attend the local universities. Have you looked into gaining your pre-reqs at any of the Maricopa Community Colleges? I know you can get your pre-reqs for a portion of the cost. ASU is very expensive especially if you are dorming on campus. Have you looked into living at home versus dorming? You can cut a lot of extra costs out by simply living @ home. If I were you I would seriously look into transferring to a CC so you can finish your pre-reqs then apply to ASU's program whenever you are done with them. Community colleges also have great scholarship opportunities if you have at least a 3.0 GPA or above!

That's the current path I am taking except I live in Pinal County and attend CAC for $0 cost to me - it's all covered by scholarships and grants. If I were you (since you are young like me) I would go for your BSN versus ADN because why wait two years on a waiting list if you can knock out the BSN in the same time? Also think of how there is a job shortage and hiring freeze @ Banner and I think even Mercy Hospitals so you have to think for the future really. I'm not sure where you want to be when you're done with your BSN but I think speaking to an advisor would also help. I haven't had the best luck with advisors at my school but I can't speak for ASU. Best of luck with your future plans.

bluehippo · Dec 22, 2009

Some of my nursing instructors have told me that there is no difference in pay between a BSN or ADN. Two people that have graduated from this same ADN program are making very decent money, and they also say that there's no difference in pay.

I am attending a community college that costs about $1200 every semester, and I will have spent about $1000 on books by the time I graduate. After I pass the boards, I plan to get a job and experience, then maybe next year begin an online ADN to BSN bridge program. The ADN-BSN bridge is definitely more expensive than schooling for the ADN, but I will have a steady income by then.

It does stink that you've already spent $20,000 on your first year of prerequisites (would you spend a total of $80,000 for your BSN?), but if money is such an issue, which I can totally understand, then maybe it would be better to get out of there and continue with a community college to get your ADN and go back later when you have more money for your BSN.

I wish you the best, good luck.

caliotter3 · Dec 22, 2009

Transfer to your local community college.

Mineee45 · Dec 23, 2009

I say cheapest is the better option. Community college.