Ok, so I've been accepted to 2 programs in the Houston area. An LVN and an Accelerated BSN program. The lvn program is $5000 and the BSN will be around $42000. I would be able to pay for the LVN program out of pocket, and well obviously I would have to get a pretty large student loan for the BSN.
I know LVNs and nurses in general are having a hard time finding a job, but my sister in law and my aunt are both nurse managers so I have a job lined up.
I plan to eventually get my masters either way I go, but which would you choose?
You can not assume that your aunt or sister in law will be in a position to hire you when the time is right. What if they get another job and move on?? In my area LPNs are even being phased out in the care centers, so who's to say you get the job only to be replaced by an RN. And there's also the added complication, that it is harder to go back to school after you take a break. I would go get your BSN, get it over with and you will never have to worry about it again.
I think she was referring to chamberlain... What's wrong with that school. Please tell me because I am considering going there
Chamberlain is for profit, which is not necessarily bad except it means it is more of a business rather than a college like the University of Houston which is specifically an educational institution.
Usually their tuition is high & their attrition/retention rate is not so good, so people pay all this money or take out loans & then don't even make it through the program.
This is my personal belief on nursing school: work hard & make it your long term goal to get into a non profit nursing school. It will be much more affordable & a better education.
Getting through school is not a race so don't be sweet talked into debt because they are offering you a spot next week.
$42k for a BSN is actually cheap relative to other programs. With LVN, you don't become an RN upon graduation so I wouldn't even compare the two. Go for BSN.
Chamberlain is absolutely not a bad school. It may be a for profit but trust me I've done my research on the school and it's absolutely fine to go there. It's a bsn program and their nursing curriculum is no different than any other school. And yes, if you want to get your masters the credits do transfer, I've talked to students pursuing their masters that got their bachelors from chamberlain. A nursing program is a nursing program, put forth your effort and studying and you will get that bachelors degree. People bag on chamberlain because it's a for profit school but honestly all schools are for profit. Chamberlain had all the necessary accreditations and you don't need to prove to other people where you got your degree from... If you got into chamberlains nursing program you are just as good as the the rest. Nursing programs are hard to get into no matter where you go. So I say go for that bsn and be the nurse that you want to be.
If you want to go on for your Masters, do NOT go to a for-profit school. The credits rarely transfer and are usually not recognized by other schools.
That is true in general. But Chamberlain is "regionally accredited", which is the most important accreditation for transferring credits (especially non-nursing courses) to other schools. It is also accredited by CCNE. Other than the exorbitant costs, I don't see a problem with Chamberlain per se even though it is a for-profit. But the cost factor would keep me a few thousand feet away from it.
$42k for a BSN is actually cheap relative to other programs. With LVN you don't become an RN upon graduation so I wouldn't even compare the two. Go for BSN.[/quote']
^This.
Most BSN programs cost from 35,000-100K. As far as financial aid, you may qualify for grants (unless you have been told otherwise), which you may end up using less. Also, if you can tailor how much you need to borrow with a student loan. There are also student loans that provide nursing loan forgiveness (Perkins loan).
Research which options regarding financial aid will be available to you, as well as job options in your area if anything changes...NOTHING is guaranteed, but if you want your masters your BEST option is the BSN.
As a LPN first in my career, the program was in quarters, accelerated, and the only exceptions from my BSN program was health assessment (LPNs data collect ), research, and public health, as well as teaching was focused on the scope of a LPN, however, we we educated on the healthcare teams roles-it was imperative to be knowledgable about the roles in the healthcare team so we were able to understand our scope better.
With the BSN program, to me, the scope was broader, more flexibility in the scope as far as being able to exercise assessment (same as "data collection" lol) and responsibility in a much broader scope. I learned much more in my management class in terms of hospital economics, staffing, and making shifts as a charge nurse; in research, assessing evidenced based practice in order to advance the nursing profession; and in public health, in my area, I did pediatric asthma teaching in a program that was approved by NIH. I got a more well-rounded education from the well-rounded education in PN school.
I am grateful for going the route of the LPN. I enjoyed being one for 7 years, was able to make very flexible career choices, and enjoyed being able to work in Acute Rehabilitation and Pediatrics-I double specialized! My experience is attractive to employers, and with my one year experience as a RN, along with my years as a LPN, the experience factor averages out in terms of employment options and wages to pay the bills, save for retirement, and enjoy the fruits of my labor. But this was the path of my life. It worked for me.
With the current climate, the BSN gives you a better flexibility. I say this because the LPN scope varies around the country...you may want to do travel nursing, and in some states LPN scope is very broad, and in some states not so much. The RN license gives you more flexibility and scope, as well as in terms of education, closer to your MSN.
Whatever option you choose, you will end up with your masters...it will be up to you to make the best decision for you.
Sending positive vibes in your success!!! :up::up:
Specializes in inerested in school nursing, peds, OR.
Wow thanks for all of the feedback! I appreciate everyone's advice. I've been thinking about this constantly and decided to choose BSN because the difference in price doesn't really matter since I will be bridging anyways and eventually getting my masters.
As far as chamberlain goes.. It actually checks out to be a very good program and if I don't get in anywhere else, I will accept my spot there. Thanks again everyone!
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), research, and public health, as well as teaching was focused on the scope of a LPN, however, we we educated on the healthcare teams roles-it was imperative to be knowledgable about the roles in the healthcare team so we were able to understand our scope better. 
:up:
DisneyNurseGal, BSN, RN
568 Posts
You can not assume that your aunt or sister in law will be in a position to hire you when the time is right. What if they get another job and move on?? In my area LPNs are even being phased out in the care centers, so who's to say you get the job only to be replaced by an RN. And there's also the added complication, that it is harder to go back to school after you take a break. I would go get your BSN, get it over with and you will never have to worry about it again.