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Discussion

Help!!!! Which program to choose?!

Hi Everyone! A little background on myself, I live in California (excuse the username, I need to change it) and have my bachelors degree in Kinesiology. Therefore was looking into entry level msn programs (elmsn). I applied to an elmsn program and was accepted! I also applied to a community college LVN program and was accepted! I have to give both an answer in the next week so won't have time to apply anywhere else before the deadline. I'm torn between the two...the elmsn is the quicker path, however, really expensive (about $100k). I wont be able to work full time the first year but I'll be able to take the NCLEX in 13 months and work as an RN full time, while completing the msn portion part time for the remaining 1.5-2years. There is no BSN opt out. Also too, if I want to specialize in nurse practitioner that's an additional 5 semesters post masters or apply elsewhere.

The lvn program is a year and is basically paid for with financial aid. From there I'd have to apply to LVN-rn or LVN-bsn programs. It's a way longer path and I'm not guaranteed acceptance into those programs and most want the pre reqs I've already taken in a certain time frame so I may have to retake pre req courses. I've already taken the long route to get my first bachelors. So being in school and going program to program seems never ending. But the no debt part is ideal....I'm currently working as a cna in a hospital which hires some lvns for certain units. I'm really grateful to have both options and would appreciate your feedback!!

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    Do the MSN program! I really don't think you would be happy in the LVN program or profession due to your previous education. If you do the LVN program, you will be light years ahead of your classmates who many will have never taken medical courses before. Also, while LVN school may be cheaper, LVNs are paid SIGNIFICANTLY less than RNs and MSNs.

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    I would say do the LVN program and then work in order to pay for a bridge to RN program. ONLY because of the debt. As someone who also has another bachelor's degree (and is applying to a couple direct entry masters programs) I would absolutely hate walking away with 100k in debt, and in fact wouldn't even apply if that were the cost in my area. I'm not sure if you already have student debt from your bachelors, but even "just" 100k is something you would have to look at repaying for a significant portion of your career, and it isn't as though you are walking out of school a doctor or a lawyer where the debt is proportional to income... just my 2 cents.

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    I agree with the above poster because of your background in kinesiology, I believe you would not be challenged in a lvn program, it blows my mind to hear the lvn program don't even cover foundation classes such as AP1, AP2, and Microbiology. You have a great opportunity with the entry level master program. However, 100k is a lot of money, I would make sure I could cover those expenses before throwing the lvn program out the window. Congratulations and good luck on your nursing journey!

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    • Author

    Thank you all for your input! Everything you said I thought about but I just couldn't say yes to all that debt. I declined the MSN program and it was such a hard pill to swallow! :( I accepted the LVN offer so slowly but surely I will eventually get to RN. :)

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    • Author
    I would say do the LVN program and then work in order to pay for a bridge to RN program. ONLY because of the debt. As someone who also has another bachelor's degree (and is applying to a couple direct entry masters programs) I would absolutely hate walking away with 100k in debt, and in fact wouldn't even apply if that were the cost in my area. I'm not sure if you already have student debt from your bachelors, but even "just" 100k is something you would have to look at repaying for a significant portion of your career, and it isn't as though you are walking out of school a doctor or a lawyer where the debt is proportional to income... just my 2 cents.

    I agree!!! I accepted the LVN offer! :)

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