High cost of nursing courses

RN403, BSN, RN · Sep 21, 2015

You would have to do your schooling online as your primary schooling must include clinical. If you are looking into a cheaper option how about trying for an Associate Degree in Nursing at a local community college and have your employer pay for your BSN once you land a job.

With this option you would need to be sure the hospitals around you hire ADN nurses as some require a BSN.

Other than that, have you looked into a state school if possible? They tend to be cheaper. You might also be eligible for scholarships if you check with the financial aid office / an advisor at the school you are interested in.

Good Luck!

llg, PhD, RN · Sep 21, 2015

As the previous poster said, you have to start with an entry-level program of some type. You have a couple of options:

1. Associate's Degree (Usually found at relatively inexpensive Community Colleges or at very expensive private, for-profit schools). If you went that route, you would get an ADN and an RN license and get a job, one with an employer who would help you pay for more education. You could then go to a BSN program, then an MSN program (or DNP program, depending on where you want to end up). Or you go right from the ADN education to a program that would combine your BSN and your MSN together. Starting with an ADN and having your employer help with further schooling can be great option for people who want to save money. But it takes longer to do it that way, and in some communities, ADN nurses have a hard time finding good jobs as many employers prefer to hire nurses with BSN's.

2. You could start with a BSN. Some schools have programs designed to fast-track people with BS or BA degress in other fields through a BSN program. Many of these programs are referred to as "accelerated BSN" programs. After getting your BSN, you would then look for an MSN or DNP program. Hopefully, you would be employed as an RN and your employer could help with the grad school costs.

3. Some schools have "direct entry" MSN programs for people with degrees in other fields. I think that is what you are trying to do. That is the quickest route for someone in your position, but the most expensive up front -- because you won't be employed as a nurse while you go to school and probably won't have much financial help from an employer. Another disadvantage to such programs is that you don't have a chance to explore nursing a bit before you make that big investment in grad school. Many nurses change their minds about specialties, career paths, etc. as they get a little real experience and people in such programs have much less opportunity to "test the waters" before making that big investment.

In general, state schools are cheaper than private ones. "For-profit" schools are often outrageously expensive. In addition to looking at the finances of attending a school, also look at measures of quality in the education it provides -- NCLEX pass rates, accreditations, faculty qualifications, class size, reputation among local employers, etc.

Good luck with whatever you decide.

Mavrick, BSN, RN · Sep 21, 2015

Have you determined what kind of "nurse" you want to be?

Bedside in a hospital? (most common mental image of a nurse), Clinic? (working with relatively healthy walkie-talkie type patients) , Educator? (teaching patients, other nurses, or student nurses), PCP? (Primary care doing assessments and writing prescriptions). There's LTC (Long term care /nursing homes), Rehab (Physical and drug addictions), School Nursing, Corrections Nursing, Operating Room, Labor and Delivery, Pediatric etc.

An MSN is not necessary for the majority of RN positions. A BSN is an undergraduate degree that has become increasingly necessary to obtain acute care/hospital based positions. An accelerated BSN>MSN program assumes you are already an RN and wish to obtain additional education for an advanced position.

There are direct entry MSN-RN programs but I'm not sure what their use is. I'm as confused as you there.

There are so many options. Everybody join in now and help this guy.

Mkiwi · Sep 22, 2015

For a start I have to say that you guys are awesome, to use a word that is overused here in New Zealand, because I feel like I at least have a starting point to clear through all the mud I've been swimming in as far as nursing courses are concerned. I am an American, went up to high school there, but then have lived abroad in the UK, some Asian countries and here in NZ ever since. All of my post-high school ed has been in the UK and NZ so a lot of the US system stuff is confusing. But I am thinking of coming back, 5 year old in tow, and would really like to become an RN. My limitations are such that I have been a student for M.A.N.Y. years and would like to get as far as I can with nursing, with as low a cost as I can (as I'm a solo parent), as soon as I can so that I can just get working and gaining experience. I want to be well qualified, of course, but I just can't afford to be out of the workforce for too long. A few things have been cleared up for me so tell me if I've got this right:

â€RNâ€ is not a result of doing a BSN, but a result of passing the NCLEX. So that means you can do an associates degree and become an RN so long as you can pass the test.
A masters is not only unneccesary, but may even be limiting to future choices.
Th quickest and easiest route would be an associates degree and then passing the NCLEX, but some may not hire ADNs.

So, I'm thinking I need to do an accelerated BSN. It seems like they are 1.5-2 years long (although I guess i'd have prereq courses??) and I should come out quite employable.

My second choice would be the ADN>employment>employer pays for BSN route, but I still end up doing more study years or, at least, taking a lot more time to get to the end product of being a fully fledged RNâ€¦do I not?

My interest? Very likely paediatrics or educational nurse of some sort as I have been a teacher all of these years and I feel my skills would go nicely in there somewhere. But, hey, I might discover something completely new once I'm studying, and I'm open to that.

Now I'm trying to figure out how to find community colleges that do these courses in the area of Southern California that my parents live in as that is probably where I will be living. I've found a few, but they are private and the cost per creditâ€ thing drive me nuts! I just want to know a ballpark figure how much these courses will cost me. What do you think you all ended up spending?

If you were having a, I shudder to say itâ€¦â€mid-lifeâ€ career change, what route would you go for?

RN403, BSN, RN · Sep 22, 2015

â€RNâ€ is not a result of doing a BSN, but a result of passing the NCLEX. So that means you can do an associates degree and become an RN so long as you can pass the test.
A masters is not only unneccesary, but may even be limiting to future choices.
Th quickest and easiest route would be an associates degree and then passing the NCLEX, but some may not hire ADNs.

This is correct. You are not a Registered Nurse until you take and pass NCLEX. Completing a Diploma, ADN, or BSN program that is accredited allows you to sit and take NCLEX. You can practice as a GN with a temporary permit, but, ultimately to work as an RN you must pass NCLEX.

So, I'm thinking I need to do an accelerated BSN. It seems like they are 1.5-2 years long (although I guess i'd have prereq courses??) and I should come out quite employable.
My second choice would be the ADN>employment>employer pays for BSN route, but I still end up doing more study years or, at least, taking a lot more time to get to the end product of being a fully fledged RNâ€¦do I not?

No it is possible to go the ADN to BSN route in 3 years. 2 years for ADN and 1 year for an RN-BSN program. This route can be quicker than a typical BSN program (4 years). Or it could be an equal 4 years if you take one year for pre-requisites and then 2 for your ADN. Then 1 year for a BSN. It CAN be more time consuming if you are unable to complete the RN-BSN program in one year due to raising a family, finances, etc. However, it does not indefinitely take longer than a traditional route or an Accelerated BSN program.

However, if you already have a Bachelor's degree it might be worth your time (and money) to complete the accelerated program. Usually takes 1.5 to 2 years and you come out with a BSN which depending on where you live will make you more marketable. (That is something else you will want to look into - where you plan on working and what degree the hospitals prefer or require).

If you were having a, I shudder to say itâ€¦â€mid-lifeâ€ career change, what route would you go for?

Accelerated BSN, especially if you are planning on working in CA. Just my two cents.

It is a lot to consider...I wish you the best!

elkpark · Sep 22, 2015

My second choice would be the ADN>employment>employer pays for BSN route, but I still end up doing more study years or, at least, taking a lot more time to get to the end product of being a fully fledged RNâ€¦do I not?

What do you mean by "fully fledged RN"? An ADN and a license are as "fully fledged" as it gets. You may not be as employable as an RN with a BSN, depending on the area in which you're living and looking for work, but you will have the same RN license as every other RN. Whether or not you choose to continue your education would be a personal choice, and would not change your licensure. There is only one level of generalist (basic) RN licensure, and everyone gets the same license, regardless of whether they qualified via an ADN, BSN, diploma, or Master's level entry program.

NurseGirl525, ASN, RN · Sep 23, 2015

The problem I see is if all of your post-secondary education has been in NZ, you may not qualify for an ABSN here. You are going to have to look at the requirements to come here and what your education in NZ means. We cannot possible advise you as you need to talk with a school advisor and get started from there.

I will tell you that CA is severely impacted in both nursing school and new grads right now and the job market is extremely competitive. Look to wait to get into nursing school for several years after completing your prereqs and applying. This is why you need to talk into schools in your area and we cannot advise you.

Mkiwi · Sep 23, 2015

I understand that now but did not understand that before as I thought you would have to get through a BSN before you could become an RN. But, as I mentioned in a previous post, I see now that it is about the test, not about the course.

There are two grades of nurses here in NZ, one has a post grad diploma, which is the same as an Associates degree in US parlance, and one has the BSc. The first one does not become an RN (I can't remember the name they use offhand but I think it is "enrolled nurse"). You need to do the BSc (BSN) in order to become an RN. Both can work as nurses, but they have different responsibilities. So, I was thinking the ADN vs. BDN thing in the US was something like that.

I am still a little confused as to why there are different courses, however. For example, why would anyone spend 4 years on a BSN when you can still pass the NCLEX and get the same result after a 1-2 year Associate's degree? I see one of the differences is that some do not hire ADN graduates...why is that? Do those with an ADN usually get fewer duties or something? Or is it a state-by-state preference?

AceOfHearts<3 · Sep 30, 2015

A lot of hospitals in the larger cities are moving toward Magnet status. In order to qualify for magnet status a certain percentage of the RNs must have BSNs (I think it needs to be around 80%). Having a BSN also allows the nurse to pursue an MSN, which can help them move up the chain at work and into different positions. The ADN vs BSN debate is ongoing and something I like to avoid to keep the peace. I did an accelerated 2nd degree BSN program because most hospitals in my area require BSN and I plan to go back to school in a few years for my MSN.

Something to think about as you start looking into the programs are the length of time they take to complete and the number of credits required at that school. My program was the shortest available at 11 months. Something I realized when almost done with the program is my school also required more credits than others. My school had four 10-week quarters and we took 21-24 credits in each quarter. Some other programs are a 3-7 months longer and can require as many as 20 credits less. I took 88 credits in 11 months and I know a program that has only 67 credits in 14 months. I didn't even think to look at the credit hours of each of the programs.

Mkiwi · Sep 30, 2015

Thank you for your reply. That's really useful, especially about the credit hours. Since you pay by the credit hour I realise that means more money, let alone more topics to cover so I'm really glad to know that.

I am really leaning toward an accelerated BSN now, especially because I think it will be more transferable if I go abroad again. I have an Associate's degree in another subject and people never really seem to know what it is. It often gets officially translated as a lower qualification equivalent than it is. Although I'd have the RN status to go with it, I think the BSN will be the most universally understood.

Has anyone here done a course that their employer paid for? How does that work? Do you work part-time and study part-time or do they give you leave to study full-time usually?

AceOfHearts<3 · Sep 30, 2015

Something else to ask about with BSN programs is what is called "high stakes testing". A good amount of schools now require students to pass an exit exam in order to graduate. My program required this, but not all programs do. My program gave students 2-3 attempts to pass it before they are required to take a remediation course and allowed to retest. Not all school's handle it the same way and not all school's require you to pass an exit exam. A lot require it because it is a good predictor of your chances for passing the NCLEX on the first attempt. Some people think the exit exams artificially inflate the school's pass rate, but I view it as a good thing. When a school's first time pass rate for the NCLEX drops too much there are a range of repercussions, with the ultimate one being the school loses accreditation and the program closes. I view the exit exam as a quality control measure that helps protect my investment. Personally it was also very reassuring going in to take the NCLEX that because of my score on the exit exam I had over a 98% chance of passing the NCLEX on my first attempt (which I did and also in the lowest number of questions possible).