How much did you/would you pay for BSN?

U.S.A. California

Published

Hello everyone!

I recently graduated with an A.S in Biology along with completing all my prerequisites for nursing programs in my area. I have a 3.9 science gpa & unfortunately a 3.0 cumulative which is not even high enough to apply to any of my local state schools which are very affordable. It's my fault for making my fair share of mistakes along the way & I'm paying for it now.

I was accepted to a private university (Azuza Pacific) which is about $80k. They have a great program from what I've heard but the cost seems like too much for me. I'm very torn.

My counselor at my CC said I have a good shot at getting into my schools ADN program but I've done my research & viewed job postings & almost ever hospital in my area says they desire a BSN.

So my question is what's the most you would pay for a BSN or how much did you pay for yours?

Any advice?

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Hi! Have you decided if you will be attending APU yet?

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Specializes in Psychiatry.

Most hospitals prefer a BSN but that doesn't mean you will not get hired if you have an ADN. Regardless of what you graduate with, you're still a new grad and the most important thing is getting your foot in the door which an ADN degree will do for you.

You can go on to get your RN-BSN degree online and in Ohio university for example, it may cost you $7000 and you get your BSN in a year.

If you're thinking of cutting costs and saving time then go to a CC.

State schools may cost less for a BSN though so don't count them out.

Private schools are expensive and I wouldn't recommend going to a school that will cost $80,000.

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Hi! Have you decided if you will be attending APU yet?

Hi! I have not decided yet. My local community colleges application period opens up in August - September If I don't get in to any CC's then i will go to Apu.

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Most hospitals prefer a BSN but that doesn't mean you will not get hired if you have an ADN. Regardless of what you graduate with, you're still a new grad and the most important thing is getting your foot in the door which an ADN degree will do for you.

You can go on to get your RN-BSN degree online and in Ohio university for example, it may cost you $7000 and you get your BSN in a year.

If you're thinking of cutting costs and saving time then go to a CC.

State schools may cost less for a BSN though so don't count them out.

Private schools are expensive and I wouldn't recommend going to a school that will cost $80,000.

That was the original plan! However I've heard so much "80% BSN by 2020" it's scary to think I can get through nursing school at a CC only to not get a job I'm so conflicted.

Unfortunately I don't even meet the cumulative gpa to apply to state schools. I've been to some informational meetings & they've said if you don't have a 4.0 your odds aren't great.

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Specializes in Psychiatry.

Yes the plan is that you need a BSN by 2020. That's what hospitals will prefer. This does not mean that you will be unhireable; it just means that you will be a bed side nurse and you may not get the best places...so no Kaiser or magnet hospitals. I will suggest you apply to your local CC. Don't just apply to one school. Apply to schools around you. Also look at their selection criteria to see your odds of getting in. Look at what yes they require: teas or hesi?

Apply to your state schools as well. Just bear in mind that nursing is impacted so get in where you fit in- provided it's accredited.

Once you get your degree, you can figure out where you go from there.

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Do not pay $80,000 for your degree. Go online and figure out how much you'll end up actually paying for your degree w/ interest given however may months/years it takes you to pay it back. You will probably ending up paying double with interest! I paid $9,000 per year for a 2 year Accelerated BSN so about $18,000 give or take a bit for books (bought used) here and there. Luckily, I did not have to take out loans for this second degree. Seriously, do not get yourself into soul crushing debit for school. Get your ADN, get work experience (also consider the opportunity cost of additional schooling vs. working years) and get started on a cheap bridge program, if you feel you need to eventually upgrade.

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Do not pay $80,000 for your degree. Go online and figure out how much you'll end up actually paying for your degree w/ interest given however may months/years it takes you to pay it back. You will probably ending up paying double with interest! I paid $9,000 per year for a 2 year Accelerated BSN so about $18,000 give or take a bit for books (bought used) here and there. Luckily, I did not have to take out loans for this second degree. Seriously, do not get yourself into soul crushing debit for school. Get your ADN, get work experience (also consider the opportunity cost of additional schooling vs. working years) and get started on a cheap bridge program, if you feel you need to eventually upgrade.

Thank you for your response! Since posting this I actually went on a loan calculator app & my monthly payments would be what my husband & I pay now for rent. $1,500. Absolutely Not worth it. I decided to apply to my local CC programs to get my ADN & I'm actually retaking 2 classes just in case I don't get in for the Spring of 2019 term my stats will be higher when applying for the Fall 2018 term. Really hoping for the best.

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. $1,500. Absolutely Not worth it. I decided to apply to my local CC programs to get my ADN & I'm actually retaking 2 classes just in case I don't get in for the Spring of 2019 term my stats will be higher when applying for the Fall 2018 term. Really hoping for the best.

You will be eternally grateful that you are going with the CC program. Wise financial choice.

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Specializes in Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation.

Having done my ADN and transferable classes required for the BSN at a community college, my current BSN WOULD have costed my around 9k; however, several months ago I was informed that I had needed to take 3 consecutive foreign language classes (I only took 2 semesters) in order to graduate. Unfortunately, I have/had to retake those 3 classes from scratch which costed about another 2kish totaling to 11k for my BSN. I could have easily avoided that 2k and took for the foreign language at a community college, but I was and am not willing to commute back to a community college and deal with low registration date/trying to add full classes. The fortunate thing about the BSN program I'm in is that everything is online, including all 3 foreign languages. As far as I know, ADN-BSN programs range around the 11k or so area unless you are going to a private university. I don't think there is any reason to go to a private university unless that BSN program has ties to a MSN/NP program such as APU. I definitely wouldn't pay any more than what I've already paid for already. If you're already an RN and working, there is no rush to get the BSN right away. Take your time and find a good, but affordable BSN program which there are plenty of.

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I paid $45,000 (cash) for a 14-month accelerated BSN at Johns Hopkins. I would pay it again. I went from floor nurse to director in 12 years. I can tell you that 80/20 is already here. My facility does NOT hire any RN who does not possess a BSN. There's a myriad of reasons, primarily related to Magnet requirements, and the fact that BSN-prepared nurses have better critical thinking skills (I didn't do the research, but it's sound). Get your BSN.

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the fact that BSN-prepared nurses have better critical thinking skills (I didn't do the research, but it's sound). Get your BSN.

No, they do not have better critical thinking skills. That is an individual trait. Not something a degree confers. How silly. And yes, you didn't do any research, you pulled that comment out of thin air.

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