How did you pay for BSN or MSN degree

[Blouis, APRN]

I have my RN and have been nursing for 4 years now. I want to return to school for my BSN and after completing FASA was told I do not qualify for Pell Grants. The online school told me it would be about another $30,000 in student loans to complete my degree and most of their students take out loans to continue their education. I already have $9000 to pay on my student loan. I am being called off of work so much until I am not even going to get a paycheck this week. My husband is laid off and I am now applying for PRN positions (I need the higher pay in sacrifice of insurance) 40 minutes away in a nearby city. I cant think of going full time at this point until he finds a steady job.

For those who have returned to school for BSN or even MSN, how did you do it? Im starting to think its not even worth it. I would love a job in management some day. But currently, hospitals only pay $1 extra hr for BSN degree. Is it worth the 30,000 to get it?

[elkpark]

I went to a B&M BSN-completion program in a state university not too far from my home (~1-1/2 hr. drive). The program was designed and intended for RNs who were working full-time. The classes took place one evening a week and, for one semester, we had a community/public health rotation that was one day a week. We also had a management/leadership preceptorship/clinical one semester, but that we arranged on our own and you could schedule the hours at your and your preceptor's convenience as long as you completed the required # of hours (most people did their preceptorships at their place of employment). (That was my program -- I know that lots of BSN-completion programs don't require any "real" clinical at all.) I paid for the program out of pocket while also working 32 hours/week. (I did take out loans for my graduate program, but that was an entirely different matter.)

You may want to "shop around" for a more reasonably-priced program -- $30k for a BSN-completion program sounds like highway robbery to me (although I'm certainly no expert on the issue :)). Many of the online programs charge you a fortune for the convenience of going to school at home in your jammies :), but there is a v. wide range of prices/costs "out there."

Best wishes!

[BluegrassRN]

My RN to BSN completion program is costing me around 6K in tuition. It's through one of my state universities. I'm paying cash, as I only take 2-6 hours a semester. I didn't have to do any prereqs, and I already have a BA in another subject and therefore had completed all the prereqs with that degree. So that did decrease my costs somewhat.

I agree with the previous poster, you really need to shop around. There are plenty of online or mostly online RN to BSN programs that cost a fraction of what your college is quoting you.

[Hospice Nurse LPN, BSN, RN]

I'm doing a LPN/BSN bridge. We have classes 2 days/week and I work 2 days/week. I'm attending a universary that is about 1.5 hour commute. I, also, do not qualify for any assistance. I'm paying out-of-pocket right now, but may get a student loan my last semester. $30k does sound like a lot of money!

[chloecatrn]

RN to BSN at Clarion University. $8200/year for full time study, with program taking 2 years at the most. (There are courses you could probably transfer in from a community college, which would reduce your total time spent there.)

http://www.clarion.edu/7387/

I'll end up paying for my BSN with a combination of student loans and (hopefully) employer assistance.

[grandmawrinkle]

I was very lucky and had 100% employer funding for both the BSN and MSN (still finishing that) including books and fees. I have a federal job and they are known to have the best tuition reimbursement around. It's not unlimited --- they aren't going to give you 100K to go to the most expensive school out there -- but their funding covers most if not all of the tuition/books/fees at public/state schools. I believe my cap is 37K. If you can't get your BSN/MSN for that, you are paying too much IMO (some people want to pay the sticker price for prestigious schools....I'm not one of those.)

[SummerGarden, BSN, MSN, RN]

i'm working full-time and attending a rn-bsn program part-time. since i have chosen this route it has taken me two years to complete this degree not including the course work i began while attending my adn program, but i am nursing school debt free!

[Blouis, APRN]

Thanks to all that replied. I was checking into Chamberlain and Kaplan and those schools are around that price range. I will certainly check around. I like the idea of taking one or two classes a semester.That is better than not doing it or being in a use amount of debt.

[Jules A, MSN]

I only feel my BSN is worth it because it was the stepping stone I needed to pass on the way to get my MSN. Around here you only get $1 an hour more also. If you want to go into management at some point it will be worth it but I would not take out loans to do it. Any way you can take one class at a time and maybe pick up some tuition assistance from your full-time employer? I paid out of pocket for my BSN, with good old fashion savings, and will pay about 1/2 for my MSN, again no loans. Good luck.

[chloecatrn]

OP, I forgot to mention in my post that the program I'm doing is online, so it may be an option for you if you feel you could do an online program.

[NC Girl BSN]

My Rn-BSN program cost $2500 for 3 semesters. The hospital that I am working at is footing the bill. Try to find a cheaper program. I am going to a state supported college.

[classicdame, MSN, EdD]

I worked full time and my employer offered tuition reimbursement for BSN and then MSN. I recommend checking out state schools. You are paying taxes so that the tuition is cheaper for residents.