I have a Bachelor degree in Business going for Nursing

melmarie23, MSN, RN · Sep 20, 2009

you can either do a direct entry BSN program or a direct entry Masters program.

One thing to keep in mind. If you were planning on taking out federal student loans, you won't qualify for any if you go the BSN route since you already hold a bachelor's degree. That is one of the reason's why I went the direct entry Master's route.

KT17 · Sep 20, 2009

I have to disagree about the loans. I finished a Bachelor's in Business in 2005 and entered an ABSN program this fall. I do not qualify for federal or state grants but I do qualify for federal loans. As far as I know, most of us received $12,500 in stafford loans (part subsidized and part unsubsidized) for the first year.

muscadinewine · Sep 21, 2009

I'd go for the ASN because it's only two years of training before you can work and most likely it'll be cheaper too (mine at community college is 2,000 a semester vs. 4,000 at a university I looked into). If you decide nursing is the job you love, you can always complete the BSN or higher later.

melmarie23, MSN, RN · Sep 22, 2009

I have to disagree about the loans. I finished a Bachelor's in Business in 2005 and entered an ABSN program this fall. I do not qualify for federal or state grants but I do qualify for federal loans. As far as I know, most of us received $12,500 in stafford loans (part subsidized and part unsubsidized) for the first year.

Sorry, I would like to amend what I said earlier. For Staffords the max you can get is $8500 in subsidized and $12000 in unsubsidized. Grad students get the full amount for both.

So going for another Bachelors limits the amount that you could potentially qualify for.

Adams_Mama_07 · Sep 22, 2009

I am in a similar situation as you, graduated with a B.A. History and am now pursuing nursing. I weighed the pros and cons of all four possibilities, ADN, ABSN, BSN, or accelerated MSN. I decided against the BSN and ABSN for the limitation on financial resources by virtue of having a bachelor's already and the drives were long. I decided against the MSN because of the drive and the fact I couldn't be employed during due to the sheer (and rightfully so) intensity. I have elected to the ADN and then will do ADN-MSN (or ADN-BSN, then MSN--whichever I decide to do in a year and a half). It's cheaper, takes about the same amount of time (I'm not quibbling over 1-2 semesters), and I won't have to take out any more student loans--everything I can pay out of pocket. I also can complete non-nursing courses for pre-med in case I decide I want to do Med school instead of the MSN program. Becoming an RN will clarify which course I want to undertake. But I also have a really good job right now and if I can't get hired at a Magnet hospital because of the ADN, I can complete the BSN while currently working at my present job so that I will be hireable a year later.

In summary, I would say look at your situation. Can you afford to pay for the BSN outright? Do you care if you add anymore loan debt? Do you need to be employed during school? What are the proximity of the programs? A lot of people on here advise if you want advance practice, get the BSN, but if there are other concerns the ADN doesn't limit you from getting an RN-BSN nor eventually a MSN. And with a Bachelor's already you can always do ADN-MSN after graduation as well. But I would, if I could, do the BSN over the ADN but it would not be fiscally responsible on my end and I will achieve the end result regardless.

Hope this helps.

nhmilky · Sep 24, 2009

Thank you all for your responds. I have a clear answer now after your inputs. Really thank you again from the bottom of my heart.