I think I've decided to go the ASN route

Spunj13 · Apr 3, 2012

Its nice to see other people discussing the same issues I am going through. Out in Phoenix, where I am at, the community colleges are non-competitive entry so I have been on the wait list for almost two years. I already have a BA in counseling psych so naturally I want to find the quickest path. I have talked with other second BA BSN programs and the cost is huge compared to community colleges. 31,000 compared to 7,000 is quite a difference. So I recently decided to just go through the community college, I have mouths to feed too. Nice to see others making a similar choice.

Jake

Unknown member · Apr 3, 2012

Hi!

I will be graduating with my ASN in May. I have to agree that cost is a HUGE factor... I left UMass Lowell to go to a community college because it was far too expensive.

However, I want to give you some advice regarding "free time." Just because it's not an accelerated program, doesn't mean you will have ANY free time for ANYTHING besides nursing school. The ASN programs are very fast paced and time consuming. My program even required pre-reqs to be finished before nursing school and even with those classes out of the way, just the nursing courses alone took up a huge amount of time. I only work 8 hours a week (it's the only time I can), I have clinicals twice a week, class twice a week, used to have lab in previous semesters. My fourth semester is definitely the least time consuming, but boy the first 3 were BRUTAL! I noticed by your post that you think chosing an ASN over an ABSN will give you more free time, and I just wanted to let you know that you are wrong (in my opinion :) ). I don't think you should base your decision on "free time" because it seems as though in ANY nursing program, you have NONE! There are many parents in my program who miss recitals, chorus concerts, soccer games, etc. and it kills them, but you gotta do what you gotta do!

Best of luck to you!

ellelove · Apr 3, 2012

ryanalice-

this is so me!! however... i am on the west coast... but contemplating the SAME decision! how the semester schedules are like over here- i won't be able to start a community college program until fall 2013... which makes me wonder if an absn is a better choice since i already have a bachelor's and most state schools in california have closed their doors on absn programs for fall 2012 and all spring 2013 admissions in any subject is closed. so i am left with two options: fall 2013 for absn or fall 2013 for community colleges. fall 2013 for community colleges would be easier to fulfill the pre-reqs... but it makes me worry. what if even the community colleges don't want me?

all these absn courses and schedules sound so insane. i get nervous just thinking about how much i will have to apply myself and am not sure i can handle all that stress. and i don't have a lot of money and i don't want to add to my debt in insane amounts. and i most likely will have to move out of state to go to an absn school. i have a good deal with my rent situation here in california being that rent normally is outrageous for a small room! and there are two great community college schools within a 10 mile radius that are EXCELLENT. one is based on a point system and one on a lottery.

but then i hear on the news that there are hospitals that are shutting their doors on asn rns because there is a move towards hiring only rn's who have bsns and then i am right back into the boat of should i consider absn?

thanks for sharing about umass boston! i lived in boston this past summer with a friend who does live there (i am in her wedding this summer) and absolutely fell in love with everything boston!! i would very much like to move there... someday... maybe moving somewhere for an absn isn't such a good idea.

oh the decisions!

emcadams · Apr 3, 2012

I am making the same decision! I got into a associates program and a bsn program. I haven't made it official, but the asn seems the best path for now. The bsn program is an hour away and costs almost twice as much. I already have a bachelors in history and English...I have a LOT of loan debt already. I have enough saved to pay my first year of asn, and I will b working as a cna part time. I'm 27. I just want to work. The msn program costs 40k at my local university. I wont be wanting to pay that anytime soon!

DTWriter · Apr 3, 2012

For those with non-nursing BS degrees and have families, I would suggest doing a 2-year BSN program over doing an ADN program. Doesn't the ADN route take 2 years? If so, why take 2 years to do the ASN route and then take a 1 year or 2 years to do a BSN program (Plan A) when you can spend the first 2 years doing the BSN part-time program (Plan B)? Doing Plan A would lead to more debt since you end up paying off loans for two programs instead of just one, and by the time you do a BSN program using Plan A, the tuition rate for whichever BSN program you go to will be higher then if you had gone to the program two years earlier.

Furthermore, more and more health care establishments are requiring their registered nurses to have at least a BSN degree. As mentioned before, an ADN degree will limit the places you can work as a registered nurse.

PMFB-RN, RN · Apr 3, 2012

I already have a Bachelor's in another field and have been trying to decide between getting an ASN at a local community college, or an accelerated BSN program.
I went to an info night at a school tonight for their accelerated BSN program (Umass Boston). All they talked about was how intensive it is, how you can't do anything else for those 15 months, how you usually don't qualify for a lot of financial aid for a 2nd bachelors, etc. etc. Sigh.
There were some things I liked about it. The campus was gorgeous, the professors seemed caring and smart, and of course I'd love to be able to get my Bachelor's in the same amount of time (since I already know I want to go on to advance practice nursing.)
But it sounds like it would just be too crazy. Maybe if I was 22, and could live on my parents' couch for a couple years. But I'm 33 - with 2 kids - and bills. I guess I need to be smart, and pick the option that will allow me to have some sanity, and some balance in my life. So I think I'm going to go the ASN route and then hopefully I can find a job and start working towards the bachelors at that point. I think I'm making the best choice for me.

*** Couple things. One you do NOT need a BSN to become an advanced practice nurse. You already have a bachelors degree and if you do ASN you can get into many or most advanced practice programs with that.

Second have you considered their non accelerated, traditional BSN program? I know several nurses with previous bachelors degrees who did that and ontained their BSN in 20 months in the non accelerated BSN program.

To me the money is huge. Grad nurses don't get paid very much and a lot of student debt will crush the life out of you.

ryanalice · Apr 3, 2012

I understand what you're saying DTWriter, and I wish I could do it that way, but I just don't think it will be possible. The accelerated BSN programs around here are very intensive and you can't work even part time or do anything else during it. If I had a free place to live for 2 years, no kids, etc. I would do it - but I think I'm going to have to go the ASN route. I know it will still be hard, but it definitely seems more manageable. Plus, the community college tuition is way less and yes I will still have to pay at some point for a "RN to BSN" or "RN to MSN" Bridge - but who knows, maybe I can that online, part time, or even get some reimbursement from my job at that point...

DTWriter · Apr 3, 2012

I understand what you're saying DTWriter, and I wish I could do it that way, but I just don't think it will be possible. The accelerated BSN programs around here are very intensive and you can't work even part time or do anything else during it. If I had a free place to live for 2 years, no kids, etc. I would do it - but I think I'm going to have to go the ASN route. I know it will still be hard, but it definitely seems more manageable. Plus, the community college tuition is way less and yes I will still have to pay at some point for a "RN to BSN" or "RN to MSN" Bridge - but who knows, maybe I can that online, part time, or even get some reimbursement from my job at that point...

Good idea. Considering your situation, I support you doing the ASN route, then doing the "RN to MSN" Bridge route but only if you are confident that you can use your ASN in the area you plan to work in while pursing a MSN.

P.S.: Keep in mind that this plan would take at least 6 years to complete if you do a 2 year ASN program followed by the standard 4 year "RN to MSN" Bridge program; however, if you can afford to take 6 years to get your MSN, go for it.

RCBR · Apr 3, 2012

Here in St Louis tuition for the cheapest BSN program (the one I am doing, at a state university) cost 32K, and that is just for the nursing courses; it assumes you have all your prereqs. Tuition for the ADN program at the St Louis Community College is just over 6K, total. At the hospital where I work as a tech 80% of the new GNs have ADNs. They told me they had no problems finding jobs in acute care at all, and none of them excelled in school or had prior health care experience. Bottom line: I FEEL LIKE A TOTAL FOOL SPENDING 32K FOR A NURSING LICENSE THAT I COULD HAVE OBTAINED FOR 6K!

bcandygurl · Apr 3, 2012

Not all RN to MSN programs take 4 years...depends on what your previous degree was in..also there is a lot more financial aid available going the ASN route..I'm a second degree nursing student and I haven't paid anything so far with tuition reimbursement from my job and scholarships from my local community college..the ASN route works for me as I can't afford to let go of my full time job. It is alot of work though!!!

booboo123 · Apr 3, 2012

I agree with bcandygurl about the financial assistance. Look around, ASN offers many FA opportunities.

creativemom44023 · Apr 4, 2012

Okay here's my two cents --> OO

Typically RN and RN/BSN don't make too much of a difference in money (that's at UH, CCF, Metro, etc). The difference is in hiring. I see RN/BSN's get hired first, they are more marketable and if you want to become an ANM or NM you now are required to obtain a RN/BSN.

Don't waste your time with LPN. You pretty much won't get a nursing job with that, most major hospitals place you into "STNA" positions but with a teeny better hourly pay. You really don't get to do any "nursing" like RN's or RN/BSN's. Most major hospitals are looking to not hire LPN's now.

With that said, if you get an RN degree (associates) in two years then you can start your job and then hopefully your employer will pay for your BSN. Most RN to BSN programs are mostly online, huge advantage for working parents! So this is the plus for those folks with bills and/or no previous bachelor's degree.

Okay so on the flip side, if you have a bachelor's degree, it's logical that if you are going to go to school for two years, you might as well get your RN/BSN, right? Why go get your RN (associates) and then have to do another 1-2 years to get your BSN after that? Plus many schools will make you WAIT for one whole year (to gain experience) before you can then enter into the BSN program. So there's something to think about too.

My last thought is that no matter which school you go to you will be killing yourself at times - it's nursing school! :) But in the end it's all worth it. Time management is key here, along with studying all the time whenever you can. I'm a mom, work full time and go to school full time and went through a wicked divorce - it's possible. Really.

Remember RN's and RN/BSN's take the same NCLEX test so it's not easy. It's doable though. You still can have a life and be there for your kids but you'll have to make personal sacrificies like cutting out TV, reading fun books and other things you can do without for awhile. Remember, it's only TWO years. Small sacrifice to get a great job with good pay and you can't beat the schedule of working only 3 qty 12 hours a week. Right?

Best of luck to you!

Oh and by the way I have yet to see any difference in pay amongst those who went to really expensive schools verses local colleges. So save yourself money and go to a reputable college but one that is the least expensive! :)