Is an ABSN program worth the debt?

ThatChickOmi, ADN, RN · Apr 1, 2019

I'd go with the ADN route.

Think about it. You're likely not going to make $110-130K in your first year as a nurse, why would you do that to yourself? You can get your ADN for probably $10-12K, and then get BSN for less than that online. I mean if you have money like that to throw around, knock yourself out....It just does not seem financially smart, especially considering the debt you already have.

**NICU Guy, BSN, RN** · Apr 1, 2019

9 hours ago, Stella36 said:
The ABSN programs run from 60k-80k

Is this a public school or private school? My public ABSN program cost about $20k. My niece went to a private ABSN program at the same time and it cost her $64k. I wouldn't go $60-80k in debt for a program.

Stella36 · Apr 1, 2019

They are private schools i wish i could find a public school but i would probably have to be a resident there before applying.

TheDudeWithTheBigDog, ADN, RN · Apr 1, 2019

5 hours ago, ThatChickOmi said:
I'd go with the ADN route.
Think about it. You're likely not going to make $110-130K in your first year as a nurse, why would you do that to yourself? You can get your ADN for probably $10-12K, and then get BSN for less than that online. I mean if you have money like that to throw around, knock yourself out....It just does not seem financially smart, especially considering the debt you already have.

If this is the metric that you're going to go by, then almost nobody should go to college, ever. Realistically, you're not going to make the cost of most bachelor's degrees in your first year.

What you have to focus on is what are you willing to pay back? You're going to have a bill every month for years. Do you need a brand new $30K SUV, or can you get by with a $5K used car? Do you have to have a 4 bedroom house on 2 acres, or are you content in an apartment?

At that cost for school, you're not going to live in luxury. You can be very comfortable and have nice things, but buying that 60 inch TV is going to take a few months of planning and saving. Impulse buying just isn't going to happen.

The only person who can answer if it's worth it is you. Look into the repayment options and get an idea of the cost every month, and decide from there if you're willing to give up some things to pay it. It's far from impossible to repay $100K, but you have to be willing to actually repay it.

Matthew RN, MSN · Apr 1, 2019

3 hours ago, Stella36 said:
They are private schools i wish i could find a public school but i would probably have to be a resident there before applying.

This doesn't quite make sense to me. Where are you currently a resident at? Whichever state you are currently a resident find a public school in that state. Public school is tens of thousands of dollars cheaper than private schools.

Stella36 · Apr 1, 2019

10 minutes ago, Matthew RN said:
This doesn't quite make sense to me. Where are you currently a resident at? Whichever state you are currently a resident find a public school in that state. Public school is tens of thousands of dollars cheaper than private schools.

I'm a Washington state resident but there is only one Absn program here that is very difficult to get into so I need to apply out of state in order to have a good chance of getting into nursing school

Matthew RN, MSN · Apr 1, 2019

2 hours ago, Stella36 said:
I'm a Washington state resident but there is only one Absn program here that is very difficult to get into so I need to apply out of state in order to have a good chance of getting into nursing school

OK, makes more sense. I would compare costs for the ABSN vs. traditional BSN programs at public schools.

Also, you might look at ABSN programs and see if they qualify for the Western Undergraduate Exchange, western states public schools will give a discount for tuition as long as you stay in the west (I've attached a pic).

Stella36 · Apr 1, 2019

Thank you! We are trying to move back closer to family on the east coast so I will look into those options but I'm really tired of living so far away from everyone. I'm just trying to see all my options and go from there.

**NICU Guy, BSN, RN** · Apr 2, 2019

17 hours ago, Stella36 said:
Thank you! We are trying to move back closer to family on the east coast so I will look into those options but I'm really tired of living so far away from everyone. I'm just trying to see all my options and go from there.

Then look for schools closer to the east coast. Finding a cheaper ABSN program that you incur less debt for 2 yrs will be less stressful in the long run than having many years of massive student loan debt to pay off.

Golden_RN, MSN · Apr 2, 2019

Since you already have quite a bit of debt, if it were me, I would do an ADN program at a public community college. Since you want to start a family in the next 5 years, that hopefully gives you enough time to complete pre-reqs and a 2 year program.

If you choose the ABSN route, look for a public university.

verene, MSN · Apr 3, 2019

Either go ADN or traditional BSN as a post-bacc or look for a cheaper ABSN. I know UW's program is both insanely competitive and expensive, but it may still work out financially to go out of state to a different public school - even if you aren't a resident.

Also if you know you want to end up on the east cost - look at programs there as well, and what it would cost both with and with out residency (as well as residency requirements - it could work to move now and get a job for a year for residency, particularly if it opens up school options and lower tuition down the road).