63K ABSN - Yes or No?

Enarra, BSN, RN · May 18, 2020

If it were me I’d save that $63K as a Downpayment for an apt or house. I would enroll in a community college nearby do an associates in nursing graduate take state boards, start working and then finish the BSN online or in person at an in state college. Sure the prerequisites might take longer but you’d save a ton of money. My $6000 associates in nursing degree will earn the same amount as that $63k BSN.

Good luck

turtlesRcool · May 18, 2020

That's a really high price for a nursing program. I wouldn't pay that unless I were rich or had no other alternatives. Now is a great time to research different programs. Many states have community colleges with stellar reputations and low price tags. Yes, the good programs tend to be competitive, but please at least look into them.

Alternately, have you looked to see what your state universities might offer? My state has two ABSN programs at public universities.

It might also be possible for you to gain admission to a state school as an undergraduate transfer student in the traditional nursing program. It would probably be about 2 years (plus prerequisites) to go that route, but you'd come out of it with a much cheaper BSN. Lots of people overlook this option because they're looking for a self-contained program, like an ABSN, but a little more digging on your part might find a reputable affordable option.

Before you plunk down that kind of cash on an ABSN, look to see what other options are out there.

Guest1142305 · May 19, 2020

How much will you lose by taking an extra year to graduate? That’s the trade off between the absn vs the ADN, assuming you have the ability to complete the absn.

taliaro · May 23, 2020

63k for a 12-month program is about average - for an accredited program at a reputable school. Mine is more expensive than that, and some even go over 100k. It is 100% a question of how valuable your time is to you and how quickly you need this done. For me, the steep price was worth it, as I cannot afford to be in school for x amount of years. Similar to you, I did not have debt from my first degree. There are so many options out there, and all the PPs are right in saying there are cheaper, slower programs, that will ultimately lead to the same outcome. I’m just saying it’s OK to take the quick/expensive route too; quite a few do, because that is what works best for our specific situations. Hope this helps

blueskiesandsunshine.prn · May 29, 2020

Save the 63k. My traditional BSN program is only going to end up costing me 20k for four years (includes room & board). General rule of thumb, never go into debt more than you will be making your very first year out of nsg school. 63k is right on that line and for someone older, I think it would be wise to use it on a house, car, wedding, trip, or extra savings!

Guest1142305 · May 29, 2020

14 minutes ago, blueskiesandsunshine.PRN said:
Save the 63k. My traditional BSN program is only going to end up costing me 20k for four years (includes room & board). General rule of thumb, never go into debt more than you will be making your very first year out of nsg school. 63k is right on that line and for someone older, I think it would be wise to use it on a house, car, wedding, trip, or extra savings!

Terrible advice. A 4 year BSN at $20,000 vs a 1 year ABSN at $63,000 is $132,000 in lost wages assuming $65,000 in RN salary. The ABSN wins hands down.

blueskiesandsunshine.prn · May 29, 2020

5 minutes ago, anewmanx said:
Terrible advice. A 4 year BSN at $20,000 vs a 1 year ABSN at $63,000 is $132,000 in lost wages assuming $65,000 in RN salary. The ABSN wins hands down.

My parents are fully supporting me while I am in school and I'm working as a PCT for experience and "fun" money. I guess I should've added that as a disclaimer because I don't care too much about my lost wages (& I myself thankfully won't have to take on any loans). I'm also 20 years old and don't have a previous bachelor's.

Guest1142305 · May 29, 2020

1 minute ago, blueskiesandsunshine.PRN said:
My parents are fully supporting me while I am in school and I'm working as a PCT for experience and "fun" money. I guess I should've added that as a disclaimer because I don't care too much about my lost wages (& I myself thankfully won't have to take on any loans).

That makes a huge difference. The added value of free rent and side money definitely changes the calculations, but I still proffer the faster route as economically superior.

DirtyVA · May 31, 2020

Do the ADN. You have a degree in Hotel Management so I am assuming you probably took some type of budgeting or finance classes? Do a basic cost benefit analysis and time value of money, etc. Disclaimer, I am an MPA and an MHA, I have that background and I have done that analysis.

Many here at ALLRNs have asked your question or something similar to it over the years. The old, "save your money and go to a CC for 12K for the whole program, etc..." Good luck on getting into that CC with all their crazy point schemes based on: 1) must have high GPA, 2) high TEAS/HESI, 3) prior degree, 4) all classes taken at the school, 5) total point ranked admit list, etc. and one per year starts with a whopping 20-40 students per class. It's a roll of the dice if you even get in each year. What if it takes you 5 years to get in, how much money/promotion/salary increase lost is that? I don't know where you as an individual are as far as points but food for thought. Also, the mentality of the instructors at a high cost for-profit school vs. a state school is miles apart. The people at the for-profit school want you to succeed. If you succeed, they succeed. It is in their interest for you to graduate and pass NCLEX. At the state school, their salaries are paid by taxes. If you wash out they still get paid. Many times they could care less and expect to weed people out. They care about you in an abstract way, but it's different for people whose job and bonus depends on you being a success.

Also, the old argument about a college degree, "don't go into more debt than you will make one year out of school" is ancient history, like since the 1970s or 1980s. The business and business people that provide that service, "higher education," have figured it out and they have gamed the system. Hence the explosive rise of the for-profit-schools. They know very well how much $$$ they can squeeze out of you thanks to "guaranteed federal aid" courtesy of the US Government/Our elected law makers. They know what people will pay and can pay, or will be made to pay (by force of the US government if needed) if they sign on the dotted line and take out that financial aid/loans. This applies to for-profit schools and not-for profit, State schools. If you can get any degree that will earn you a salary thats worth a hoot or has any kind of prestige or upward mobility with the cost being = to first year salary, my hats off to you, go for it and good luck.

Cmor · May 31, 2020

Thank you so much for the thorough advice! Yeah I was crunching the numbers and seems to make more sense to go the accelerated route.

One question here, I know you started off saying do the ADN.. Did you mean BSN by chance?

DirtyVA · May 31, 2020

If you can do the BSN right away then go for it. The thing is ADNs tend to be a little shorter and you can start working sooner. But there in again is a trade off, because some environments want BSN (Accredited hospitals), some places it doesn't matter (rural, fly over states, LTC, etc.)