Linfield Accelerated prgram worth the tuition?

OregonBSN · May 27, 2008

Hey ! 38 isn't that old - I'm 36!

My wife and I really weighed the costs before I decided to go to Linfield. It is a private college, so obviously tuition will always be more than a community college. For us the shorter 18 month program was worth the cost tuition. I am seriously considering a graduate degree in the future so having a BSN was important. For me it was also one thing less I had to worry about down the road, one less year I would have to go to school. The more expensive tuition was worth saving an extra year.

True BSN & ADN RNs pay about the same, but then a BSN will have more options already open in comparison to ADN. How much do ADN to BSN programs cost? It is probably still a little cheaper than Linfield, but in the end will the extra year in school be worth saving the money up front? For me the answer was no, I wanted to get in, learn and become an RN as fast as possible.

100% NCLEX pass rates at the community colleges is pretty stellar, but in the end I think it still boils down to how well the student prepared for test as an individual.

I talked with a recent Linfield graduate on this site. He said he really enjoyed the program. He mentioned that community health is a part of the curriculum but it is definitely not the focus. Everyone has the opportunity to do hospital based care as well.

One thing I felt is a plus for the accelerated program is that everyone already has a Bachelors - this means the cohort will probably skew a little older. I think it will help the class relate to each other a little easier. And I'll admit my social life now is a little different in comparison to when I was in my 20's! It will be a fun a diverse group and it would be great to have a fellow Beaver in class!

BSN2010 · May 27, 2008

I completely agree with LinfieldNursingGuy. I am in the same boat as him in that I know I will eventually go on to higher education (masters or Ph.D.) so it is worth it to me to complete a BSN right away. I would look closely into the costs of RN to BSN bridge programs. My husband was thinking about that route (community college and then go back for a BSN later) and I remember him mentioning that they were quite expensive for 1 year. I cannot remember the exact costs he mentioned (this was a while back) but I want to say something like $10,000? I could be very wrong on that number though. Take a look at the prices of these bridge programs.

That being said, you might be able to find a hospital that will pay for their RNs to return to school for BSNs. Either way is, of course, doable and just requires one to determine if time or finance is more important at the moment. One thing I've noticed about Linfield is that they have a very dedicated financial aid staff team and include on their web page a whole list of resources for loan forgiveness programs (and there are a lot - federal level, state level, military/air force/navy, even Legacy hospital system will pay $8000 towards tuition loans on top of wage). I too was concerned about the money until I realized that, unlike most professions, there will be plenty of opportunities to have my loan forgiven if I feel that I've had it around too long. Good luck on your decisions!! It's a stressful time for sure!

BSN2010 · May 27, 2008

One last thought. If you look at the class schedule for community colleges, about 12 units out of the 15-17/quarter is nursing classes, the last units are dedicated to support and pre-req classes (microbiology, writing, etc) so if you have these done before starting the program you will have more free time. The accelerated program as 15-17 units of nursing classes and no time for support classes. Personally it would drive me nuts to be "half into" nursing classes when I could be in full time, get the schooling done, and start my real education in the hospital. However, I don't have kids and I think the CC route would be a great way for someone who has children to take care of. Or if finances are important, it allows some extra time to have a bit of a job while in school and further reduce loan load. Just another thought for consideration.

Dental Hygienist · May 28, 2008

I think if you crunch the numbers you'll still find out that you come out ahead (financially) going to community college...even WITH the longer program. Even if you later choose to do a ADN-BSN bridge you'll still be ahead financially...however money isn't everything....perhaps it is worth it to YOU to get it done sooner and just get the BSN out of the way in 18 months... instead of 2 years for ADN then ANOTHER year for BSN. I can't say I disagree and if I could do it that way, I probably would. (except I don't even HAVE a bachelor's yet:crying2:)

I'm hoping to get into MHCC....their cost including tuition fees and books is quoted at $7,610 for the 6 terms (21 months) let's round it up to $8,000. Now, let's say tuition, fees and books for Linfield for 18 mos comes out to be $40,000 (looks to me like tuition alone for ONE year is quoted over $27,000). So, then that is a difference of $32,000 between the 2 schools. Then you have to factor in that the Linfield grad gets to start working as a RN 3 months sooner so 3 months worth of wages at 36 hours a week at $30 an hour is roughly $14,000 so now we're down to a difference of $18,000...if a person isn't interested in the BSN then BAM!-they've just saved $18,000...if they ARE planning to go on for their BSN then you can probably accomplish that for about $9,000 with a savings of $9,000.

Now....I'll be the first to admit that is a long, slow painful way to save $9,000...but for many people that savings is worth it.

I'm sure Linfield is a great program...the difference in NCLEX pass rates probably has less to do with the teaching quality and more to do with the stiff competition for the seats in Community College programs....basically since SO many people want into the cheap ADN programs at CCs....the faculty gets to pick the cream of the crop and basically just START with better students (Absolutely NO offense is intended to Linfield students and alumni...just a numbers game).

Anways...it's basically up to you. What do you have more of, money or time? I don't think you'll ever be sorry you got your BSN...so basically do you want to pay an extra $9K to get it in 18 months...or do you want to save the money and get it in 3 years? It's a personal choice.

2xtrouble · May 28, 2008

It is a tough call. And maybe just a mental exercise since I haven't gotten into a CC yet (interview tomorrow at Clackamas - fingers crossed!).

Financially it seems like an easy decision, and the time issue isn't a difficult one either - I have four kids, and the ability to spend the summers with them ranks right up there so I would gladly take a bit longer to do the program if it means I have the summers with my kiddos...

What I am really looking for is the justification for Linfield's cost. Of course if I don't get into Clackamas I will GLADLY head off to Linfield in June... but given the choice of the two it is a difficult decision.

Thanks for the help :)

BSN2010 · May 28, 2008

Great analysis Dental Hygienist, I always forget to factor in the amount of money one makes as an RN after graduation, that's a good point.

2xtrouble, it sounds like you have your mind made up and you are just nervous about getting in. I think that it's a great plan and it would be fantastic to have extra time with your kids. Justification for the tuition is hard, my husband works with some Linfield students at his CNA job and hears the common complaint that they pay a lot of money in tuition and yet don't really feel it's reflected in the Portland campus (maybe a lot of that money goes back to McMinnville?) I didn't really like hearing that complaint but in the grand picture of things it is still a great school and I still think their program is the best choice for me. Good luck on your interview, I'm sure you'll do fine... if you've been accepted into one place your chances are pretty high you'll be accepted into others as well!

OregonBSN · Jun 5, 2008

I agree, great analysis DH.

Leaninstreet · Jun 18, 2008

Sorry that I'm a little slow to respond to this post. I have been crazily busy lately. I recently graduated from Linfield and feel it was worth it. However, I am a little biased because my dad is an employee at the McMinnville campus so I essentially got free tuition (ducks and hides).

The quality of education was great and you get amazing opportunities at clinicals if you get good reviews from previous sites.

We seem to have a pretty good reputation in the industry from what I have heard so far. For me it wasn't an issue, I was simply going to get my bachelors no matter what. Plus I am planning on starting my masters in 1-2 years. Let me know if you have any other questions!

And that is funny you mention the older crowd, the age of the students has definitely increased since they went to a transfer only school. However, I would say their is enough variety for both the older and younger students among us.