My Plan - Is it the wisest choice?

Compassion_x · Dec 9, 2012

I would do the ADN route, which is what I am planning to do. I did get accepted into a BSN program in my area... But $32,000 for two years, plus the $8000 I already have from prereqs (at the CC I'm attending for my LPN, then ADN) is just WAY too much for me.

NightNerd, MSN, RN · Dec 10, 2012

Another vote for ADN. Having a BSN would be nice, but right now my goal is to start working as a nurse; the higher levels of education are secondary right now. It sounds like you are in a similar mindset. The only thing I would check into first is whether any of your potential employers in the area require BSNs. Where I am, there is some pressure to have your BSN, although I don't believe most of our hospitals require it. If there are still postings around you for RNs, ADN or BSN, then get the two-year degree and see if you can't get your employer to pay for the BSN down the road.

P.S., congrats on starting your marriage and getting ready to do this next big thing in your life! New beginnings are always fun! :)

cyberia81 · Dec 11, 2012

Hi Compassion_x, and thank you for responding! How do you like the LPN program so far? Best of luck to you! :)

cyberia81 · Dec 11, 2012

Hi carakristin1! Thank you for your post.

Very good point. I have seen a few postings here and there for nurses with ADN qualifications, so hopefully that will still hold true when I graduate. It would be wonderful to find a hospital that offers tuition reimbursement.

Thank you in regards to your P.S. comment! I am definitely excited and looking forward to going back to school. I know that this will allow for a brighter future for my husband and me.

Best of luck to you! :)

NRKB, MSN, RN · Dec 11, 2012

I would just take out the loan and go for BSN if that is what you want to do. Just get it done with!! You may be able to get credit for the classes you've already taken with your first degree. When I get out of school, I will very much be in debt. And then I plan on going back to school for 3 more years after my RN! My middle name will be "Debt" but it will be worth it in the end. (crossing my fingers)

maddiem · Dec 11, 2012

Hello! I signed up here a while ago and now that my wedding is over and life is returning back to normal I am moving ahead with my plans. I am hoping some of you will have some insight and advice to share with me.
I have spent a lot of time mulling over various options. I currently have a bachelor's degree in education that was paid for via scholarship. Although I would love to get in an accelerated BSN program, there are none within a reasonable driving distance from my home. Plus, I need to continue working and that program requires me to be in class from Monday - Friday.
That led me to look into community colleges. I live in a very small city, so the upside is that the competition will be a little less steep. However, I am being told by the financial aid department that I have NO options for federal student aid. I would much rather pursue a federal loan vs. private loan. I estimate the amount necessary to be a little less than $8k to receive my ADN.
As part of the financial aid quandry, I started investigating other schools. UAH offers a BSN, but the tuition is quite a bit higher at $409 per credit hour vs. $109 at the community college. It would cost about $28k for me to get my BSN there.
I believe that the best course of action would be for me to get a private loan from a credit union and get my ADN from the community college. Then I can get to work (fingers crossed, anyway) and eventually work towards the BSN. Ultimately, I'd love to become an informatics nurse.
Does anyone think that the BSN is the better way to go? I don't think it is in my situation, and $28k worth of debt is absolutely frightening to me.
The only other option I see besides getting scholarships, which I am looking into as well, is the HRSA scholarship program. I do live in a shortage area, but the deadline has passed for 2012. I don't think I can stand waiting another year. I know that sounds bad, but it is the honest truth. My quest to become a nurse is all-consuming. Not only that, I don't know how likely it is that I would be awarded the HRSA scholarship.
Thank you for reading my lengthy post! Please feel free to share your story.

Check and see if there is a masters in nursing program for non-nurses. There are quite a few of them these days. It's a masters degree but it's for people who didn't major in nursing during their undergrad. So you will only need to do the nursing prerequisites at a community college which will most likely be A&P, chem, and micro. Good luck!

CarryThatWeight, BSN · Dec 11, 2012

It's disheartening to do all of the work required, pass the boards, and then not get a job because you have an ADN and most employers want a BSN. I would strongly encourage you to check out the job market where you want to live and work. In many cities, it's BSN only. You can also search allnurses and see that many new grads can't find work, even with a BSN. Unless you live in an area that hires ADN nurses and plans to continue to do so, I would not waste time with the ADN route.

loriinmd · Dec 11, 2012

I can only tell you what my situation and decision was. I have a B.S. in biology which was started eons ago and completed in 1995. My school is having trouble giving me student loans while I am not in the clinical program. Therefore I've decided to pay out of pocket for the pre-reqs I have to take (some are too old and repeats) and then I'm told that if I'm admitted to the clinical portion, they will give me student loans because then I'm on a viable career path. In my case, I chose this instead of BSN or MSN because I must work full-time while going to school and the only weekend/evening programs in my area are with community colleges. I'm single, own a home and don't want to make a complete lifestyle change in order to go to a day-time program. So this works for me. My school has a monthly payment option and while it's going to be tight for a while, it's doable. I may then end up getting my BSN or opting for an MSN program if I decide I want more schooling. I may be happy with the ADN at this late stage of life. We will see.

itsmejuli · Dec 11, 2012

Spend as little money as possible on your education, you don't want a pile of student debt hanging over your head.