Need some advice: BSN (Nova) vs RN (Edison/FSW)

[bombaychaat]

Hi everyone! I live in Ft Myers, FL and am currently a pre-nursing student. I have more than enough credits to go right into a BSN program. I am just finishing 2 prereqs now. Here is my issue. I live in an area that has 3 nursing schools: Edison State College (now known as FSW), Nova Southeastern, and FGCU. I am an older student with 2 kids. I went to school way bacin 1997-2000. Just started again last fall. When I went before, I did not do that well (too busy having fun) and my gpa was less than 3.0 Since returning my gpa is 4.0 and my pre-req gpa is 3.54. My cum gpa is 3.06.

So- I really don't think I have a shot at FGCU. Also- their application deadlines are set up so that I cannot apply until next fall.

That leaves me with FSW/Edison or Nova. Here is the complicated part. Edison has an RN program and an RN to BSN program. If it that route, it will take 2 years to do the RN. I could then work and take the RN to BSN while working. If you do the RN to BSN full time there are several additional pre-reqs and after that it takes 2 years (going full time). If that is even possible with a job and 2 kids and a house, etc. So- a little more than 4 years to go to get BSN but at a state school cost.

OR- I could fork out the $26,000 per year and go to Nova. If I got in I would have a BSN in 2.5 years. I would be paying off student loans forever. Lol!

Any advise? Pay the money or take twice as long? Thanks everyone!

[ThatBigGuy]

I would pay the money and just grab that BSN. Who knows what life might throw at your between your RN and your BSN? Besides, you can offset that student loan payment by working two years sooner.