Need advice..what program to pursue??

caliotter3 · Mar 25, 2011

See if the other program will give you enough aid to cover your expenses. Otherwise, go with the MSN program because your eventual goal is to teach. The sooner you get the MSN done, the cheaper and the better, time-wise.

Dalla · Mar 25, 2011

What do you want to teach part-time? Nursing? You need an MSN for that, so the only option would be XU. $23,000 for the ASN sounds rather expensive. I got my ASN from the local tech school and it cost me about $8,000. And that is only for the ASN. You talk about how intense the programs are. Do you have a husband? Children? Full-time job? If not, go straight for the MSN and get it over with. When I add up all the money I have spent on getting my education, I cringe. The $43,000 for a MSN doesn't sound so bad when you break it down.

OhIseeLil · Mar 25, 2011

What do you want to teach part-time? Nursing? You need an MSN for that, so the only option would be XU. $23,000 for the ASN sounds rather expensive. I got my ASN from the local tech school and it cost me about $8,000. And that is only for the ASN. You talk about how intense the programs are. Do you have a husband? Children? Full-time job? If not, go straight for the MSN and get it over with. When I add up all the money I have spent on getting my education, I cringe. The $43,000 for a MSN doesn't sound so bad when you break it down.

Thank you for your input. That's another thing I forgot to include..I'm married with a 2 yr old and with no family to help me out in terms of babysitting. We barely make ends meet with our current income (I'm working part-time from home) so I can't imagine how tough it will be living on hubby's income alone and putting the baby in daycare for the 1st time. My hubby made a good point though when he said that regardless of what program I decide to pursue, we're still going to make a lot of sacrifices so why not just get the BSN and MSN out of the way at once? I am still struggling with the idea of how much debt we'll be getting into. Christ School of Nursing is indeed expensive and partly because they do rolling admission (no waiting list!) whereas our community colleged here have at least a 2 yr wait. Both UC and XU recommend their student not to work during the whole length of the program because of how intense it is. It makes me really scared actually since I occupy my time chasing around my toddler.

acceleratedbsn · Mar 25, 2011

I completed my masters in health related field and search on this topic lead to the following 6 options. Please guide me. Thanks.

1. Join for a CNA certification program, get certification and work in a hospital. while you earn some bucks join for a LPN course. take NCLEX-PN and then join for an ADN progrm, get the RN.

2. Join directly to LPN course and get Nclex-PN. Join ADN program, work as an LPN earn some bucks.take Nclex and get the RN.

3. Work as a CNA directly without certification ( donot know if this is possible)/ Get certification and then work. Earn while you study for an ADN program and finally get the RN.

4. Join directly to ADN program, 2 years no earning + 10k expenses. take Nclex and get the RN.

5.Join for a accelerated BSN. 1 year no earning +35k expenses, Take Nclex and get the RN.

6. Join for PA progrm. 2 year no earning + 65k expenses, take PANCE exam and get the PA.

I am looking for earn while you study option (coz of family) even if the duration of program is lengthy.

Would like to know if theres any age limit for NCLEX? I read someone took it for 10 times. :uhoh3: . Thanks again.

droider · Mar 25, 2011

Just remember that you have to pay back what you spend... If I was you I would get my RN at a community college and get everything else at a nicer place.

OhIseeLil · Mar 25, 2011

The biggest problem with community colleges is the waiting list. I am already in my 30's and don't want to wait 2 years to start the program and another 2 yrs to finish it. I think that serves as the main advantage of these Accelerated programs too. If only there's a cheaper/affordable nursing school that doesn't have a waiting list, I would definitely consider it.

SchoolNurseChristine · Mar 25, 2011

Hi there! I went to XU but I graduated from their BSN program, not the MSN. I do know that the MSN is a wonderful program! I'm not sure what the NCLEX pass rate was for the 2010 class but for the year before it was 100%. There are a lot of the same professors for the BSN and the MSN and they are all amazing and you learn a lot from them. It is very intense though so be prepared for that.

My preceptor for my role transition senior year was an instructor for Christ and from what she told me it was a good program but I really don't know much other than that.

I don't know anything about UC, but of course graduating from Xavier I have a pretty strong bias towards XU

Best of luck with your decision!! :redbeathe

pancano · Mar 25, 2011

I will be graduating from a community college in May with an ADN, also with a a BS in something else.

You need to consider do you have other student loans from first degree? Can you handle more debt, even with a better paying career?

I also looked into other programs like Advanced BSN's for those that hold a B.S. in something else beside nursing, etc.

I choose to go with community college, I finished all pre-reqs first which I did part-time while working (took 2 yrs since I was 3 months pregnant with first child & gave birth during that time). That allowed me to wait the 2 years back log at my area community colleges (same situation as yours). Then got into the nursing program and only had my nursing classes left to do. Looking back I am glad that I did it this way ($$ reasons, and time issues with also raising a small child, she is now 3 yrs old and I had family to babysit for free).

It also allowed me more time to study and get a quality education, I have had lots of friends who didn't finish all pre-reqs first and struggled during semesters, some did not make it because of time issues with family, children, and all those classes. Let me tell you that I graduated with honors the first time, going to school full time like most out of high school students, and I thought nursing classes were about 3 x harder than any business class that I took the first time around. I have a newfound respect for nurses, especially those who attend school while trying to take care of a family.

You won't qualify for financial aid if you are pursuing an Associates since you already have a Bachelor's, so be careful about what financial aid you are being promised at the first school. I don't know if there would be a ladder type of financial aid for the other programs since you would be getting a BS and MSN at the same time.

Heidi the nurse, BSN, RN · Mar 25, 2011

I am planning to go back to school too, and learned about this program on the specialty board (I am considering getting my ARNP).

http://www.hrsa.gov/loanscholarships/index.html

I am lucky in that several of the Washington State areas are very close to me. I don't know if the program will continue with the current budget cuts (since its a federal program who knows) or if there are any hospitals etc in the OP's are, but it is something I am seriously thinking of doing.

pancano · Mar 25, 2011

Be carefule with ARNP, because a whole new set of laws are coming up within like 2 -3 years. I am not sure but look into it, I think some nurse practitioner's will need a doctorate after 2013? not sure the year. I heard this from other nurses getting a master's as a NP.

I know nurse anesthesiologist will require a doctorate as of 2025, so that gives you a few more years to complete your degrees.

acceleratedbsn · Mar 26, 2011

......:)......