Need some input please.

[Pjones71]

I am an aspiring nurse at 46. I've been working as an Ophthalmic Technician for 14 yrs and decided to pursue a career in the same field but more in depth caring for patients. I came across Chamberlain University while I'm searching for universities and community colleges. They are offering a BSN degree in 3 yrs at a cost. Factoring in my age and the mandated situation in hospitals for ADNs to acquire their BSNs. Would you recommend paying 88K for a Bachelor's degree? We are not rich by any means , just a very supportive husband.

[cleback]

What are your other options? 88k is a lot. I paid 24k for a bsn.

[beekee]

I paid less than $15k for my ADN, BSN and MSN. And I started my ASN after age 40 and did all three degrees in 3 years. At your age, and really, at any age, $88k is way too much.

[Ambersmom, BSN, RN]

$88k seems awfully expensive for a bsn, I think mine going to a commuter school was half of that, probably less than half of that. I would explore other programs cost before committing.

[beekee]

Have you done the math to figure out much the monthly loan payments will be? It's around $900 per month for 10 years if you borrow $88,000. That's $900 per month you are not contributing towards retirement. Depending on your wage when you start, that could be one week a month or more you'll be working for that loan payment.

[Pjones71]

]I paid less than $15k for my ADN, BSN and MSN. And I started my ASN after age 40 and did all three degrees in 3 years. At your age, and really, at any age, $88k is way too much.

I feel that with me starting late at my age 3 yrs for getting a BSN might be worth it. I have to wait for acceptance in the Fall for my ADN in the community college I'm in. But defenitely getting some advise from actual nurses is enlightening me. Thanks!

[Pjones71]

My other option is to stay at the Community College I'm in and wait until Fall to start the nursing program if I get accepted.

[Pjones71]

Thank you. I'm seriously considering it and I know 88K is a lot of money but for something that I've really wanted I would risk it. But your input is enlightening me. I appreciate it.

[Pjones71]

beekee.

I haven't really done the math. I just don't want to waste anymore time waiting to get accepted in my Community College which will be in the Fall of next year. I've attempted to get in the ADN program in 2008 but life happened and so I'm retrying. For my dream to come true for 88K, it's really tempting.

[TruvyNurse]

Heck no!! I paid 28k for my BSN at a private school for 4 years of education. 88k is outrageous and a rip off.

[LovingLife123]

You may have this dream to become a nurse, but don't you dream of retirement one day? $900 a month for student loans is insane. Depending on where you live, that could be one entire paycheck a month.

Not worth it.

[missmollie, ADN, BSN, RN]

Get your ADN. Hospitals often pay some or all of RN-BSN tuition once hired. I paid a grand total of 10k for my ADN (including some living expenses). Thus far for my BSN I've paid 1k, and I only have one more semester left. Consider this, if you get your ADN, you can start working much sooner (2 years) and pay less in student loans. You can do your RN to BSN online while working, get experience in the field, and go from there.