No Nursing Program at my school. Advice

[NIUnurs2be]

So, I am about to enter my senior year of college and up until this point I was a Speech-Language Pathology major, but after hours of SLP shadowing at a hospital, realized nursing was much for me. My current school doesn't have a nursing program and my advisor has suggested finishing up my final year of college and entering an accelerated bsn program. However, these programs are extremely expensive and since I will already have one bachelor's degree I will no longer receive financial aid like the MAP grant. I am not afraid of hard work and I have great time management skills, however an accelerated fast-paced program just makes me a little nervous that I won't absorb all of the material needed to be a competent nurse.

Should I try to transfer to a different school that has a bsn nursing program? Take the fall semester to finish up some pre-requisites and then apply into the school's nursing program. In Illinois, most of the state schools give preference to their own students first before transfers. I currently attend a very pricey private college and am already in a considerable amount of debt, so a final year will definately add on to that current debt versus the tuition at a state school. Will having two bachelor's degree one in biology and one in science of nursing make me a more competitive canidate or will transfering be a smarter decision? Thank you for any advice.

[caliotter3]

I would make plans to transfer immediately. It will cut down on cost and time to get yourself headed toward that BSN. You are right to be apprehensive about an accelerated program. Go for a traditional program if you feel it would be better for you. Just cut your losses now, unless you really see some kind of advantage in getting the degree. Personally, I think you should try to salvage financial aid eligibility if possible. A degree in biology won't really be of much use.

[litchi]

I agree with everything caliotter3 said.

I'd forgo the biology degree and just transfer as soon as I could. I have a non-nursing bachelor's degree and it has done absolutely nothing for me except exclude me from grants. Makes me regret ever finishing the first time..

[FredPuma]

I agree with the other posters. Getting financial aid is pretty much the only way I can get through nursing school unless I wanted to move back in with my parents. Look to transfer as soon as possible. I know state schools get more grant money/ etc if they have a higher graduation rate, so I would assume that it somehow affects private schools as well. Your councilor is going to suggest what's best for the school first, and what's best for you second. If you have competitive grades, I don't see any reason that a BS in biology would help you if you are going into nursing. Take classes in the fall at the state school you'll be trying to go to for nursing, and apply as soon as possible.

Good luck!

[NIUnurs2be]

Thank you all so much for everyone who responded! I appreciate all of your opinions : ) I think I will take your advice