BSN or save for a house?

Nurses Career Support

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Not sure where to post this so steer me in the right direction. I finished ADN school in May, I have a good paying job and I want to pursue my BSN however it is $4000 per semester for 2 semesters and I need to save for a house. I know that my earning potential will go up, but I am currently working in Home health at $24/hr and while that may not seem like much it is pretty good for around here, and all I have is my ADN, and there is no special treatment or pay raise for a BSN. I love home health and do not plan on going to the hospital, but I want my MSN eventually because I know it will be worth it and such an accomplishment. I want to save $20,000 for a down payment on a house, but if I get my BSN that is going to cost me $900 a month for a year which is a pretty good hunk of change, and I am not doing a loan. So this is just a "what would you do" question. Would you... Go ahead and go for the BSN then MSN and put off your dreams of a home for another 2 years (SO SICK OF BEING IN SCHOOL and ready to start seeing the fruits of my labor) or would you put off school a couple of years, save for your home since you have a job and are making decent money for your area on the degree you already have, focus on work and advancing in the company? Thanks for any advice!

BSN, an investment in our future.

Thanks for the great advice. I have decided to take it a couple of classes at a time and stretch it out over the next couple years... I need the education hours anyways to renew my license next year.

Specializes in Nursing Professional Development.
Thanks for the great advice. I have decided to take it a couple of classes at a time and stretch it out over the next couple years... I need the education hours anyways to renew my license next year.

That sounds like a great, sensible plan to me. Good luck!

Specializes in Critical Care, Nsg QA.

Excellent choice. You will not regret seeking the BSN at this point in time. Student loans are generally easier to pay off ( I could be wrong....). You would be surprised at how many non management jobs prefer a BSN over the ADN. Education is NEVER a mistake!!

Are you married or living with someone else? I think that's a factor too because if they are helping then you may be able to go ahead and get the BSN. I don't know...this is a tough decision! What has family said? I know I like to take advice from family and friends more so than people I do not know well on the Internet.

Specializes in LTC Rehab Med/Surg.

House!!

I've never seen interest rates at 3%, and I'm 56 yrs old.

A house IS an investment in your future.

Consider the return. The housing market will come back. Once it does, your home will appreciate in value.

If you spend $10,000-15,000 on a BSN what'll be the return besides personal satisfaction? I'm not dissing personal satisfaction, but you're happy in your job, and there won't be a pay increase with a BSN behind your name.

Specializes in Programming / Strategist for allnurses.

Get your education first! 2-3 years to wait for a house is not a long time.

Plus, with the increased expenditures in owning a home you may not be able to afford school later on. Don't take that chance.

Ha!

Im in a similiar situation,except its between school and plastic surgery.Im leaning towards the plastic surgery though!

Specializes in Critical Care, Education.

Have you looked for less expensive RN-BSN programs? Last I heard, UT-Arlington was a bargain, coming in @

Specializes in Nurse Scientist-Research.
Have you looked for less expensive RN-BSN programs? Last I heard, UT-Arlington was a bargain, coming in @

Yea, I was going to suggest them, but they have changed their ad, now they boast an RN to BSN that comes in at

Specializes in Med-surg, home care.

Not a nursing student or anything (yet) but I would say get BSN first. I think it is easier to get school out the way then go for house then the reverse. Hubby and I are homeowners and it is very expensive and you may find it difficult to save for school with all the expenses that are required for a home (and I am not talking just mortgage!). At least with BSN your income would be same or more so saving up for a home once you are complete shouldn't be too difficult, at least that is the way it sounds to me based on your post.

I say the house, you dont want to open any new loans while trying to get that mortgage approval. it makes more sense, you already have a job and you can go back to school after you get your house situation taken care of

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