PLEASE HELP!!!!! Accelerated BSN vs ADN (cost difference)

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hi everyone.

in may 2012 i will be getting my ba in psychology i love the field:yeah: but now out of no where i really want to be a nurse :nurse: so i need as much help as possible and hope you guys can help. i was looking into a bsn program but realize that it is expensive. i live in nyc and i was wondering if it is better to get a adn then my bsn or is there a way to get my bsn than get tuition reimbursement i am willing to relocate but within the northeast. if you know of a program that will pay for your education even half of it please let me know and i was wondering if it would help to get my cna. if so where are the more affordable or free cna program. i am so mad at myself for taking this long :mad:. THANK YOU.

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Specializes in ED.

If you want to become a nurse then go for the accelerated BSN program. Most hospitals are requiring BSN now. Some will hire you w/ an Associate's but then you'll have to agree to get the BSN w/in 5 years anyway. But, yes they usually offer some tuition reimbursement - so you'd have to do a cost/benefit/time analysis!

Accelerated programs are generally 15 months. An Associate's (especially if you try to do it inexpensively through CUNY schools) will take you 3 years (even though they advertise 2yrs, trust me it can't be done!!) because they are so competitive and the pre-req classes fill up instantly every semester.

Don't be mad at yourself - that's counterproductive! Just lay out all the options - and see what makes the most sense. Nursing school is very challenging - conserve your energy! Working as a CNA is a good idea because it gives you a front row seat to what nurses do day in and day out and it will make you more comfortable handling patients when you begin your clinicals. But I wouldn't take time away from potential nursing school enrollment to become a CNA.

NYC HHC was recently offering some kind of tuition reimbursement if you made a 2 yr commitment to work in a city hospital...maybe look that up...do any of the SUNY's offer accelerated BSN?

Good luck.

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Specializes in L&D.

ABSN or BSN. No question. Most have student loans...it's a part of life these days. Many of my ADN friends cannot find jobs due to employers seeking BSN over ADN.

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There are places who hire ADNs- depends on the location, rural more likely than huge urban, the south hurts for nurses, etc. And a lot will help with tuition reimbursement for a commitment to work in their facility for a specified number of years (varies).

I went to an ADN program, and worked 17 years in TX- urban and rural...NEVER had an issue with not having a BSN- even in management. The nursing shortage is still real in many places :) The NE might be a bit harder- don't know - but check out the smaller towns :)

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I think nyc is one of the areas that heavily prefers BSN new grads. If you want to stay in nyc, that might be the way to go if you can afford it. Check out SUNY Downstate.

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Specializes in ICU, Informatics.

Hmmm... let's see... in NYC you will be making in the neighborhood of $75000 your first year out of school. So even if it costs you 40g to do the BSN you will still come out ahead because you will be done at least a year sooner. That's not even taking into consideration that fact that you have next to zero chances of finding a hospital job in the NE without either working for the hospital you will be applying for or having your BSN.

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Specializes in Critical Care.

An accelerated BSN is better in your situation and it would also make it easier if you want to advance in the future with an MSN or NP.

Just keep student loan debt to a minimum, avoid private loans like the plague and make sure you stay current on your student loans. You cannot afford to default because they will double or triple what you owe with fees and collection costs and you have no ability to bargain with them. Most importantly, they can withhold your professional license to practice if you default.

I think it should be mandatory for students to take a personal finance class in high school and college before you are inundated with college offers and the lenders start circling the wagon. Stick with public govt loans and now they have an income based repayment option.

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Specializes in L&D.
Hmmm... let's see... in NYC you will be making in the neighborhood of $75000 your first year out of school. So even if it costs you 40g to do the BSN you will still come out ahead because you will be done at least a year sooner. That's not even taking into consideration that fact that you have next to zero chances of finding a hospital job in the NE without either working for the hospital you will be applying for or having your BSN.

Wait a second...in NYC new grads make $75K to start off????

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