Please help with my decision making, oh wise ones :)

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Hi everyone,

I was just accepted to a great ADN program at a local community college. However, I also have the option of doing the direct entry MSN program. The problem I have is that I have massive student debt from undergraduate and graduate school bordering 80K. The MSN program would be in the range of 90K more since its a private school. Is it better I take the ADN route, which leads to a cheaper BSN accelerated route which will potentially help my chances to attend a better, cheaper MSN program? Or is the starting salary after doing the direct entry worth the massive debt?

Sorry guys, but this is just bugging me and keeping me awake at night guys.

I would definitely go with the ADN program, try to get a job ASAP, and start paying down that debt. With the debt you already have, I would not even entertain the idea of going to private school, unless some major scholarships were involved. Good luck with your decision!

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Specializes in Forensic Psych.

$170,000 worth of debt? Could you actually afford $2,000 a month worth of loan payments on a nurse's salary? That would be the bulk of your paychecks! I don't think there's any question that taking on more debt in your situation is not a good idea.

I would go the ADN route. The fact is that you can't really know how you're going to feel about nursing or specialities until you're there. If you take a look at the nursing student area there is no lack of students in school who have realized they don't even like nursing. And if you do like it you really cannot have any clue what area because most people's perceptions of what it's like are very, very wrong. I can't imagine committing to practice at any level for that amount of money without experience. Bedside nursing is flexible. If you don't like where you are, change it up. After you become a CNM for $90,000, you probably can't afford to switch it up.

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Okay guys, I think I will be doing the ADN route, take the NCLEX and move out of state.... and hopefully finding an employer that can help pay for my BSN as I work and gain experience. And then they can hopefully help with the MSN.

Thank you all so much with your help :)

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