HELP! ADN or private school BSN?

Nursing Students Pre-Nursing

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Hi everyone!

Long story short, I am a pre-nursing student finishing up her pre-reqs. I am more of a traditional student, but it has taken me a long time to get to the point of actually applying to nursing schools. Because of that, if I were to start a program this fall, I would graduate after six years in school. I know that isn't a big deal to some people, but I am nervous about the possibility of my financial aid running out because I've read after six years in school, FAFSA stops giving you loans.

I am stuck between two schools. A private BSN program that would start this Fall (Fall 2018) and finish in Spring 2020. That would put me right at six years for a Bachelor's degree. I am nervous about this option because the school is incredibly expensive, but it is a BSN program and I have only heard great things about it. Students do say there are scholarship opportunities, etc.

My other option is at a Community College. It is an ADN program that I would not be able to begin until Fall of 2019 (you have to be completed with your pre-reqs before you can apply), and I would graduate Fall 2020. The perks of this program is that it would be only a fraction of the cost of the BSN, but I would only have my ADN and I have heard negative experiences of people with ADN's not being able to find a job. Plus, I think my financial aid would run out before I finished school. I also would plan to do a RN-BSN bridge option would just be another round of school (and student loans) tacked on.

I guess what my question is, in your experience, which is the better option? Should I start the BSN program with the perks of a great, respectable program and have my BSN and have a lot of student debt afterwards, or should I wait another year for the ADN program (that I may not even be accepted to) and have the harsh reality of not being able to find a job.

I appreciate everyone's help and advice!

*also, I would apply to a public BSN program, but they are extremely competitive around my area and my GPA does not compete. The BSN program I am applying to looks at you holistically, not just by your GPA and the ADN program is based on a point system and only cares about your pre-reqs which I have done well in so far.*

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Specializes in Peds/outpatient FP,derm,allergy/private duty.

Hi HopefullyfutureRN!

My opinion (recognizing that most likely others will have different ideas)

For maximum flexibility, marketability, and upward mobility in the nursing world, a BSN is almost mandatory. I say "almost" because depending on where you plan to work, doors may still be open for ADNs in every aspect I mentioned.

Since it seems you've decided your goal definitely is nursing school, it makes sense to get the BSN sooner rather than later. This may also alleviate your fears of becoming a perpetual student and running out of options regarding financial aid.

As I see it, the major drawback of the private school program is the cost, which obviously is a major consideration.

However, if you still have the ability to use scholarships and whatever other financial aid is available to you, if it were me, I would opt for the BSN program.

Hopefully others will chime in as well.

Best wishes to you!

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Hi HopefullyfutureRN!

My opinion (recognizing that most likely others will have different ideas)

For maximum flexibility, marketability, and upward mobility in the nursing world, a BSN is almost mandatory. I say "almost" because depending on where you plan to work, doors may still be open for ADNs in every aspect I mentioned.

Since it seems you've decided your goal definitely is nursing school, it makes sense to get the BSN sooner rather than later. This may also alleviate your fears of becoming a perpetual student and running out of options regarding financial aid.

As I see it, the major drawback of the private school program is the cost, which obviously is a major consideration.

However, if you still have the ability to use scholarships and whatever other financial aid is available to you, if it were me, I would opt for the BSN program.

Hopefully others will chime in as well.

Best wishes to you!

Thank you so much for your response and your advice!

I should add that I really WANT to go to the BSN program, I am just trying to justify the cost. I think at this point, time is now a big factor in getting my degree so it may be worth the extra cost to finish my degree sooner rather than later. Plus, if I did the ADN program, all of the credits I have already accrued during my first three years of college would basically be a waste. Where as with the BSN, the classes I have taken over the years do fill most of the pre-requisites and I wouldn't feel like three years of college went to complete waste.

On the other hand, I have not been accepted into either program, yet. It is completely possible that I will be denied from the BSN program, and God will have given me my answer of which route to take. Part of me hopes this happens so I don't get myself in over my head in debt.

Thanks again!

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Specializes in Emergency / Disaster.

Ok - so this is a multi-fold process. Please see this link for more details (if you haven't already). Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans | Federal Student Aid

1) its a 150% of time thing. If your program is 4 years - then you get 6 years. If your program is 2 years then you get 3 years.

2) its also a total money thing. When you get to $57,500 as an independent student - you are capped out until you either - get personal loans or pay that amount down.

I am currently in this situation because I just finished my undergrad and then changed my mind. I don't have enough $$ left to go where I really want to go.

I'd start checking into what you have available now to make sure you have available what you need. Financial aid at a school will be able to explain this to you.

Good Luck!!

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Apply to both, whomever takes you..go. Either options could be viable for you. Nursing is a tricky field to get into, I wouldn't put all my eggs in one basket. I made that mistake before, only applied to absn programs and I got rejected to all. Being that most schools have a particular timeframe to put in application if you got rejected, you would possibly be waiting another 6 months to a year to apply again. Apply to both, if you got accept to both..then weigh your options. Where you reside can play a huge factor on the rn market (adn vs bsn). However, I would not let that be a determining factor if you got an opportunity to get into a program. Most rn-bsn bridge programs are about a yr, if you have a significant amount of college credits already.

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