Y'all

I am debating between a direct-entry MSN program or my CC for ADN. I know that's confusing but those are the two best options for me as the MSN is the same price (or cheaper) and length as my local ABSN programs and I could get graduate student loans. I'm still considering CC so I could finish school debt-free before bridging to my BSN. My local CC has one of the best program in the state and is down the street from our family who could help with childcare. If I did the MSN program, would it be frowned upon to work as a bedside ICU nurse after? Would an accelerated MSN program be much more rigorous than a CC ADN program? I am interested in CRNA school eventually and the path to that would be faster/cheaper if I already had a master's vs. BSN. I know this is all very specific, I'm trying to do it right the second time around and think longterm without boxing myself in.

Thank you this! We are so tight on one salary currently anyway so there’s no way I’m going to be able to put enough away to pay for accelerated program. That probably answers my question that I should stick with the very reputable CC and spend under 10k total.

Thank you so much for sharing your insight. I don’t know many people who have gone back to nursing school so I’m alone in this journey. My accelerated programs would be 16-20 months depending on which one vs. 2 years (with summers off in CC). It’s such a hard decision. I think if the accelerated prices weren’t so high I’d go for it. I wanted to start out working part-time as my son isn’t even one so I don’t know how hard those payments could be to make for us depending on what I make out of school. You got me thinking and I appreciate it so much.

I’m in a similar situation as a SAHM at age 30 with a 1 year old and wanted to add a second child next year. I’ve been toying with nurses school for 7-8 years and never had the time because of the prereqs and because I worked full-time. But guess what? The time passes by anyway. I realized recently that all this time I didn’t want to be on the waiting list at CC I could have been done already! I have accelerated options near me but we are talking 45-70k vs. $10,000 or less. I’ve decided to just do the prereqs I need and get on the waiting list at my local CC which is the best in the state and close to our parents to help with childcare. Yes, there are other more appealing options and I don’t want to wait years but the time is passing me by whether I do it or not. Might as well get started and keep working in the meantime!

Thanks for the feedback. Everyone says that and you would think it’s more economical but it’s not by a long shot. I could do ADN for around $8000 total and BSN for another $7500 (plus I would hopefully get tuition reimbursement). There’s no BSN program near me for less than $45,000 some up to 70k. That’s how I ended up choosing CC even though I’d rather do an accelerated program.

I already have a non-nursing bachelors and am wanting to go to my local CC and get an ADN. Although it is very cheap generally, we cannot afford to pay my prereqs out of pocket at this time as I’m a SAHM and money is very tight. Does anyone know if I can get FAFSA loans for part-time prereqs even if I already have a degree?

Hello everyone! I have a non-nursing Bachelor's and have wanted to be a nurse even during my undergrad but my school did not offer the program. 8 years after college and a full career in healthcare later, I am finally trying to put everything in motion now as a SAHM. Everyone tells me not to waste my time on ADN and go straight for ABSN or direct-entry MSN because I will need my BSN anyway, etc. My question is, why don't people talk about cost!? I'm wondering if I am missing something. I have $11,000 in student loans left to pay back. I could do my ADN for under 10k but an accelerated program is going to run me between $45,000-$70,000. I am familiar with PSFL as I already have seven+ years toward it but I am not saving money with it anyway because I made too much. Do people who do accelerated programs and get reimbursed somehow after? I want to get through school quickly and I have the time to dedicate to an accelerated program but I cannot imagine being saddled with minimum of $500+/month payments while working as a floor nurse. I know RNs get hired here in Dayton/Cincinnati even without a BSN so that's not a sole deciding factor for me. Why does everyone tell me to do these programs? Are they unaware of cost, or is it easier to pay back than I realize? I absolutely want to do an accelerated program but I can't see how it would be a responsible financial decision to take out huge loans unless there is forgiveness that I'm unaware of. Any feedback is appreciated!

I am a working professional with a bachelor's degree in a non-nursing field. I am looking at going back to school for either ADN vs. BSN somewhere between Dayton and Cincy. When looking at UC's accelerated option, it seems they only have the direct-entry MSN. Does anyone know whether it is possible to do an accelerated BSN at UC or can you only complete the MSN program? I am hoping to get my degree then work for a few years before considering a master's degree. I am married and dependent on my current salary and considering starting a family soon so it is pretty difficult to figure out going back to school. I wish I could go shake my 18 year old self but you live and you learn.

@Optimis Can you tell me a little more about the program? Is it possible to do part-time or how many days per week are classes and clinicals?

I too would love to speak to someone about this program who has gone through the entire thing. I have so many questions about how it's run and what is required.

I too would love to speak to someone about this program who has gone through the entire thing. I have so many questions about how it's run and what is required.