Lukela

I'm thinking about going into an ABSN program or a non-nursing bachelors to APN program after finishing my BS in kinesiology this semester. I'm looking at a couple of options for both, but I'm leaning more towards ABSN to start with. I eventually want to work towards an APN, but I think ABSN will get me an idea of what I will be getting myself into, before I commit to a grad program that will cost me a ton of cash. Also, I've heard hospitals will sometimes reimburse you partially for tuition for grad school when you work there. That being said, the schools I'm looking at are freaking expensive. The main one I'm considering is 46K. I'll have only 6k or so in loans to pay back from my current BS, and that was for four years. They want 46K for 15 months! I think it's a little outrageous, but maybe this is relatively normal. What are all of your experiences with cost of ABSN programs? Any suggestions on what I should do?

Thanks for the advice. I should have been a little clearer though The generalist entry just means that the program is designed for non-nurses that already have a bachelors degree. The programs starts with a 15 month accelerated phase leading to RN license qualifications. Then it's 2-4 years after that, depending on if you go full or part time, that leads to APN. When you apply to the program you have to pick your specialty, so by the very end I would qualify to sit for the NP exam for whatever specialty I pick. Also, how do you like being an APN? What sort of setting do you work in?

I'm a soon to be graduating from UIC (University of Illinois at Chicago) with a BS in kinesiology. After going back and forth with some ideas, I'm shooting for a long term goal of being an APN. My cumulative GPA is 3.95 and have A's in all my prerequ courses(I've gotten all A's with the exception of one B while at the university), but my overall GPA including my grades from community college is only 3.52 (I came out of high school smoking a lot of weed and not be very academically focused). I'm thinking about trying to apply to generalist entry masters programs in nursing--the ones that are for non-nursing applicants that have bachelors and have fulfilled the necessary prerequisites. UIC offers one, but there don't seem to be many in the country. I've got a couple of questions: Does being a male give me any sort of advantage (Initialy I thought it might, but it seems from what I'm reading now, not so much)? I have no clinical medical experience,but my degree program has had me taking a ton of health science classes. I'm taking an EMT course now, but wont have it finished by the time I apply. Will this hurt me? Are these programs a good route to go, or should I try to do an accelerated BSN program, and then work towards NP after? Any other comments or suggestions are greatly appreciated. Thanks!