Should I even consider an ABSN program?

[WCSU1987]

Probably my biggest fear and what stresses me out the most about nursing school is the cost. I live paycheck to paycheck have about $4K in debt and having a previous bachelor's degree knocks me out of the running for some financial aid. I struggle now taking prerequisites 2 classes at the CC cost me $1200. I want to do the Accelerated BSN program, but I can't drop below 24 hours a week at work I need money to survive.

I started taking nursing school prerequisites (currently taking stats, chem, A&P, etc..)

I have 3 years' experience working EMS, year in the OR, and 4 to 5 years in Psych. Psych is where I want to go with nursing possibly into corrections or VA Psych.

So here it is. I have the option of doing the traditional program (24 months) or the accelerated program (12 months -- I have a bachelor's degree in Business Management and Criminal Justice). The classes and material is exactly the same for the two programs, the accelerated is just very condensed. Obviously a program that it 9 months shorter sounds like a better deal because it means you can actually start working that much sooner, but here are some pros and cons to each that I could come up with.

Accelerated:

- lower cost b/c it's two semesters shorter

- 9 months shorter, so I could actually be working making money and gaining experience for that much longer

- it would much more demanding of my time (I am getting married next November, so it would mean less time with my wife)

- Fiancée started renting on our own need to keep my health insurance hope it be doable to work 24 hour's. One program makes you sign a contract and another says can work first semester and other one encourages you to work

- my grades might not be as good to enter an accelerated program. GPA is 3.0 for my prerequisites but my previous degree GPA is 2.75

-There are no exams to enter into an accelerated program just an essay my strong suit

Traditional:

- takes longer and would end up costing more (although not significantly more $15,000)

- I would have more time to devote to classes/clinical, so I could learn the material better and get better grades

- as a future newlywed, it would be nice to have more time to spend with my future wife. Continue to work and wouldn't affect finances.

- Have to take the TEAS

other option is a 2 year community college, which is similar to intensity of the accelerated, limited job opportunities, and highly competitive.

Thoughts, comments, or advice would be greatly appreciated.

[mamccullough1]

If you cannot quit work, do not do an ABSN. Most programs strongly STRONGLY suggest you not work, and some even mandate it. If you need to work part time, do the longer program. :)

[Shanella25]

Definitely do the traditional. It will cost you more money and take a little bit longer, but you have to make a sacrifice if nursing is what you really want to do. Traditional might also be better because you won't be as stressed out compared to an accelerated program because you can't pay your bills. Which might put a tremendous strain on your studies causing you to fail out of the program.