Should I go for the ADN, BSN, or ABSN?

[ruby1989]

I have a bachelors degree in art history, but I quickly discovered that I had little interest in pursuing this path. I decided I wanted to go back to school for nursing. I'm two semesters away from completing my pre-reqs. My overall GPA isn't great (about 3.2), but my pre-req is 4.0.

I live in an area that has done a very good job of destroying ADN jobs, so I'm worried if I get an ADN the likelihood of me finding a job is very slim.

My eventual goal is a BSN, so it would seem logical that I should just go straight into a BSN program. Unfortunately, I'm pretty deep in debt from my previous degree ($40,000). Most BSN programs in my area seem to cost around $30,000. The ADN programs are about $5,500. My backup goal is an ADN program and afterwards an online BSN program.

I could probably find a way to pay out of pocket for the ADN, but the BSN is a lost cause financially. Chances are, as a second degree student, I'll have to take out private loans which frighten me. It seems like such a grim, pessimistic future if I don't get the BSN right away, though. Also, I'm worried about the ADN's waiting list.

Does anyone have advice?

[zoe92]

Is there any way you can relocate? Possibly to a place where the ADN program would not have a waitlist and also where having an ADN means more job security? I know that's a pain but it might help your situation especially in an area that is destroying the ADN job market. I think with your debt you should try not to pursue an expensive BSN program. If I were in your situation I would relocate, get an ADN, starting working to pay off debt & then save up for a BSN program. Good luck.

[ruby1989]

Relocating would only be an option after I get a job, so I hope the waitlist isn't that bad. Ideally, I wouldn't want to relocate because it's an added expense. Living at home for me is free right now and paying $600 in rent is $600 that could be thrown towards paying off my student loans. I'm probably being too picky and idealistic at this point, though.

The problem is, I hear so many different opinions from people on whether or not the ADN job is dying here. My mom was in the hospital over the summer. One of the nurses asked where I planned to go to school and said, "Oh, don't worry- you'll be able to get a job."

When I was in the hospital in the fall I asked a nurse what she thought about the ADN vs BSN job market. She said, "Don't go for the ADN! All the nurses here have to be BSN. The ADN's that work here have to get a BSN within the next five years or get fired."

My boyfriend's cousins are both nurses. His father e-mailed them asking them what they thought of the situation. They wouldn't say one way or another that going for the ADN was worthless. They made it pretty clear that even BSN nurses are having hard times finding jobs as new grads. Their suggestion was also relocating.

One of my pre-nursing friends works in a hospital and is surrounded by a lot of ICU nurses. I asked her where the the majority of nurses went to school. She said they almost all went to the community college.

For clarification I live in the Cleveland area. The Cleveland Clinic is probably a huge factor is the push towards magnet status and other hospitals seem to be following its lead.