State vs. Private ABSN

Nursing Students General Students

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Hi! I've posted about this before and gotten great feedback, but this is my last chance to make a decision and I'm stuck.

I have worked hard to get a 4.0 in my nursing prerequisites and was thrilled that I was accepted to my #1 program at a private school, but it came with a $100K+ price tag. I would have to take out that amount entirely in loans. My fiancé will also have hundreds of thousands of dollars in grad school debt. This program has amazing, supportive faculty, a wonderful preceptorship program, great alumni network and so many opportunities to become a leader in nursing. Many students go on to their NP program, which, at this point, I am interested in doing after a few years as an RN. I loved that. However, I decided that no matter where I go to nursing school, I won't change as a person and will have the same motivation to do well in my classes, be proactive in my clinicals, and develop relationships with my professors. I decided to apply for my state school's ABSN program and have been accepted. It is a good program, according to my research, but they do not offer a preceptorship so you never work one on one with a staff nurse, and I have heard the program is "disorganized" and the professors want you to succeed, but aren't the best teachers. I attended an info session where the admissions counselors didn't know all the answers to my questions either (I still have no clue how many clinical hours the program has)... however, this program will cost me about $45-50K for my BSN, which is significantly cheaper and would allow me more flexibility in going back to school for a higher degree if I so choose. The school also has a pretty good reputation, especially its medical programs.

I guess I just need one more pep talk to help me make my decision. I need to make it this week because there is still time for a student to be accepted off the wait list at either school. I just want to have the best education possible so I can be a well-prepared nurse.

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Specializes in Prior military RN/current ICU RN..

Why do you need a "pep" talk? Make a decision and move on. You say you "have heard" the program is disorganized. Ok.by who? And what they are comparing "organized" to "disorganized". Become a critical thinker and do not believe just to believe. Sometimes nursing is "disorganized" and you have to solve problems that do not have linear solutions. Maybe a "disorganized" program is that way for a reason and you will learn how to solve complicated tasks. If both schools are accredited then make a decision. Neither is "right" or "wrong". It is simply a decision. If you are asking what I would do..I would pay 50K less a BSN. I have my BSN from a private school and no one..I mean NO ONE has ever asked or cared where I went to school. Your first job will want to know you have a BSN, you have an active nursing license, and that you are willing to work nights and weekends. Good luck!

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Thanks for your response windsurfer. A current student of the program who is almost finished called it "disorganized," but you are right that her definition may be different from mine. I am currently taking my prerequisites with professors I would consider disorganized (tell students one thing, do another, etc.) and am doing fine. What it boils down to: I want to have as little debt as possible. I need to deal with my decision. I am an indecisive person by nature and seek too many opinions that cause me unnecessary anxiety since I'm the one who will live with the decision. I appreciate your guidance and sharing your experience having gone to a private school, so thank you. I'm excited to get started and plan on going into school without regrets!

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Specializes in Prior military RN/current ICU RN..

Whatever you decide just hit it hard. Debt is a serious concern..good to think about it. I would sit down with the bank where you plan to borrow the money from and figure out exactly how much interest and what your monthly payment would be. 100K your payment will probably be around a thousand a month. If you can handle that...well that is up to you.

A big part of nursing school is some "chaos". You are doing clinicals in hospitals that are often..lets say..less than excited to have you there. Remember..in the chaos you are learning. Learn how to manage your time. Learn how to navigate insane situations to accomplish the mission. Just roll with it. Be polite, respectful and pay attention. When I precept students if they are late or not paying attention..adios..If they are prompt and hard workers I will do everything I can to help them succeed. Good luck.

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Specializes in Critical Care, Education.

Of course, you were met with a red carpet and people who cater to your every whim...Schools with six-figure tuition costs have very slick marketing campaigns and massive PR/"customer service" departments to make sure that none of their potential tuition-payers escape.

IMO, you've made a very wise decision to go with a more affordable option. We all take the same NCLEX. It will pay off in the long run.

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@windsurfer: Thank you for the great advice! I'm excited to begin!

@HouTx: haha! I was thinking the exact same thing earlier today! The private school definitely knew how to make us feel special. I don't think it was insincere and I truly got along great with many of the faculty members I met, but I think a big part of why they let us know their decisions 6 months before the program starts and host all these accepted students events is because they know a lot of people will drop due to financial reasons and they hope we just won't be able to say no. Although my state school hasn't gotten me bagels and fruit (lol), I have met many great staff members there and know my time there will be worthwhile. Thanks for encouraging me on my decision!

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You want as little debt as possible?

Do the state university ABSN.

You want even less debt? Go to community college and get an ADN for around 10K, then do an RN-BSN bridge for another 10K.

I did not really consider ABSN programs cause the two state ones in my state were still 18 months and that only got me done one semester faster than community college.

I did apply to a master's entry program that seemed great but would have cost around 5 times what the ADN did. The choice was made extremely easy for me when I didn't get in, but I had already talked myself out of spending that much anyways.

You have to look at the ROI here. Is a private nursing degree really worth more than a state one. No matter what school you go to, you will still be a novice nurse deserving of entry level pay when you graduate.

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