Traditional vs. ABSN

Hello everyone! 

I thought I would post about my situation on here in case anyone had any advice. I plan on starting nursing school in the upcoming fall semester. I already received admission into an ABSN program (which wasn't my first choice). My first choice school put me on a waitlist for their ABSN but later sent me an email saying that they aren't sure whether they'll be able to give me a spot in the ABSN so I can either remain on the waitlist or I could take a spot in their traditional program.  They said that because I already completed my bachelors degree in biology ( go 2020 grads!!) they believe it would take 5 semesters instead of the original 4 with the ABSN. It also would take longer because unlike ABSN students who take classes in the Summer traditional students don't. If I go with the ABSN I expect my graduation date would be Fall 2021 and I'll graduate at 22. If I go with the traditional I expect with the extra semester and the breaks in the Summer I'll graduate in fall 2022 and be 23 years old. It's my first choice and I want to go there so bad because I really like the area and my boyfriend lives around there as well. I believe the traditional program would be cheaper as well even with the extra semester when compared to the ABSN I got into. But if I go with the ABSN I could graduate a whole year earlier and get into the workforce quicker. 

What do you all think? 

Cheaper, but how much salary do you lose by graduating later?

I’m really not sure I plan on working in the Maryland/ D.C area once I graduate. And I think that new nurses get paid at least $30 and hour. 

6 minutes ago, Bobognnp said:

I’m really not sure I plan on working in the Maryland/ D.C area once I graduate. And I think that new nurses get paid at least $30 and hour. 

Out of curiosity, with a B.S. in Biology why didn’t you apply to medical school? I’d assume you have all the prerequisites. No interest? Or do you prefer the shorter path to mid level provider (np/pa) with better quality of life in exchange for Lowe lifetime earnings? You could have easily applied to PA school as well. 

I didn’t really like how long it would take to get through medical school/PA school. Plus I felt as if my grades were not good enough for medical school so I didn’t apply. 

Fair enough. I’m in a similar situation; similar reasons for not applying. I have he grades, but the time commitment at my age (37) is a questionable investment. 
 

You are only young once. It’s a choice. Accelerate and be working faster, or do the traditional and have some free time to enjoy while you are young.