Wait list vs. no wait list

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Specializes in no specialty! (have to graduate first!).

There is a nursing school in Denver that has no wait list because they have many start dates throughout the year. Also, they don't have a wait list because many students decline to go there because it is a lot more expensive then say a community college school. The tuition for the two year BSN is almost $37,000. At the c.c. I'm at right now, I would pay about $8-9,000 for the program, but end up with an associates, not a bachlors.

My question for everyone is: Would I be worth it to you to spend the extra money to get into a program quicker or would you wait? And would it also be worth it to if you knew you would end up with a bachelors instead of an associates?

Thank for your input! :nurse:

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I'm considering this very question. I'm in California and it's HARD to get into CC programs. On the other hand there's an expensive private school (around $48,000/yr) and no wait list. Some people wait three plus years to get into a cheaper CC program. It's a hard decision to make. Good luck in your decision!

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Specializes in no specialty! (have to graduate first!).
I'm considering this very question. I'm in California and it's HARD to get into CC programs. On the other hand there's an expensive private school (around $48,000/yr) and no wait list. Some people wait three plus years to get into a cheaper CC program. It's a hard decision to make. Good luck in your decision!

Yeah expensive tuition sure is expensive but I would like to get my career started. I have a long term goal of getting my Masters and I don't want to have to put it off more than I have to.

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I think it depends on how bad you want into the program now. If it was me I would definitely consider it. What is the schools pass rate for the NCLEX?

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I think it depends on how bad you want into the program now. If it was me I would definitely consider it. What is the schools pass rate for the NCLEX?

I was thinking the same thing!

*If* the more expensive school's pass rate is comparable to the cheaper school and *if* you can swing it monetarily, my 2 cents would be to go for the school you can get into now, rather than hoping/waiting to get into the other school. On the other hand, if the more expensive school has a lousy pass rate or if you're going to be eating cardboard because you'll have no money, then the other school(s) is probably worth the wait. Only you can figure out what's best for you.

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For many people this question is moot, because the cost of the private education is beyond their means. If someone can afford to attend one of the private schools and chooses to forgo waiting or being rejected, I would certainly hope that they get a good quality education at the private school. Some of these schools have excellent reputations. Some don't.

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Specializes in being a Credible Source.

Think about these things:

1) How much is each extra year of not working as a nurse costing you?

2) How does the job market look right now and might it change as more and more new grads come online? I know that in these parts, NG positions are not easy to come by.

3) On the other hand... if you go the expensive route but then have trouble landing your first job right away, will you be able to service the debt while you're looking?

It's not an easy decision by any means.

Oh, and the extra $28,000 would NOT be worth it to get a BSN over an ADN... not by a long shot.

All the best to you.

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Where can you go in CA with no waiting list to RN school?

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I would go with a BSN not b/c I want to get my masters or anything but b/c you'll get the ball rolling and on your way. Here around my town I felt so much pressure to get into a CommunityCollege and the applicant pool last semester was 170students w/ only 30spots! It's like yeah I know it's possible but think of the odds and my GPA was like 2.8. Another private college in town have over 100 applicants w/ only 35-40 spots. I talked with this guy who's sister went to a private nursing school &the told me to apply to the expensive colleges &universitys b/c others don't want to pay that much.

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"my question for everyone is: would i be worth it to you to spend the extra money to get into a program quicker or would you wait?"

it would only be worth it to me if the "extra" expense was reasonable, and/or if i had a scholarship or service cancellable loan lined up to pay for the more expensive school. owing people money is no fun and i wouldn't want to owe any more money in life to people than i absolutely have to. me personally, i'd get on the waitlist for the cheaper program, and if an opportunity opened up whereby i got accepted to a more expensive but quicker program and had a "free ride" some kinda way, i'd take it. in the meantime, i'd find a job in a healthcare setting in which i'm interested in. maybe you're newfound employer would foot the bill for the quicker school.

"and would it also be worth it to if you knew you would end up with a bachelors instead of an associates?"

again, only if the cost difference wasn't that much and would not put me in a ridiculous amount of debt. school loans are no fun. i am speaking from experience. yes, they can be very manageable after you graduate, assuming you get a good-paying job, but they are really annoying. you pay the money back every month thinking "dang, that's a couple hundred dollars i could've done something else with." and goodness forbid you either quit school before finishing or decide not to go to or stay in your field. or maybe you get hurt or something. you'll still owe the money. i'd think long and hard before taking out big loans for school.

i understand the desire to get as high of a degree in the shortest amount of time possible, but believe me when i say there is a lot to be said for graduating without any student loan debt. the money you start to earn will be "freed up" for other things in your life you may want, like a house, a business, a car etc. potential creditors (ie mortgage companies) will look at your monthly loan payments to other creditors in determining how much money they want to lend you. the more you owe in student loans, the less credit you'll have available for something you may want even more than your education in the future. just some food for thought.

hope this helped!:heartbeat

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Specializes in being a Credible Source.
Where can you go in CA with no waiting list to RN school?

Some of the community colleges admit by lottery. I don't have a list, though.

Most, or all, of the BSN programs at the CSU/UC schools admit by competition so there's not waiting list.

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Specializes in psych, ltc, case management.

In addition to what the many posters here said, also consider:

1) You will make more money with a BSN when you graduate to cover the student loan debt.

or

2) With the two year RN, you might be able to work at a hospital that helps pay for you to go back and get your BSN.

and

3) If you aren't positive you will like nursing, ti might be better to start with the 2 year program to see how you like it.

but

4) If you know you are commited to nursing already, tried and true, the BSN will catipult your career.

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