What to do...decisions. decisions.

[GavinsMom]

I have a Bachelors in Communications/public relations. I hate what I do, and had thought about nursing back in the day but didn't do it. Now I wish I had and I'm going back for my RN. I am applying to 3 schools here and if I only get in one the decision is easy. If I get in all 3 I have some thinking to do. 2 are ASN community college programs. So they are fairly cheap and take 2 years. (no summer school).

The other is an accelerated BSN program. I'd gradutate a semeter earlier than the asn because the BSN has summer school. However the tuition is 17000/year and we are pretty broke. I don't qualify for grants because of the previous degree. I would eventually do an RN-BSN bridge if I do the asn, but I can't decide if the extra cost is worth doing the bsn now or later while I work.

If I do the ABSN now, I have to take A&P2, Chem, Biol., & Nutrition next semester and this summer. If I do the ASN I only need A&P2 next semester, the RN-BSN bridge at the school I'd pick doesn't require me to do the others. (I'd have to do Bio, ect because of the 8 year rule on sciences.)

Sorry this post is so rambling, I just needed to express it I guess. Thoughts anyone? The only real hesitation I have for the BSN is the expense.

*added:

Also...If I decide on the aBSN, I'll need those 4 classes. I'm definately taking A&P2 next semester, but what else should I add? AP2, Biol 1 & Nutrition in spring and Chem alone this summer? I'm scared of chemistry...It's one subject I really don't like. Or 2 and 2? I do work full time and have an almost 2 year old....I wish acceptance letters came out BEFORE classes start. If I don't get in the ABSN then those 3 extra classes would have been pointless. ARGH. So confused.

[ICU_RN_BSN]

For people who plan to do ADN and then bridge to BSN..I dont get that because you will end up spending even more time in school than you would if you just finished to BSN...And I say the sooner you graduate and are DONE with school you can start working and making money...So say going to ADN then bridging to BSN takes you a total of one more year away from working a full time job as a nurse. if you really think about it..that 17,000 will pay for itself as you will have an extra full year salary....

does this make sense? Either way...i say just finish it all now and go BSN..it is worth it. And take chem in the summer by itself. HATED chem....take it alone so you can focus on it more.

[Nurse SMS, MSN, RN]

With your ASN you can skip the BSN all together and go for your MSN afterward, and many good hospitals have tuition reimbursement benefits for nurses to pursue advanced degrees. I do not plan to ever get a BSN. I will go directly for my MSN. With the amount of schooling I already have under my belt it will take about the same amount of time.

I would get your ASN and go to work, then let your new employer cover the cost of the rest of your education while you are earning a salary.

[iPink, BSN, RN]

I know the market is hard right now, but do you see any preferences with hospitals hiring? I know in my area that if they are going to hire new grads, they want new grads with BSNs, not ADNs. That could help you too with your decision, it did with me, which is why I chose the ABSN route.

However, if it doesn't matter, then if you want to keep you're job while in school, I know people who chose the ADN route just for that reason alone. Like previous poster said, if you do the ADN, you can go for RN-MSN, if you want the MSN. As for me, getting the BSN first then MSN later, I still save time.

Even though we don't qualify for grants, I have to add there are scholarships for us second-degree seekers, you just have to search. I've already applied to a few of them.