I'm hoping someone might be able to shed light on an upcoming decision I have to make about which nursing program is the best option for a mom? I know ultimately this is a decision only I can make, but I appreciate hearing other people's perspectives, especially those that have been through these rigorous programs, and can speak from experience on this very topic.
I recently got accepted into University of Portland, OHSU and Linfield's Accelerated BSN program. I'm having SUCH a difficult time deciding which program would be best for my family and I, since I know this decision will have an effect on everyone in our home.
Linfield's ABSN -- 15 month program, so short time period -- costs about $84k to attend tho. They are offering me a $20k transfer scholarship, so it's closer to $64k total.
OHSU BSN -- 3 year program, LONG. Costs about $44k. No scholarships offered yet, but it's still about $20k cheaper than Linfield.
UP BSN -- 2 year program. Perfect time period! However, cost is $100k total, and they offer NO scholarships to post-bacc students, so no financial assistance offered. I think this school is pretty much out of our budget.
So...it's between Linfield and OHSU.
I love my family and want to be able to provide for them, while still maintaining a healthy balance of work and life.
Any advice or input anyone is willing to lend would be greatly appreciated.
Specializes in Nephrology Home Therapies, Wound Care, Foot Care..
If other programs accepted your credits, the cc will too. See a different counselor. That kind of debt is absurd. You say now you're not worried, you'll just take out loans, but student loans are hideous, you could literally still be paying when you retire, no joke!
I vote for OHSU. It's a nationally known and respected university and is the cheapest. (And keep trying to get some financial aid through them to lower the cost further.)
Yes, it will take longer -- but that means you will have time to spend with your family and maintain some balance, which is a high priority for you. Also, the longer time frame will give you time to more fully absorb the material.
Finally, in post #2, you said "I'm not really as concerned about the money because I can take out loans..." That's really scary. Those are famous last words said by people who get themselves into massive amounts of debt that cripples them for life. Please don't jeopardize your family's well-being by being cavalier about student debt.
I would think twice before spending that much on a nursing degree. I have $20k for mine and am not looking forward to the approximate $200/mo payment for the next ten years that will begin in a few months. I could only imagine what the repayment plan would be for $100k. Several years ago I remember hearing on the news that it may not be the best investment to spend more than what you would make the first year after graduation in a salary for a 4 year degree. Thinking about that, it sounds like pretty good advice. Not only does the student have to pay back all of the money that they borrowed, but the interest that is payed over the years adds up quickly, and then its not just 20 or 50 or 100k in loans, but add on the APR for those loans each year and the numbers are a lot higher for the true cost of attending college.
Three years is a very long time to be in school for your BSN when you've got 3+ kids, more so if there's also a chance that you may want to go on to pursue advanced degrees in nursing. I would say to go with Linfield. I am currently finishing up a 13-month ABSN at Hopkins, I have four children and I went through 10 of these almost 13 months doing this without my husband. He's with the State Department, and was finishing up his overseas assignment. I won't lie, this was one of the hardest years of my life, but it was all worth it. Your support system WILL make or break you. In my case, my network consisted of my in-laws, my parents, and my brother and his wife who all chipped in to help watch the kids and let me focus on my studies. You and your family will have to make sacrifices, but it's easier to do when you have a definite end-goal of 15 months, versus long-term of 3 years. If I'm going to have to go through the pain, I'm the type of person who'd rather take it all at once and get it over as quickly as possible! Best of luck with your nursing journey!
ABSN is actually for students who already have an undergraduate degree in any field OTHER than nursing. So students with BS/BA in literature, history, biology, psychology, or even computer science (like me) would be able to enter ABSN programs.
I think this school is pretty much out of our budget. 
AngelKissed857, BSN, RN
436 Posts
If other programs accepted your credits, the cc will too. See a different counselor. That kind of debt is absurd. You say now you're not worried, you'll just take out loans, but student loans are hideous, you could literally still be paying when you retire, no joke!