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Discussion

Which Nursing Program would you choose?

I am so indecisive and nervous about choosing the right program for me that I think I am overthinking this process. I am currently taking prereqs and should be finish in the summer. There is only one school in my area that offers a BSN and it is part-time. The program would allow me to work full time while going to school. To be honest, I don't really have my heart set on this school, its just practical for me to attend because I still need to provide for my son and help my husband with the bills. The other schools that I have considered are full time programs and BSN. I would only be able to work part time. There is one school that I would really love to attend because of the reputation and the feel I got when I went to an informational session.

The issue: I am currently a teacher with a salary that is being cut but the bills are being paid. If I decided to attend the first school that is part-time, I would prefer to not work as a teacher because I would like to be able to fully concentrate on my nursing studies and get my foot in the medical field. However, my husband and I feel that if I was to apply to a full time program where I could only work part time, lets just say as a PCT, then our finances would take a hit.

If you had this situation, would you pick door number 1: BSN part-time program where you could work full time but not in your chosen field or door number 2: BSN full time program (actual first choice) where you would part time but there is a chance of finances suffering.

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    I have been in this almost exact situation, and to avoid taking out student loans like I have in the past, here's what I did:

    I chose a full-time BSN program, starting in fall '13. I won't be able to work very much at all, but my husband and I began budgeting to the bare minimum, to hopefully save up some money for when the program starts. This sounds really awful, but it's just part of the deal. The sooner you get out of school, the sooner you can get a well-paying job, and a part-time program will only prolong it all.

    If you can afford to take out federal student loans, by all means do it. (My husband and I already have 100K, so my taking more out just wasn't an option.) BSN programs are generally only 5 semesters, and while that may seem like a huge amount of time to go without excess things if you're budgeting, it will all be worth it in the end.

    Just my opinion. :)

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    I have been in this almost exact situation, and to avoid taking out student loans like I have in the past, here's what I did:

    I chose a full-time BSN program, starting in fall '13. I won't be able to work very much at all, but my husband and I began budgeting to the bare minimum, to hopefully save up some money for when the program starts. This sounds really awful, but it's just part of the deal. The sooner you get out of school, the sooner you can get a well-paying job, and a part-time program will only prolong it all.

    If you can afford to take out federal student loans, by all means do it. (My husband and I already have 100K, so my taking more out just wasn't an option.) BSN programs are generally only 5 semesters, and while that may seem like a huge amount of time to go without excess things if you're budgeting, it will all be worth it in the end.

    Just my opinion. :)

    Thank you for your response! As you mentioned, the part-time program is suppose to last three years and I wouldn't be able to start until January 2014. I guess my rationale (and I may be wrong) is if I don't want to teach while being in this part-time program, then I might as well apply to a full time program and work part-time. Budgeting is more of an issue for my husband than me. I can budget all day but my husband (I love him to death) just does not know how to save. Of course, I haven't apply to any school yet and who is to say that I would be accepted in my dream school. I just wanted to get some insight on how I can make it work.

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