Which type of program is best for me??!

[David Cohen]

So I'm currently about 3/4 done with a BA in Psychology. I'm out of school now but have applied and got accepted back into a psych program at Cal State LA. I haven't really taken any of the main nursing pre-req's yet. I have attempted about 110 units total, so I am a bit concerned about financial aid.

My options are:

-Finish my BA and then go to a public ADN program, waiting on the list for a few years and paying out of (shallow) pocket for the program.

-Finish my BA and then go to an accelerated BSN program (worried it will be difficult to get into and that I won't be able to get grants or loans)

-Finish my BA and then go to an entry-level MSN program (worried it will be too competitive) and I may waste a lot of time. However, Financial Aid seems easy to get for this since it would be a graduate program. If there are private programs that are not that competitive in this avenue, I think it would be best.

-Or, ditch this BA, and go to a private BSN program, hoping many of my units will count towards that degree. I am concerned that I will not be able to get Financial Aid coverage (even loans) because I have taken so many undergrad units. I like that I could start almost immediately and be on a road to somewhere bright.

Oh, and currently I work at a minimum wage job and live in an office, so it'd be great to get out of here.

Your thoughts please...

[on eagles wings, ASN, RN]

Hi David,

I wish I could help you but I don't have much knowledge about accelerated BSN programs. I see a lot of people going into those since you would become an RN much faster than a traditional program.

There are lots of scholarships for nursing students, especially hospital programs. Do a little research on the scholarship programs your school has with the local hospitals. These hospitals pay your full tuition and a stipend for gas or books as long as you sign a contract yo work for them for 2-3 years.

If you can't find info on the school of nursing websites, you might find info on the hospital's website. I think this is the way to go for you.

Good luck =)

[ImThatGuy, BSN, RN]

Finish the BA, get a job and work, then go to either the ADN or accelerated BSN...whichever is fastest and cheapest. You can work and go to school. Multitudes of us that don't like relying on assistance do it.

[LexiG]

If you are already so invested in your BA I would just finish it. I understand wanting to make money but either way your not going to wake up with a six figure paycheck in the next year with any of those options. Maybe with your BA and current financial aid you could work in some pre-reqs somehow? Talk to a counselor to see if it's doable. And as far as a private BSN program they are super expensive, would take years to payback and there is no guarantee you would get hired as an RN right away. I like eagles wings suggestion about hospital programs.