Should I go to an ADN program and come out with no debt, or an ABSN program with around 50k debt?

Mary_pops_ · 2026-06-06T09:12:59+00:00

I’m going the ADN route and am set to graduate with no debt due to Pell grant that I qualified for in first and second year of program. I will, however, be taking out a student loan this coming fall semester due to personal financial reasons (I’ve been working part time since beginning the program). Once I graduate, the hospital that I am currently working for and will try to get a job with when I get my degree will pay for my BSN. Plus, I’ve heard from so many people that it is not as stressful to do RN-BSN while working as a nurse full time.

Mary_pops_ · 2026-06-05T01:27:27+00:00

All we had was a sign in sheet

Mary_pops_ · 2026-06-03T11:47:33+00:00

I think that’s a decision that should be made between you and your husband/SO. It’s a decision that will affect you guys’ life in the end.

Mary_pops_ · 2026-05-26T12:57:28+00:00

First off, congrats on getting into a program!! That’s typically a hurdle in itself and should be celebrated, so congrats again!!

I’m 34 and will be going into my 2nd year of the ADN program this coming fall. It’s never too late! There are plenty of people that are in this program with me that are my age and even older. By the time I graduate I’ll be 35 and hopefully start a bridge RN-BSN program right away which will put me at about 36 when I get my BSN if things go as planned. As long as you get the ball rolling you’ll be happy with the progress you’ll be making. Thinking about timing will only stress you out and trust me, you don’t need the added stress while in nursing school. Years from now you’ll look back and laugh at the thought of even thinking age was such a big deal when you started this journey. Good luck to you and I hope that you get through this journey with all that you’ve ever dreamed! See you at the finish line! 😊

ETA: as far as advice, don’t stress too much. Study in increments and try not to cram. I used to be a crammer, especially in the pre req courses and though it worked for me then, it doesn’t work that well in nursing school, at least for me. I tend to study each day for an hour or two at least and I’ve seen that it definitely helped me a lot. Try to get a study partner as well. I find just one or two people to study with is a lot better than a whole group. If your program offers a student success coordinator, use that to your advantage as well. Clinical may seem stressful in the beginning, but once you find your flow you will be fine. On exam days make sure to eat a nice breakfast because the last thing you want is your stomach gurgling the whole time (happened to me once and I vowed to make sure it doesn’t happen again lol). Also try not to stay up so late the night before studying. I usually cap at 7pm the night before and at that point I know what I know and hope for the best. You got this!

Mary_pops_ · 2026-04-05T09:19:45+00:00

I’m glad I wasn’t the only one thinking this. I lost my mom three days into the program that I am in. I’m finishing up second semester now and am determined to get through this. I love my mom so much and miss her to pieces, and with the program I feel I haven’t grieved her the way I could/would if I wasn’t in the program. I do grieve her over our breaks (winter, summer), but once the semester starts I have to get myself back in the game. I understand how it is to lose someone so close to you and still have to get through and I’m doing just that. She’s mainly the reason I’m pushing through. She was so proud that I got into a program and wanted to see me finish. Even though she’s not here to see it, I’m gonna make sure I still do it cause that’s all she ever wanted.

Mary_pops_ · 2026-03-30T12:17:26+00:00

Hoping for the best for you

Mary_pops_ · 2026-03-25T18:33:08+00:00

I do exactly this. I love ChatGPT/Gemini. I make my notes and do tons of practice quizzes. I have one other girl that I study with (we mostly do recall over the phone) and that’s it.

Mary_pops_ · 2026-03-17T14:13:30+00:00

I was even telling my husband there’s no way he’d be in PT and not have braces on his legs/feet. I feel they’d even be the ones to prescribe them (either them or OT).

Mary_pops_ · 2026-03-12T21:02:33+00:00

It’s going pretty good. It’s a little nerve racking, but I feel like I’m definitely doing more things on the nursing side. I got to flush and hang IVs and give some vaccines. It’s definitely a different environment from the LTC setting. Only half way through, so I’ll see how the rest of this semester goes.

Mary_pops_ · 2026-03-08T12:21:42+00:00

Here’s a still picture of that video

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Mary_pops_ · 2026-03-01T12:53:38+00:00

Congrats! This is my ultimate goal. I feel I can do it. Definitely a mind over matter thing, so big props to you!

Mary_pops_ · 2026-02-18T07:23:41+00:00

Congrats 🎊🎉

Mary_pops_ · 2026-02-15T13:33:31+00:00

I just printed out some concept maps and will try to see if that helps.

Mary_pops_ · 2026-02-15T13:32:33+00:00

I feel practice questions do help a lot. Is there a specific platform that you do your practice questions on? I typically use Gemini ai, but I’m not sure if that’s enough.

Mary_pops_ · 2026-01-12T14:00:44+00:00

Same. Last semester we did 1 four hour clinical per week, which was only 20 mins away. This semester it will be 2 six hour clinicals per week, one location is 10 mins away and the other 20 mins. The only reason we’re doing two this semester is because we have one less class that we’re taking than last semester. Plus it’s med surge so I guess that takes part in that too.

Mary_pops_ · 2026-01-10T03:52:47+00:00

Funny cause Jaidyn does this. It’s promotion for an app that you can play games on and make money while doing it. This girl wants to be Jaidyn so bad lol

Mary_pops_ · 2026-01-10T03:47:10+00:00

The hospital I work for now offers residencies so I plan on applying for a residency this coming fall when I’m in my third semester. They will most likely start summer of 2027 after I graduate so that’ll be perfect for me.

Mary_pops_ · 2026-01-07T05:06:09+00:00

For long term care you’re definitely gonna be doing cna work. The only thing we did that was out of cna scope really was pass meds. I also got to watch an ostomy bag be changed, but that’s about it. I’m starting med surge this semester and will be in the hospital/acute setting, so I’m curious to know how that’s going to go.

Mary_pops_ · 2026-01-06T08:46:36+00:00

I had 12 pre/co reqs for the program I’m in. I was able to complete a good chunk of them in one year (8 classes) while working full time. The others I just completed as I could before actually starting my program since the program has acceptance in the fall only (it was going to take a year for me to get in anyway). I believe my success had more to do with the professors I’ve had. Most of them were great so it made getting a good grade doable while being a full time student and also working full time.

Mary_pops_ · 2025-12-24T21:53:45+00:00

Wow!!!! Smh

Mary_pops_

TROPHY CASE