I know Vanderbilt's one-year NP program is a little over $37,000. You go to clinicals there a few days a month. So that would cut down a lot on the driving, though I expect it would be an incredibly tough program to follow that way. I'm just average intelligence and not very bright but I've learned educational success doesn't necessarily depend on intellectual ability as much as diligence and hard work.

And I'm a hard worker. Anyway, back to the topic at hand...

That's a big chunk of money but how would it compare to going through a typical two-year program, paying whatever tuition they charge, using up your car driving to and from campus every day, gas, food expenses, etc...?

I am in NC at a state university and for 1 class (4 semester hours) tuition only was 799.05. This is not including books, gas, or equipment, just tuition.

I think Vanderbilt is a very expensive school. I could never swing that tuition or justify it.

Wow. I knew Vandy was expensive but didn't know how it compared to other schools. Maybe I can find a program online. I just don't want to be running back and forth to school everyday.

Make sure you can locate preceptors before you do that. I am in a state school and it still has been hard. I am driving 190 miles round trip to do clinical hours. It is hard to find people willing to do that. Read some of the other posts about finding preceptors. At least in an in class instead of online they seem more willing to help that way. Good luck in what ever you decide :biggringi

When I am finished with my education I'll have about $6,000 spent in tuition total for the BSN from getting an ASN first at a CC.

I absolutely refuse to have more student debt (or even close) to a full year salary. Because in the end, they don't pay more for you no matter where you graduated from.

When I am finished with my education I'll have about $6,000 spent in tuition total for the BSN from getting an ASN first at a CC.

I absolutely refuse to have more student debt (or even close) to a full year salary. Because in the end, they don't pay more for you no matter where you graduated from.

I got through ASN school with no debt, even though we were poor while I was doing it. But I'm proud to be able to say I'm not paying off student loans. And right now we have a combined income that allows us to use an extra (really good chunk of money) a month. So we were figuring we could pay Vandy off in less than a year, but I realize it is stupid to pay that kind of money of you can do it cheaper some other way.

I was attracted to Vanderbilt's program because it was a year in length and the clinicals are not only just 4-5 days a month on campus, but the school isn't far away.

I was blown away by their ASN to MSN track though (~26k first year, 37K second year). I am literally a few courses away from a BSN (I have all the prerequisites done) so why wouldn't I at least get the BSN a much cheaper route (Excelsior College).

I was considering if I spent 37k on Vanderbilt's one year program where I have few travel expenses how would that compare in the overall picture to spending two years in a traditional program, driving back and forth to school every day and the other expenses incurred with that?

I checked into Pioneer School of Midwifery and Family Nursing and I really liked what I saw from the website, but it looks like they are pricey, too, and from what I can see, with the two years it takes to get through that program (unless I'm wrong) there isn't a tremendous amount of difference between the price of that and the price of Vandy.

But I agree, cheap is better. I'm all for no school debt. Just weighing the options.

Vandy is very expensive, I definately agree with you on that. On their website though, they have a lot of information on scholarships ( http://www.mc.vanderbilt.edu/nursing/msn/scholarshipsint.html, and http://www.mc.vanderbilt.edu/nursing/msn/scholarshipsext.html ) If you work for Vandy (VUMC) you will get a discount on your tuition http://www.mc.vanderbilt.edu/nursing/msn/mcbenefit.html and I think you could go to school either full or part time, according to that website (it gives you figures on the costs).

I'm taking the FNP program at SLU (Saint Louis University). It's $768 a credit hour. But after I started the program I saw that it is worth it. There's almost no way you could fail, the instructors are are so good.

I'll have approx. over one hundred thousand dollars in student loans when I'm done but that's the only way I could swing it.

In Missouri the frequently have loan forgiveness programs and a lot of physicians in rural area will pay back a lot of your student loan for you if you come to work for them.

The program I'm doing is all online and I work fulltime.

Wow. I knew Vandy was expensive but didn't know how it compared to other schools. Maybe I can find a program online. I just don't want to be running back and forth to school everyday.

TSU has a NP program. I've heard it's good and alot of classes can be taken online. They are a state school so of course very reasonable. I have a friend who went to Western KY for her NP and loved it. Also a state school and if you live within so many miles of the KY border you pay in state tuition only. She lives in Nashville so you should qualify.

Belmont has an excellent program. Cheaper than Vanderbilt but more than a state school. If you work full-time for Vanderbilt Hospital you get your tuition free. Pay only for books & fees.

State school here.........right around 1000.00 to 1,200.00 per 3 or 4 hour grad class. I am taking one class at a time = no debt, very little stress and a happy home

A lot of classes at a time...very expensive school...and STILL a happy home and husband! LOL

Everyone has their own idea about what's acceptable. I had already done the public education + state school thing, and I must say, IMHO, this is a million times better (for *ME*).

Good luck with your decision!

LP