[coopsc1]

Hello all, just wondering if there are any Loyola BSN graduates out there than can give me any advice on the program. I am looking for an accelerated BSN program and I see that Rush offers one also. Just looking for some insight. Thanks
Scott

[Paranurse77]

I'm a Loan-ola grad.... My advice is this: Go to a state school if you can....

While an ABSN program appears appealing due to the 12-15 month length. It is far more financially beneficial to attend a traditional program and go to school for the whopping extra year... At a third of the cost.....

Both Rush and Loyola cost $30,000+ tuition and fees only... Plus you'll need living expenses which in Chicago are not cheap... Some people worked.. Mostly guys in the program...

During school I was single and completely financially independent, my cost for living loans was $25,000... And I worked part time.....

Total cost for Loan-ola...approx. $60,000 including extra's such as books, food, etc. etc.

I lived in a studio apt. and drove a bicycle which I still do...

And this may come a shock.... Nurses don't make that much money.... With over time, night shift/weekend diff., tuition reimbursement and a signing bonus I'll be lucky to make over $60,000 this year... I work in one of the "nicer" hospitals. Doing agency, weekend programs and working 50++ hours a week, may put you in the six figure range... But I know a few savvy, hard working nurses and they even fall short of 100K.

60K isn't too bad if you are single, ride a bike and live in a studio.... I have a nice life... With that salary..

It just depends what you want to do... Most of the men I know almost have to go to grad school, NP, CRNA, etc. just so they can keep their heads above water.

I'm not trying to be all doom and gloom... I love my job and the choices I made... Again it depends what you want to do... I just wish someone had told me something like this before I started the program...

Rush did have a program where you can essentially waive your tuition if you work for them for two years.... I don't know if that's still happening as the market has changed quite a bit.

I hate to say this, but the Army offers tuition assistance and $1250 a month for living expenses if you sign up during a program.. $30,000K for the reserve.... I knew a couple guys who had to do this, or rather wanted to do this so they weren't swimming in debt. It's still something I consider...

Oh, and being a male can work for you or against you... If you are self supporting, good luck.... Private school is full of princesses...

[coopsc1]

Thanks a lot for the advice. The programs here in Colorado are about the same price (30K), plus they require a lot of prerequsites that I don't have and refuse to take (religious studies, sociology, health care ethics, etc...)! My fiance is a pharmacist, so if we move to Chicago hopefully she can support us with her salary and I am hoping to work part-time. To be honest I really want to be a nurse anesthetist and I want to do it in a timely manner. I have noticed that you can't say that on this site, or you will catch hell! I don't mind spending time in the ICU, but I would like to get the BSN ASAP. Other than the cost of the program and the high cost of living, how was the program. Was it organized? Was it more of a Monday-Friday or was it all over the place? Was there time to work on the weekends for extra cash? Thanks again for the info....
Scott

[Nurse190]

Coopsc I could not agree with PN77 more. If you want to be treated like a second class citizen, lose all your self-esteem, self-respect and feelings of humaness attend an ABSN program ASAP. If I were you and had some common sense I would have attended a traditional or ADN program. My advice for what it is worth is to think about another career such as a zookeeper, beekeeper, dolphin trainer, post office worker, accountant, lawyer, massage technician, nail technician, cook, or dry cleaner owner operater. These are just a few suggestions but you my want to visit your local university and make an appointment at their career office and take a career interest inventory.
Good Luck!
Please let me know if you go into accounting, I could use help with my taxes this year.

[coopsc1]

Okay I don't really know what that was all about.....
I already have a career in healthcare but I am interested in becoming a nurse anesthetist!!! I know that nurses are overworked and underpaid! However, I like what CRNA's do and THAT is why I want to do an ABSN program. Everyone in my family is in the nursing field, whether it be ADN, LPN, etc...
Thanks for your input
Scott

[Gompers]

Originally Posted by coopsc1

Thanks a lot for the advice. The programs here in Colorado are about the same price (30K), plus they require a lot of prerequsites that I don't have and refuse to take (religious studies, sociology, health care ethics, etc...)!

Are you sure Loyola isn't going to require you to do the same? In order to graduate from Loyola you need to take a certain number of philosophy and theology courses (3 each, 6 total I believe) because it's a Jesuit Catholic school. Also, why do your refuse to take those kinds of classes? Heath care ethics, especially, is a very important class for nurses to experience.

[coopsc1]

I actually spoke asked someone at Loyola about the philosophy courses, etc.. and they said that it wasn't needed for the accelerated BSN program. And I have already taken Health Care ethics in grad school but the school here (Regis University) will not accept it. They charge 500 bucks a credit hour..yikes, and that is before you pay 30 k for the program.

[niubiochem]

I started the Loyola ABSN and quit after the summer session.

Save your dignity and go somewhere else that will treat you more professionally than what a high school freshman is treated.
They are all smiles until they have your money. Good luck after that.

Loyola made me very sad.

Im going to my local community college because i feel that the education there will be more professional and I'll be treated like a decent human being.

[Kathyz]

Wow!! I have a master's at Loyola in Psych and applied to their ABSN program and was very disappointed I didn't get in. My friend got in and after a few weeks she was already going crazy!! I guess in the end it's good I'm going to Oakton and spending $3,000 for 2 years. That's fine. My son is 17 and I like being home with him so there's no rush. One year down.

[niubiochem]

Aww, that's a bummer and a blessing at the same time Kathyz.

I feel bad that you didnt get in like you wanted, but take my word, the program is not well organized and most (not all) of the faculty are very unpleasant to be around. They treat you like you are incompetent. There's a big difference between treating someone like they are learning new material and treating them as if they are inferior for not knowing it.
Funny thing is, my concentration for my first undergrad was human and cellular biology (pre med). I understood the science behind the body better than my generic MSN educated instructors! They stumbled a lot to answer questions about "why" something needs to be done and sometimes bullcrapped responses that were completely wrong. I actually wondered why i wasnt going to a community college if i was being educated by generic MSNs.

I'll probably make another post on here explaining why you should save yourself and go somewhere else. Everything from accidentally overloaded (The absn is designed for about 70 students and they accidentally accepted 150) classes that leave you taking tests on the floor to sending homework assignments to you the night before they are due because the instructor forgot to mention it in class.

It was a mess to say the least and nearly everyone there complained every day of how they regret their choice for loyola.

Kathyz, you will probably be better off doing 2 years. In the long run, you'll save more money and come out ahead. If Loyola was more organized and valued their students, I'd say go for it, but since it's not, youre in a better boat by going to a 2 year college. You'll make 50 cents an hour less than a bsn.... whoopdeedoo.

And in response to paranurse, I have no clue how you cant live off 50-60grand/year. it's great money. My parents raised a family of 6 on a combined total income of 45K.