[whatshesaid]

Wow, way to be a debbie downer columbiaetp04!

[Alexandria8]

Um, thanks for your honesty negative nancy...I guess. A message board of people two weeks away from beginning the program is not exactly the appropriate place to be whining about your financial constraints though; perhaps you should impart your wisdom on the '09 program. Everyone here is well aware of how much the program costs and the fact that there are other alternatives. Someone looking to find Psych. NP programs however, can not go just anywhere, most programs do not offer this specialty. Keep in mind that people have many choices in healthcare today and, unfortunately, not everyone knows much about NP's and will often seek out the more familiar MD instead. Besides the obvious cost disadvantages, Ivy League credentials definitely ease people's concerns when choosing clinicians. I could go on, but who cares really...

[fnp4me]

Originally Posted by columbiaetp04

Virtually anyone who wants to get into any nursing school can get into any nursing school they want..

*muted trumpet* womm wommmmmm

[columbiaetp04]

Hey Alexandria8:

Interesting, I am a psych NP, just what you aspire to be. Let go through your assertions:

"Having Ivy League credentials definitely ease people's concerns when choosing clinicians" I don't go around telling everyone I meet I went to Columbia. You're not going to Columbia, you're going to Columbia Nursing. Trust me, getting into The Medical College of Wisconsin is a lot harder and more prestigous than getting into Columbia nursing. You only need about a 3.0 to get accepted, unless of course you try for the CRNA program. I mean when I started they accepted online courses for pre-requisites. Like I said before, your $115,000 Columbia degree won't open any more doors than a degree from SUNY Downstate.

"Everyone here is well aware of how much the program costs" Really? GOD I HOPE SO. Did anyone explain that it would cost $115,000, and that you would end up with variable rate loans, and that you will pay ONE THOUSAND DOLLARS A MONTH in student loan payments? By the way interest rates are quite low right now, and that payment could rise to as much as THIRTEEN HUNDRED DOLLARS A MONTH, with just a 2.5% increase in the Prime Rate? DID ANYONE EXPLAIN TO YOU THAT YOUR STUDENT LOAN PAYMENT EACH MONTH WILL EQUAL ABOUT 30% OF YOUR TAKE HOME PAY OR THAT ABOUT 1 AND 1/4 WEEKS PAY A MONTH WILL BE SPENT ON YOUR STUDENT LOAN PAYMENTS FOR ABOUT 15 YEARS OF YOUR WORKING LIFE?

If this is what you want, go ahead and do it. But do it with your eyes wide open. "IT DON"T MATTER TO ME."

[imuzykan]

I won't be attending Columbia, and this is really none of my business, but I can't help but mention that wow, your comments are completely inappropriate for this thread.

[Asherah]

Originally Posted by imuzykan

I won't be attending Columbia, and this is really none of my business, but I can't help but mention that wow, your comments are completely inappropriate for this thread.

That's a big second from my perspective as well. If the poster was trying to make a point and raise awareness of their experience there was surely a more professional way to do so without becoming inflammatory.

[columbiaetp04]

It just amazes me.

What you don't understand is that I am an ETP graduate. I am paying these loans now. I know what it's like to barely make ends meet and not be able to put money away in a 401k, and to not be able to afford a plane ticket to not see my family.

What would shut me up, is if some of you guys wrote about the financial cosiderations you have made. Have you really thought about what it takes to come of up $1000 - $1300 a month for 15 years? Did you know it would be $1000 - $1300 a month?

When I started ETP, no one made these things clear to me. Oscar is of no help in estimating what your monthly payments will be, and how long it will take to pay these loans off.

I wish someone had warned me.

Everybody loves ETP until the bills come.

[Asherah]

Originally Posted by columbiaetp04

What would shut me up, is if some of you guys wrote about the financial cosiderations you have made.

What would make you think current and future ETP students need to explain their personal financial planning to you? You've made your choice, you've voiced your opinion, now be done with it. If this is the only reason you've come to AllNurses, to post your rather abrasive and ineffective comments, consider your point made and you can bow out of this discussion.

[columbiaetp04]

Now all I asked is simply this: did anyone who is going to start ETP this month know that their payment will be $1000 - $1300 a month until I told them? I'll consider a lack of a direct response as a "NO."

I know I'm tearing people's dreams apart here, but you should be mad at Columbia not me. Hey, I am living the Columbia ETP nightmare, I'll see you in the nightmare 2-3 years from now! Excuse me for trying to let people know the facts.

In the meantime, enjoy that warm feeling you get knowing "you got into Columbia." In 2 years it will be the only thing you own.

[Asherah]

You have no idea how financially prepared (or unprepared) people are to handle their loan balances, or how long they will choose to repay their loans. BTW, I applied to Columbia, but I am not attending the ETP program. I know full well how much I will be repaying upon graduating from JHU and will already have begun paying on my loans while in school.

I would give future EPTers a bit more credit, don't force your anger and regret on everyone here. I'm sure most people won't even reply to your posts due to your downright mean and righteous tone. Again, I'll say, you've made your past choice, you've voiced your opinion. What exactly do you hope to pursue past this point? I believe many people will believe the same thing that I do, you seem angry and full of regret. Had you worded your original post in a more composed manner, perhaps you would have had a more productive response.