[Wondergirl0905]

Originally Posted by Jules A

Fortunately in my area getting into a CC is based solely on your GPA and entrance exam. I was with ya until you added that you are borrowing for living expenses. We will have to agree to disagree this time.

I'll agree to disagree!

The program I'm in is an accelerated 16-month BSN program, which means no time to work, unless I want to sacrafice my GPA. But since I want to go on for my MSN, I want to keep it as high as possible. The people in our program that do work 10-20 hrs/wk have worse grades or are so miserable that they are bordering on a breakdown. So I decided to get extra loans so that I can stay out of work for duration of the program.

[anne_in_maryland]

I took out a loan for 50k but this was not just for nursing school. It was also for living expenses to compensate going from full time to part time and we also used it for some home repairs and remodeling. Honestly, it is paying for xmas, vacations and the kids extra activities too.

[Asherah]

I'm glad that this thread hasn't turned into something it could have, a few folks on their high horse about not taking loans and looking down on those who do (I'm being sincere). When it comes to school (and personal) finances, its important to keep in mind that all of us have varying long-term career goals and time in which we hope to take to get there. There is value for some of us in choosing the programs that we do, though many individuals may not be making the same choice. I am realistic about the loan balance I will have, the interest I will pay and the salary I will be making to start.

If an individual has their head on straight about the realities of taking loans to pursue their nursing school goal, I believe they are in good shape

[iwanna]

With all of the interest, I now owe $41,000. I am only an LPN. Originally, I started out in RN school. I went to school for MA before nursing school, so I exhausted all of my grant money. But, I was a single mom and used the extra on my kids. I have boo-koo interest because I kept putting it in deferrment, forebearance because I was not working.(on disability) And, it is very hard to get loan forgiven even if you are on disability. But, hopefully I will get back to work and start paying on it again.

[Jules A]

Originally Posted by Asherah

I'm glad that this thread hasn't turned into something it could have, a few folks on their high horse about not taking loans and looking down on those who do (I'm being sincere).

This is way passive aggressive and rather unnecessary, imo.

[tothepointe]

I have no consumer debt ( credit cards and car loans ) I do have $15,000 in federal loans from another degree but will not be taking out at more at this stage.

In response to the suggestion that student loans are not good debt that I believe is a incorrect assumption. Assuming your studying something that will give you viable skills then student loans are good debt. In todays economic climate I don't see any stocks or real estate thats really worth investing in ( there are exceptions I know ) but upgrading your skills strikes me as a good investment as look as you manage your debt right.

[Becca123183]

I paid for all of my pre-reqs out of pocket. But since starting NS so far i have about 8,500 but by this time next year it will be about 20,000. I took out more than i actually needed to help with living expenses... i know that a lot of ppl think that this is a horrible thing to do, but to me its worth it to be able to not work and concentrate completely on NS. So far its paying off...i am passing everything with flying colors. dont get me wrong, NS is hard, but if you put in the time it pays off.

[tothepointe]

Better to spend $20K on nursing school than 20K on purses

[Asherah]

Originally Posted by Jules A

This is way passive aggressive and rather unnecessary, imo.

You may certainly express your opinion, however I wrote that due to the fact that I have seen past threads turn into a downward spiral of that exact demonstration. My expression was not intended as a passive-aggressive display. To each his own.

[Becca123183]

Originally Posted by tothepointe

Better to spend $20K on nursing school than 20K on purses

so true!! at least i know that regardless of whether it takes me the rest of my life to pay it off, i will be able to afford to. as opposed to what i can afford to do now (which is not much, lol).