How much do you really make?

Linexox · Dec 19, 2015

Hello 100K is pretty a sum for nursing. Best advise would be to do the LPN program, then you can probably get a job and pay for nursing school as you go for your bachelors.

Which country are you planning on staying after nursing school?

pixiestudent2 · Dec 19, 2015

Depends greatly on where you live. I make about 50k before taxes as a new grad. And the cost of living is not low.

needlesmcgeeRN, ASN, RN · Dec 19, 2015

I'm a newer nurse and I make 47000.00 before taxes. Which isn't a lot, but I'm not doing bedside/hands-on nursing, so I think it's decent enough to start out. One of my friends also works for the same company and she was able to negotiate for quite a bit more, but I was just happy to get the job.

flyersfan88 · Dec 19, 2015

Do not take out that much money for a BSN. You will never pay it off and your loans will eat you alive. You will not make 70k as a new grad unless you live somewhere with an outrageous cost of living, negating the decent pay. Just don't do it.

KelRN215, BSN, RN · Dec 19, 2015

Taxes will be roughly 25% of your salary.

I graduated from a nationally ranked university with my BSN in 2007. The total cost of my education was over $150K, I graduated with over $90K in student loans. I STILL OWE $35K on my student loans. I do not regret my college experience and my degree from my alma mater has afforded me many fantastic opportunities, just consider if you want to be paying for your degree for 10 years.

Neural · Dec 19, 2015

It would depend on where you're going to work (hospital vs. LTC, etc), as well as your location in the U.S.

For instance, it's reasonable for a new grad in a hospital to work 'part-time', 50-60 hours in a pay period (two weeks), for about $30 an hour (before taxes and insurance, etc), give or take a few bucks.

That's a far cry from the $90,000/year salaries that you hear people boasting about, but that's still attainable...in time.

joanna73, BSN, RN · Dec 19, 2015

Ask yourself if you're comfortable paying 700-800 a month for student loans on a 50 k salary?

AnnaK12 · Dec 19, 2015

omg where do i start? :) i didnt expect to get such a fast answer. Thank you very very much to all of you!

So to roughly answer your question.

I am Austrian. When I work as a nurse in Europe, i will mostly likely around 20,000 Euros (roughly 22 K $) a year. This is after taxes and Insurance.

To be honest 22 K are actually considered as a very good income!

however with that money, i have to pay rent, car, food, maybe 1 vacation a year. it is really not that easy to live in Europe.

This is why i decided to get my education in the US, because I would make a bit more money here. But the downside is here I have to take this huge amount of debts out. but I will be also earn a bit more money. I was so convinced about it at the beginning, but after 2 years I feel like "what Have I done" "Am I insane?" 100 K for school??

I feel the older i get now the more worried I am if this is really worth it...

To be honest I don't know where I wanna live yet. its all up in the air. But If I continue my studies here, which I actually kinda want, (except the money issue), I have to work in the US. i wouldnt be able to pay everything in europe off otherwise... That will really cause a problem, carrying such a great amount of debts.

Could you give me some more infromation about the LVN program? Will I be able to get after the LVN a BAchelor degree? Are LVN classes transferable? How long will this all take?

And I am currently in Southern California. I have relatives and my friends so i wouldnt really consider moving somewhere else in the US.

I think the most important question what I have to all of you. Are you happy with what your are doing? Was going through nursing school really worth it?

Again, thank you very much to all of you! and Happy holidays :)

mago8388 · Dec 19, 2015

Try Puerto Rico. I graduated from Interamerican University. They have an all English trimester program where you earn your BSN in 3 years and it's accredited by ACEN at a fraction of the price of schools in the US. I only took 10k on loans only because I wanted to use part of that for a used car because public transportation there sucks and I also got my braces. We did our clinicals at VA hospital and we were allowed to practice IV sticks in patients. Here in US that will never fly in a hospital or most hospitals. I've been thinking about moving get there for 2 years and going to their CRNA program.

mago8388 · Dec 19, 2015

Forgot to mention that Puerto Rico is a US territory and a lot of people don't know that.

JustBeachyNurse, LPN · Dec 19, 2015

Are you a citizen/permanent resident or on a student visa? Non citizens/PR are ineligible for financial aid& student loans. A condition of the student visa is that you must show proof of funds to pay your room, board, tuition and other living expenses for your entire degree. If you don't have $100,000USD find something else.