I did it and its so clear now

[IdianaCNA1993]

I went down to ITT tech yesterday and talked with them about there nursing program, after hearing so many wonderful things about it from my former co-workers and other people. I have no job, a car payment, and I live at home. I am looking for employment as a CNA or just minimum wage jobs but I seem to be getting no where on the other hand its only been close to a month since I got terminated. I am still going to look after I get settled in to the routine of school.

But theres just one thing Im so nervouse about right now I am planning on taking out student loans to pay the whole tuition and my car payment. Im glad that ITT has helped me more than anyother school I have looked in to and I feel confident in my decision and that Im going to get a good education and be able to start my life after I pass the bords.

BUT Im so afraid that after I graduate in 2- 2.5 years that I wont be able to get a job and that I wont be able to pay the loans back and I cant file for bankruptcy on an education(says the US government). I keep telling myself that hopfully in the near future I get a job as an aide and I can atleast have my foot in the foor for when I am officially an RN or atleast have the money saved up from working as an aide to pay the minimum on the principal for a while until I get a job that pays decent. I myself think that 53000 is to much for a nursing degree but I think it will be worth my while.

I tell myself 53000 in debt and making 35000-60000 a year is ok and I should have that debt paid off in a few years with my RN. but I am so afraid of debt and not being able to pay it I also decided to when it comes to the loan money dont spend it if you dont have to and then save what I can and use it to pay the loan off if I dont get a job after I graduate. but I got to do what I got to do I guess If I ever plan on moving out of my mom and dads and having a life. All I need to do now is score 75% on my HESI and go get signed up for the financial aide and register for my classes and Im set. Im just so nervouse about the money and getting through it all.

[sjtrk]

Which Ivy Tech are you looking at? I currently attend the Ft Wayne campus and while it is competitive, it's not impossible to get into. My pre req semester courses only run me about $2000 for the semester including books. Full time in the nursing program is roughly $3500 plus books. You'd be looking at $12-13,000 for your entire ASN degree. I'd definitely check in to other places. I have no idea about ITT as I've never researched them however I will say I'm friends/related to 9 nurses in this area and every one has said ITCC puts out some of the top nurses. Something to think about anyways because it would be a shame to spend so much money on an education, and not have them prepare you enough to pass the NCLEX. All you'd be left with if you couldn't pass your boards is a really expensive piece of paper. I wish you the best of luck in whatever you decide!!

[IdianaCNA1993]

mines the fortwayne campus too for ivy tech what a small world but all of your coments give me hope. Im going to just start by looking for a job and studying hard for my teas and start my remediation classes because I have a couple of them todo then take two pre reqs at a time so I am sure to get As in them just to be safe. I know with ivy techI wont have to take out any loans If I have a job that pays me above $9 an hour and gives me 36 or more hours and if I did it would be small ones my mom has agreed to give me gas money to go back and forth to school no matter what school I go to and Im going to make sure that ivy tech as the classes that transfer to IPFW or St francis incase I repeatedly get turned down from them I can apply at other nursing programs as well and maybe for different degrees like dental hygenist or respiratory therapy if I always get turned down from the other nursing programs but I think that ITT tech can wait until I have tried over and over and Im like 40 and have no other option but even then Ill probably go to med tech since I know for sure right now that med tech is accredited! and where and what is ITCC?

[patty89]

ITCC, Ivy tech community college :)

I'm glad you are going to be looking into other options :)

[IdianaCNA1993]

bummer I thought that ITCC stood for a different college and that my choices got larger lol

[larotcharen]

I understand how you feel. When I decided to go back to school, I still had all my science pre-requisites to do, and it felt like it was going to take forever. I just took them 1 per semester, and worked. I know you want to be out on your own, but if you have the opportunity to live at home, with minimal living expenses, then by all means, do it. You can still apply for financial aid through the community college as well. The first thing I did when I went back to school was to meet with a counselor who knew the nursing program really well so I could get good advice about what to do. Eventually, you will want to get your BSN, many employers are going to require it, so it is really important to make sure your units will transfer to a BSN program. Good luck to you! I know you'll make the decision that is right for you!

(BTW, I'm over 40 too....)

[nerol]

I strongly encourage you to speak with HR reps at the places you think you may want to work. In Ohio, hospitals prefer BSN prepared nurses and are requiring ADN nurses to go back to school. Proprietary School prepared nurses here are having trouble getting hired at hospitals. I know students who did there clinical at my hospital and were not offered employment due to their school not having proper accreditation. From my research federal government jobs and hospitals around here want nurses from schools accredited by one of these two agencies CCNE OR NLNAC. Please talk to local HR recruiters before you make your decision.

Best Wishes and be wise because the decisions we make now can affect our future

[blurredyearning]

ITT Tech is a terrible, for-profit school. STAY AWAY!

Many employers will laugh in your face if you bring them an ITT Tech 'degree.'

Not to mention, $50k+ is WAY too expensive for a 2-year degree. Hell, I'll graduate next May with 2 bachelors and an associates for that price ...

[heydelilah]

Whenever someone is looking into for profit schools I like to reference them to the GAO summary on their investigation into the recruiting and sales practices of for profits. Not to say that they all practice this way (Keiser in my home town had a wonderful reputation and their graduates were readily hired alongside they state university grads), but more often than not they will. If you check out the Admissions/Registrar positions for some of the schools you're looking at I guarantee they have a line referring to commissioned sales experience.

[rainyn]

Just keep in mind that the ITT people you talk with are recruiters, have a quota, and are commission based. My dad use to be a assistant dean at one of them. He said to me that their programs are great, but also agreed their tuition is enormously high because they are profit driven. They have a great retention rate because their student services really keep after their students and will even call you if you miss a class to make sure you will be back. Again, it's all about their bottom line numbers. The universities and community colleges are also driven to keep their passing rate and ect. high, but they are not under the pressure of profit and in constant jeopardy of losing their jobs, like the admission/retention staff at ITT are. I have also heard of people that have a hard time getting their credits transferable from technical schools to state schools when they go on for higher degrees. I would check with your local state schools to make sure they recognize credits from ITT. You never know what the future brings and if you will decide to go on for a higher degree.