How much is too much?

Advanced Practice Columnist / Guide · Oct 7, 2016

I went to graduate school in the early part of the previous decade when one can find on-campus programs in state universities with approximately $300+ per credit tuition so in a Master's program with 45 or so credits my total cost was something around $20,000. On top of that relatively low cost, I received a HRSA grant which covered half of my tuition so I finished my ACNP program with no debt and didn't have to default on my mortgage (lol) by keeping a full time job as an RN.

Nowadays, even state universities charge anything from $700-1,000 per credit so the cost has more than doubled. With inflation, I would say that if I were to attend school now, I'd be willing to pay no more than $50,000 for a program but that's just me. I would also want to have some peace of mind that the degree I'm trying to obtain will pay-off in terms of job placement and advancement.

One thing I notice on your post is that you are set on WHNP. Is there enough opportunities in that field where you live? I am certainly not the expert on job markets but WHNP is a narrow field for NP's compared to the other more popular tracks which leads me to think that if I were in your situation, I would want to make sure I could easily find employment before I invest my money on it.

gettingbsn2msn, MSN, RN · Oct 7, 2016

If I had not gone back to school when I did (2006) there is no way that I could pull this off today. I have a kid in college as well and its near impossible to afford today. Totally unsustainable. $ 70k way too much, imo.

gelli.25 · Oct 7, 2016

To be completely honest, that is a lot of money. I would never pay that much for a NP degree - especially when there is so many affordable options around. But, that's just me. Though I am young with no kids - I do not want to deal with the burden of paying back 70K when I'm done with school, no thank you. The cost of my overall program is a little under 20K, and I plan to have that paid off at the end of my program - paying as I go.

__patiently_waiting · Oct 9, 2016

I agree that 70k is a lot of debt when there is much cheaper out there. Regarding the WHNP job opportunities in my area, they are very few and far between. However, I know that I only want to work in women's health and not interested in any other NP specialty. With the possible difficulties of finding a job, that is also another reason why I believe $70k is way too much. I would like to be able to live comfortably and pay back loans with my current salary (in case I don't find employment right away), and that would be impossible with such debt.

I did try to find WHNP/FNP dual programs, and I only found two; one of which is the school I initially posted about. I can only imagine that it would be way more expensive.

I have started looking into other online schools and have found a few that would cost around $30-35k, which is much cheaper than 70. I haven't decided on anything yet, but still doing my research.

I won't go into it and expect to be employed right out of school, but that is a sacrifice I'm willing to make. I'd hope to find something in 6 months or less, but if that doesn't happen I may have to relocate to an area with better job opportunities. I'm in my twenties, no kids, and would have minimal debt, so that could be an option.

applesxoranges, BSN, RN · Oct 9, 2016

My FNP will cost around 40,000 to 45,000 and that includes paying someone to find preceptors for me... I actually can probably save closed to 1,500 to 3,000 by using some friends but I am mixed about that. This is for a FNP program which is kind of more marketable than a WHNP. Looking at a lot of job postings (in my area), they list FNP or acute care depending on the positions. Adult-geri still get hired in the area often too. WHNP? I honestly haven't seen postings for just WHNP. Planned Parenthood advertises for FNP/CNM in my area, health departments advertise for CNM or FNP, and I know my ob/gyn utilizes an FNP. I think the ob/gyn I babysat for used a WHNP and a FNP. I know you're not interested in other areas, but keep in mind that FNP is more marketable.

__patiently_waiting · Oct 10, 2016

I agree that FNP is more marketable, but my passion lies in Women's Health. I would much rather take my chances and go for a degree that may take me longer to find a job, but I will be happy doing it, as opposed to doing FNP (and possibly not being able to get a job in Women's Health), have to settle for something outside of that scope, and hate it.

Unfortunately, I have come to the realization that it may be a little harder for me to get into a WHNP program without actual women's health experience. Most schools want you to have some experience in women's health before starting clinical, however, I am in the NICU so I'm not sure how that might affect my chances of getting into these programs.

applesxoranges, BSN, RN · Oct 11, 2016

I strongly encourage you to take a look at your doctor offices in the area and other women health providers. Who are they hiring? Try to make sure you have a job though.

CNM may be more beneficial almost.

reggaemuffin, MSN, NP, CNS · Oct 20, 2016

I agree that 70k is a lot of debt when there is much cheaper out there. Regarding the WHNP job opportunities in my area, they are very few and far between. However, I know that I only want to work in women's health and not interested in any other NP specialty. With the possible difficulties of finding a job, that is also another reason why I believe $70k is way too much. I would like to be able to live comfortably and pay back loans with my current salary (in case I don't find employment right away), and that would be impossible with such debt.
I did try to find WHNP/FNP dual programs, and I only found two; one of which is the school I initially posted about. I can only imagine that it would be way more expensive.
I have started looking into other online schools and have found a few that would cost around $30-35k, which is much cheaper than 70. I haven't decided on anything yet, but still doing my research.
I won't go into it and expect to be employed right out of school, but that is a sacrifice I'm willing to make. I'd hope to find something in 6 months or less, but if that doesn't happen I may have to relocate to an area with better job opportunities. I'm in my twenties, no kids, and would have minimal debt, so that could be an option.

The good thing is you know all this up front. You were smart enough to do the research and can now make an educated decision. If you go over to the NP boards there's a tons of posts from grads who didn't realize how bad the job market is where they live and are panicking.

__patiently_waiting · Oct 21, 2016

Since the last post I started volunteering at a Women's Health clinic just to get a feel for it to make sure that is what I want to do before I decide to apply to a program. After a few months I hope to get a part-time job there, and that will help me with the experience I need as far as actually getting into a program, as well as the clinical portion of the program; and perhaps it might make it a little easier for me to get a job once graduating depending on how well I network.

As far as what doctors offices are hiring around here, in a few clinics I've noticed some of them advertise for both FNP and WHNP. Not sure what they would prefer, but I'm assuming WHNP just because there's more training in that field, but I guess it all depends.

I'm still doing research on everything, especially in my area. Haven't 100% made up my mind yet but I'll keep you guys updated.