Tons of student loans, pursue DNP still?

Nursing Students NP Students

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hello all,

it's been quite some time since i've posted on here. i am currently a rn, bsn that graduated last august. i have been employed as an rn for almost 9 months now. i am looking to further my degree and move into the position i've always wanted to be, that is a family nurse practitioner. so, here i am now, looking to pursue my degree and i think i'd rather just go for the dnp degree rather than the msn in fnp. i've already checked into quite a few programs and am very interested in them.... my issue?

well, i already have a ton of student loans from when i was in nursing school to attain my bsn (it was accelerated, so i had to take out private loans for living expenses). i really don't want to add more student loans, but if i want to pursue my dream, i think i'm going to have to. yes, i've already looked into tuition reimbursement at my employer (which they don't for this profession because they have too many), and scholarships.... but none of that is guaranteed anyhow.....

the other thing i don't know is, how much time does graduate school take per class for studies and homework? is it like nursing school was: for every 1 hour in class, there are 2-3 hours of studying and homework? i am still working full time and i will continue to work full time, but i also have two younger children that i don't want to be absent from (like i felt i was during nursing school).

any advice?

thanks so much!

Specializes in Neuro ICU/Trauma/Emergency.
Most DNP programs will allow you to take up to 5 years to complete. Why not begin a program full-time (before you'll have to juggle clinical hours) and then reduce to part-time if need be later?

People value and hold dear different things differently, and you know what? 'Aint nothin' wrong with that. Some people place a great deal of value in their life on a lack of debt. Many people literally cannot be happy with too much debt because they worry themselves sick with it. Personally, I am a happier person moving forward with my educational and professional goals so that I can practice in the manner I believe I am best suited - even though that means taking on some extra debt. I may have some added financial/lifestyle burden in the end, but my life and my practice will be enriched, and that is more valuable to me than money. To each their own.

I won't say anything about your kids, because in the absence of real neglect or harm, I think telling other people how to raise their children is the nth degree of tackiness. Only you can know whether or not you are striking the proper balance in your family life.

Cue the news crew from 2007 when the economy tanked! Your story was all too familiar!

The same optimistic ones who didn't plan according found themselves indebted to the government, Sallie Mae, Bank Of America, Citibank..etc. Cue the music for the Wall Street collapse..Because they over lend to individuals with this ridiculous American dream the stock market tanked! Cue the theme song for "All in the Family"..

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Specializes in ..

i won't say anything about your kids, because in the absence of real neglect or harm, i think telling other people how to raise their children is the nth degree of tackiness. only you can know whether or not you are striking the proper balance in your family life.

the op began by saying.... i am still working full time and i will continue to work full time, but i also have two younger children that i don't want to be absent from (like i felt i was during nursing school).

did anyone else read any comments about how the op should raise her kids? seems the op asked how much time grad school demands as she was concerned about time with her kids.

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Specializes in Neuro ICU/Trauma/Emergency.
the op began by saying.... i am still working full time and i will continue to work full time, but i also have two younger children that i don't want to be absent from (like i felt i was during nursing school).

did anyone else read any comments about how the op should raise her kids? seems the op asked how much time grad school demands as she was concerned about time with her kids.

our intents are clear! of course, those who would act irresponsibly are going to interpret the information to affirm their own lifestyles. at the end of the day, when you ask in open forum the opinions of others, you should be willing to hear the good-bad-and in between.

many of us share the same logic. it's now up to the op to decide what's best for her life!

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It seems to me the OP already knew what she wanted to do, and was just seeking confirmation that how she would go about it was A-Ok. Some gave her that confirmation, and that's what she responded to overwhelmingly. Those who sought to steer her in another direction were ignored (by the OP).

She already has decided what she's going to do. The rest is all...commentary.

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Honestly, alot of the advice you are getting regarding holding back and waiting until you get a certain magical amount of experience is probably from individuals who are simply jealous that you are trying to follow your dreams. You need to just try and get it done so you don't regret it later. You don't want to be one of those people who just puts up barriers to their own dreams.

Yeah, that's it. You got me pegged. I'm jealous of the OP's need to get herself so far buried in debt and lost time from her children that I'm positively green.

Please.

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Specializes in ..

She already has decided what she's going to do. The rest is all...commentary.

No need to look for her here in five years; she'll be posting on a different message board, "The Bankruptcy Forum".

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Specializes in Primary Care.
it seems to me the op already knew what she wanted to do, and was just seeking confirmation that how she would go about it was a-ok. some gave her that confirmation, and that's what she responded to overwhelmingly. those who sought to steer her in another direction were ignored (by the op).

she already has decided what she's going to do. the rest is all...commentary.

actually rnsrwe..... i've been working, therefore unable to respond to any of the recent posts past that one day..... so, don't be so quick to make an assumption based on lack of my response. i'm still reading all of the responses and no, i haven't decided what i'm going to do. thanks for your so called "supportive" response. my patients are more important than responding on here, obviously.

but, after reading all the responses, i think i'll look for the msn program instead of the dnp program, take a little bit of time before beginning a new program, payoff some more of my current loans, and apply for loan forgiveness programs in the meantime..... so, i think that's my plan for now.....

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Specializes in Primary Care.
no need to look for her here in five years; she'll be posting on a different message board, "the bankruptcy forum".

sorry, but i'm a bit wiser than that.... that's why i was getting some input from all of you..... plus, you can't write off any student loans in bankruptcy (but you should already know that). interesting group of supporters here.... i suppose there are a few out of the norm.

i've decided to wait a while, pay more towards my current loans, and look into the msn program instead of the dnp program for now......

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Specializes in Forensic Psych.

Sorry OP, I think one rude post aimed at almost everyone who responded kind of turned the thread in a negative direction. Good luck with whatever path you choose!

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Specializes in ..

Good decision! Even though student loans can't be written off in bankruptcy (if you scroll back, you'll see that I told you that in a previous post), those student loans can drive you into bankruptcy. It's not easy to have your heart set on something and have a bunch of people throw cold water on your plan. To many of us, it simply sounds like a dangerous path--losing time with your young kids, going deeper into debt, being overburdened with work, classes plus clinical hours, and pursuing a career that may be beyond saturated with grads. If it were just one of those things, most of us would probably say, 'go for it!', but you're facing a very tough road with lots of hurdles to cross, so those on this board (most with years of experience and maybe even personal mistakes similar to what you were in the verge of making) are cautioning you against taking that path right now.

When people give advice that you don't want to hear, it's not that they're not supporting you--it very well could be that they ARE being supportive and simply don't want you to fail.

Best of luck!

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actually rnsrwe..... i've been working, therefore unable to respond to any of the recent posts past that one day..... so, don't be so quick to make an assumption based on lack of my response..

actually, mo, i was reacting to the fact that the half dozen people posting to you that they didn't think you had outlined a very good plan were, essentially, told that they were wrong in each of your response posts, and the first post that told you it wasn't a bad plan got "thank you! a positive response!" assumption wasn't based on your lack of response, it was the type you did post.

all of those posts to you were positive, as i'd already said. they just weren't what you wanted to to hear. no need to jump down my throat for posting my observation. that said, it's good that you've decided to follow some of the very good suggestions you got here, none of which included encouraging you down the path you originally intended.

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Specializes in CT ICU, OR, Orthopedic.
To the OP:

I believe how much debt for grad school is a personal decision. I would not be comfortable going to a high priced school. Therefore, I am going to University of South Alabama. I will say their tuition is very reasonable and there is no hidden fees. I am just doing the MSN (Adult CNS). I do not have the desire to go to school longer or pay for the DNP. I am in the middle of my program now for CNS. I am thankful and feel so blessed for going back to school, but even more thankful that it will be done in 5 semesters ;-) I say don't rush to go to grad school. Have your ducks in a line! It is not only the financial barriers but the fact that your life will be saturated in the books and computer when school is in session. You may also not be able to work once clinicals start either (I start clinical in the fall). Just some food for thought. Grad school is hard and you will spend a lot of time working on papers and reading. I don't have an exact number but pretty much I work 3 twelve hour shifts and the other four days are entirely dedicated to my schoolwork.

Luckily for myself I had only $13,000 of student loan debt for my BSN ten years ago (paid off). I was also in the Air National Guard and had some GI benefits to help me out for grad school. I have work reimbursement but choose not to use it. I would rather pay school myself and not be stuck working there after school. I like my job but want my options opened after graduation.

My advice for you is just to do your research and not rush it! It is a big commitment!

I looked this information up below on the internet for you. A general rule of thumb for you to go by. I prefer easy, simple, facts to go by.................

Grad School Math: Which Degrees Are Worth the Debt

When it comes to determining how much a degree is worth, the "starting-year salary" guideline is a good rule of thumb. Basically, prospective grad students should calculate what their expected salary at graduation, then borrow no more than that amount. According to the Student Loan Network, most federal student loans follow a 10-year repayment schedule, which means that students who limit borrowing to a year of salary can expect to dedicate about 10% of their paychecks to paying off their educational debts -- a manageable percentage. By contrast, they note, students who borrow 15% or more stand a much greater likelihood of defaulting.

Grad School Math: Which Degrees Are Worth the Debt - DailyFinance

Excellent advice!

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