I go to UPenn. Tuition is $125,000.00. If you add cost of living for the 24 month program it is more like $175,000.00. With interest for Grad Plus loans at around 7.5% I'm looking at $30,000.00 in interest conservatively.
That doesn't include books, equipment, licenses, background checks, mandatory drug screenings, and commuting. I would tack on another $5,000.00 - $7,500.00.
The reason I'm bringing this up is that many RN's are so anxious to get into school that they forget to ask how much it costs until it's tool late. We all want so badly to be CRNA's and we wind up paying more than we ever imagined in lost wages, tuition, and interest. The margin between how much it costs to attend school and salaries/benefits we enjoy is narrowing. The schools don't really advertise these costs either.
Also, as a culture I believe we should put our cards on the table concerning money and salaries more often. I don't think it's in bad taste. It only HELPS us all to know how much the next guy is paying and making so that we have more bargaining power!
Let's talk!!