I live in California, and getting into nursing school is tough, because everybody's stats consist of a 4.0 GPA, and over a 90% on the TEAS. Also, even if you have these stats, you still could possibly get on the waitlist, as its impacted everywhere.
I applied and got accepted into the Accelerated BSN program at Roseman University in Utah. You become a RN in 16months, but comes at the whopping price of 60K. I already have my bachelors in biology, and currently have no loans from undergrad. It is a great school, and students have jobs lined up after they graduate... but 60K will be a quarter of student loans and the rest are private loans. Is this worth it? There's also living cost, but I've been working since I've graduated and have enough for rent and such.
PLEASE OFFER ANY ADVICE! I WOULD GREATLY APPRECIATE IT!! Thank you! (:
Have you looked into 2nd degree fast track programs? Since you already have a bachelors you could go a BSN fast track program. Usually they are through a private school, but it may reduce the cost just a little bit since the programs are usually only a year.
Oh and you have to find out how well known the program is. Like would the local hospitals and facilities hire the graduates? If it is a good school that employers look for, then it would be worth it. But if it is not a good school, and they have a low pass rate, then you may want to pass.
FYI I only have 35,000 in student loans, federal and private, and I pay a little more than $500 per month. So that's looking like $1000 per month for you. RNs do not make as much as you think they do.
I think if the OP will be going back to California to work it is 100% worth it. New grad RN's, in hospitals there, make $35-40 dollars an hour. I have a friend who who is in her third year as a nurse makes $90,000. She tells me that many RN's can clear $100,000 at her hospital. Granted this is if OP can find a job in CA right away.
Specializes in ICU, Telemetry, Cardiac/Renal, Ortho,FNP.
Are private schools worth it? No. They cost too much. However, if it's all you got then maybe you have no choice. Personally, nobody will care where you went to school. They just want a license number so get it any way possible and move on. There are a bazillion accelerated nursing programs around.
So here's my 2 cents for what it's worth. I currently am enrolled in a private, for-profit school. The cost is somewhat lower than yours but not much. My best suggestion would be to forget about the money for the moment and look into the education part of the college. Check with the state BON in Utah and see if there are any complaints or actions by the board against the school. The school I attend was actually on probation from the BON, a fact they declined to reveal until we were 6 months in (and before everyone starts yelling, Yes I should have been a better consumer! I know this). Also, see if you can find students who have already graduated from this program and talk to them to see what your getting into. Once we were in school and started talking to the seniors we realized the program wasn't what it seemed. It seems to me the education aspect is much more important than the amount of money. And just think, if you don't do your homework and check out the school, you'll owe all that money back for a substandard education.
So here's my 2 cents for what it's worth. I currently am enrolled in a private, for-profit school. The cost is somewhat lower than yours but not much. My best suggestion would be to forget about the money for the moment and look into the education part of the college. Check with the state BON in Utah and see if there are any complaints or actions by the board against the school. The school I attend was actually on probation from the BON, a fact they declined to reveal until we were 6 months in (and before everyone starts yelling, Yes I should have been a better consumer! I know this). Also, see if you can find students who have already graduated from this program and talk to them to see what your getting into. Once we were in school and started talking to the seniors we realized the program wasn't what it seemed. It seems to me the education aspect is much more important than the amount of money. And just think, if you don't do your homework and check out the school, you'll owe all that money back for a substandard education.
The OP is looking at a different kind of school. They are looking at a private university, not a diploma or degree mill. Those places should not even exist. Nobody hires people from those places because 95% of then are not nationally accreditated.
OP, if you think you can handle the cost and want to go to Utah for a bit, I say go for it. It will take you a while to get in anywhere in CA. Are you looking to go back? If you are think of the unemployment rate for new grads in CA. I think it's over 40%. Many of those hospitals will be hiring from people at local colleges that made connections. You are going to lose any chance at making connections. If you want to stay in Utah for a bit after graduation and get some experience under your belt before heading back, that's going to be your best bet.
If you are young and have nothing tying you down right now and can afford the price, go for it. Otherwise, wait and see in CA.
The OP is looking at a different kind of school. They are looking at a private university, not a diploma or degree mill. Those places should not even exist. Nobody hires people from those places because 95% of then are not nationally accreditated.
OP, if you think you can handle the cost and want to go to Utah for a bit, I say go for it. It will take you a while to get in anywhere in CA. Are you looking to go back? If you are think of the unemployment rate for new grads in CA. I think it's over 40%. Many of those hospitals will be hiring from people at local colleges that made connections. You are going to lose any chance at making connections. If you want to stay in Utah for a bit after graduation and get some experience under your belt before heading back, that's going to be your best bet.
If you are young and have nothing tying you down right now and can afford the price, go for it. Otherwise, wait and see in CA.
Thank you Heathermaizey! Your advice helped a lot. I definitely feel in love with Utah, as I love being close to the mountains, and all the close hiking spots. Also, I am only 23, and I would graduate as a RN when I'm 25. I also would like to stay in Utah to get some experience, then move to California...so you pretty much read my mind! I definitely agree...as a new grad of 2014, it took me roughly 3-4 months to find a job with a biology degree.
It just comes down to the price, because of the high interest rates on my private loans; and just worrying and not having the guarantee that I will find a job immediately after I graduate. But there will ALWAYS be those uncertainties with everything...THANK YOU AGAIN!
So here's my 2 cents for what it's worth. I currently am enrolled in a private, for-profit school. The cost is somewhat lower than yours but not much. My best suggestion would be to forget about the money for the moment and look into the education part of the college. Check with the state BON in Utah and see if there are any complaints or actions by the board against the school. The school I attend was actually on probation from the BON, a fact they declined to reveal until we were 6 months in (and before everyone starts yelling, Yes I should have been a better consumer! I know this). Also, see if you can find students who have already graduated from this program and talk to them to see what your getting into. Once we were in school and started talking to the seniors we realized the program wasn't what it seemed. It seems to me the education aspect is much more important than the amount of money. And just think, if you don't do your homework and check out the school, you'll owe all that money back for a substandard education.
I definitely did my research on Roseman, and they have an awesome staff. I already speak to my advisor on a weekly basis, and the financial aid director and student services are always quick to reply to any of my questions. It is also nationally accredited, and hospitals in Utah are quick to hire the graduates as we do over 1000 clinical hours. I think I will definitely take your advice and try to speak/email with recent graduates, as I think that it will soothe some of my worries! Thank you for your response, always appreciated!
mroun91
18 Posts
Thank you for your advice centercourt2015! Much appreciated!