Barry CRNA Starting 2018

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Hello all! I just thought I would start a thread for those of us applying. I have started my application and I am working on my personal statement now. How are you all doing?

I have taken the GRE and passed my CCRN. I still need to get my PALS. I also need to ask for my letters of recommendation and send in my school transcripts & GRE scores. I'm going to try to apply for the Tampa campus.

So I applied to the program waiting to see if I'll get called for an interview and get accepted. My GPA is good (Barry alumni), my test scores were okay, my experience is good too. My only concern is financial issues. I am debating if I do get accepted for 2018 should I start the program or should I continue doing travel nursing (currently in California) for another year to save up more money? I don't really have any bills my only burden is my car note which if worse comes to worse my family will help. Which I really don't want to have to rely on. But I have heard grad students say they wish they saved up more money because they ended up screwing their selves over in the long run. What do you guys think?

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Congrats to everyone btw!

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I am also thinking about the financial aspect and I am really debating on just reapplying for January 2019 and taking another year to save.

So I applied to the program waiting to see if I'll get called for an interview and get accepted. My GPA is good (Barry alumni), my test scores were okay, my experience is good too. My only concern is financial issues. I am debating if I do get accepted for 2018 should I start the program or should I continue doing travel nursing (currently in California) for another year to save up more money? I don't really have any bills my only burden is my car note which if worse comes to worse my family will help. Which I really don't want to have to rely on. But I have heard grad students say they wish they saved up more money because they ended up screwing their selves over in the long run. What do you guys think?
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Atleast I know I am not the only one. It really is a tough decision

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As far as the financial stuff is concerned, the longer you put off going to school, the fewer years you will be making 150k+ salaries. It doesn't really make a ton of sense to keep "saving" while making what, like 70K a year as a nurse to put off graduating sooner to make double that. I am in the program now, and I have the military paying for a vast majority of my school. I know that a lot of people don't have that option, and just about everyone is relying on loans. The best thing you can do is decrease your debt now (get rid of anything you don't "need", pay off as many loans as you can, have a yard sale, etc), and try to mitigate as many costs as possible (find a cheap place to rent, stop eating out, get on a strict budget, find cheap books for school, etc). Borrow the least amount you need, and pay it off ASAP after you graduate. Save the fancy cars, big trips, and nice house for after you pay off your loans. That's just my opinion, don't put off going to school while making RN wages when you could double your income by getting in to school now, and avoid the interest on your loans by paying them off crazy fast and living meagerly even after you graduate.

Good luck!

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As far as the financial stuff is concerned, the longer you put off going to school, the fewer years you will be making 150k+ salaries. It doesn't really make a ton of sense to keep "saving" while making what, like 70K a year as a nurse to put off graduating sooner to make double that. I am in the program now, and I have the military paying for a vast majority of my school. I know that a lot of people don't have that option, and just about everyone is relying on loans. The best thing you can do is decrease your debt now (get rid of anything you don't "need", pay off as many loans as you can, have a yard sale, etc), and try to mitigate as many costs as possible (find a cheap place to rent, stop eating out, get on a strict budget, find cheap books for school, etc). Borrow the least amount you need, and pay it off ASAP after you graduate. Save the fancy cars, big trips, and nice house for after you pay off your loans. That's just my opinion, don't put off going to school while making RN wages when you could double your income by getting in to school now, and avoid the interest on your loans by paying them off crazy fast and living meagerly even after you graduate.

Good luck!

Ditto to this...I'm going to have well over 100k in debt. You're going to find people from all walks of life. Some in major debt and some that still live with their parents. Regardless of your background and financial situation, you're only doing yourself a disservice by waiting to start. You should be able to get plenty of money from student loans. Also remember the first year is the most expensive. By 4th semester you're down 7hr, 4hr, 3hr, 3hrs per semester. By that point cost of living, especially in Florida, will out weigh the tuition.

I'm sure you've done your research, but in Florida you're going to start at 130-140ish. Midwest 150-160s. West coast and east coast obviously more, but also a significant increase in cost of living. You will approach and/or exceed 200k at some point depending on how hard you work.

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Also, there are many creative ways to have your student debt paid down after you graduate. There are many employers that offer some amount of student debt payment as an incentive (i've heard as much as 40-60K with a commitment). There is also that 10 year waiver thing, if you work for a qualifying employer that will allow your debt to be forgiven after 120 months of payments (10 years). Like I said, live meagerly, and start now.

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UTAHICURN, Yeah, I hear you. My main concern is really just my car note. Other than that I'd be fine. Thank you, I really appreciate your feedback

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THROWAWAY15 Yeah, I know. My main concern is really just my car note. Other than that I'd be fine. Thanks so much, I really appreciate your feedback

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I'm also 24 and have been a nurse for 2 years straight into icu. Being that I'm still young I'm not sure if I should rush to school, get more experience, or if any of this will make a difference as to what I should do

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Although my ICU experience was great to get my feet wet and to get some experience with vents, meds etc...nothing can greatly prepare you for CRNA school. It's an entirely different animal. I would say that there is a fine line between getting ICU experience and being too far out from the last time you attended school. Two years should more than suffice for experience to get you through CRNA school. I would say that the "older" folk who have been out of school the longest (and have a lot of ICU experience) may struggle the most through school cuz it has been so long since they last studied, etc...

But, it is a very personal decision, and you have to do what is right for you. Just sharing some wisdom from my own experience in this program!

To each his (or her) own!

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Although my ICU experience was great to get my feet wet and to get some experience with vents, meds etc...nothing can greatly prepare you for CRNA school. It's an entirely different animal. I would say that there is a fine line between getting ICU experience and being too far out from the last time you attended school. Two years should more than suffice for experience to get you through CRNA school. I would say that the "older" folk who have been out of school the longest (and have a lot of ICU experience) may struggle the most through school cuz it has been so long since they last studied, etc...

But, it is a very personal decision, and you have to do what is right for you. Just sharing some wisdom from my own experience in this program!

To each his (or her) own!

Ugh I know. Thank you so much for your feedback. It's greatly appreciated!

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