This is long -- so sorry... I'm venting (/crying) and I'm so afraid of what people might say, if there is any response at all. This is a really personal and important subject to me so be kind please.
I'm graduating this month from college (private) with a large amount of debt. I was initially going to become a teacher, so I'd go on and get my MS in Teaching and be even more in debt, and play it off forever. I'm going to work for a career, so I'm ok with having some loans, as long as I can make the payments.
Anywho, about a year ago I decided that I would be unhappy as a teacher, and what I really wanted was to become a nurse. I know I want to be a nurse. I know that this is the right choice for me, I am positive that this is what I want to do with my life. It was too late to switch my major, and I just figured I'd graduate and apply for an ABSN (after I get my pre-recs done at the local Community College - I'm working on them already).
So, I'm from Downstate NY (right outside the city) and I've been looking at programs, and they are priced astronomically! CUNY Hunter is affordable, but insanely competitive. The rest are 50,000+ (NYU - a dream of mine - is 70,000). I'm kind of freaking out about how much this is going to end up costing me.
I will be applying for financial aid (inside and outside the programs, like for example, Tylenol has a scholarship), but there are no guarantees in life. I'm a serious planner and budgeter, and I've made calculations and spreadsheets with what I'll have to pay back, the timelines, how much it costs to live in NYC when I graduate nursing school (all the insane extras included).
I can't just become a CNA or get an associates, because the hospitals in NYC and the burbs are not really looking to hire new grads without a BSN (from what I've read.. and in this competitive market, I don't know if it's worth taking the chance that they will).
I get it, I know everyone's going to tell me I'm insane for having so much debt and to not persue this degree. Please don't reply with stories about how you graduated with this little amount (because it will only make me further regret my first degree... who lets an 18 year old decide what they want to do with the rest of their lives, anyway?), or I should wait and things like that.. I can't wait. I'm going to need a job! I'm already in the hole, and I can defer my loans when I'm in school..
I need some support! I think I just need to hear someone say I can do this and I'm not an idiot. I find that people here can be overwhelmingly kind or brutal... I just feel like I'm in expensive limbo
I do not think you are crazy. Are you set on going to school in NY? Is it possible to consider some other areas? I just graduated from an accelerated program, that required a prior Bachelor's degree and prek-reqs. It took 18 months and was affordable. (btw I still had student loans from graduating 9 years prior) Maybe you could look around the area and see if there are any accelerated programs available that is not too far away. The other thing is that interest rates on student loans is pretty low and after you graduate from nursing school and are working there are some federal programs to help with student loans, but it requires working in certain areas. There are options, so don't freak out yet, but do continue to fulfill your dreas. YOU CAN DO IT!
It is so good to hear all these POVs. I'm really happy to see what people have to say about following my dream and looking at other programs and locations. Thank you all so so so so much. Seriously. This is such a great community, I love it here.
JStylesNY - Funny you mention the Navy! I come from a big Army family, my brother's trying to convince me to get by BSN and walk right into a recruitment center. He says that they can pay off my existing loans (like up to 120,000 of it over the course of 4 years) and I'll get paid as any other officer on top of that - did I mention 30 days paid vacation? I can do an ROTC program or just walk in when I am done (which is what he recommends, because apparently someone with two Bachelor's Degrees and one of them being in Nursing would warrant some special treatment - like picking schools and locations, etc).
I know our Armed Forces are hurting for nurses. I just am not completely sure I could handle the Army or Navy... or more specifically, their PT tests, being so far away from my family, deployment (even though apparently, nurses only go for 6 months). I am really keen on the idea of working in NYC, but the military is not too far from my mind.
A lot of people, though, do lose sight of the fact that the purpose of the military is NOT for providing us with education, it is to have readily available military personnel in times of war. And, we are at war on more than one front, to boot. If that is kept in mind, and the desire is to serve one's country, that is awesome. If for any another reason, in my opinion, not so much.
If you really want to be a nurse, do it! Look at creative financial options, scholarship, etc to supplement loans. I agree you can get a BSN as quick as an Associate degree, Does not need to be accelerated though. What about online classes. Avoid expensive places like Univ of Phoenix, and look at other places. I started Grand Canyon did not like it and will be going to Drexel this fall (90% sure) You could work at least part time, less money means better loans. Does not matter where you live.
The debt will get paid down or off eventually, certain jobs will pay your loans, check them out.. might be worth eventually moving, or find something in NY.
So, I'm from Downstate NY (right outside the city) and I've been looking at programs, and they are priced astronomically! CUNY Hunter is affordable, but insanely competitive. The rest are 50,000+ (NYU - a dream of mine - is 70,000). I'm kind of freaking out about how much this is going to end up costing me.
I will be applying for financial aid (inside and outside the programs, like for example, Tylenol has a scholarship), but there are no guarantees in life. I'm a serious planner and budgeter, and I've made calculations and spreadsheets with what I'll have to pay back, the timelines, how much it costs to live in NYC when I graduate nursing school (all the insane extras included).
I can't just become a CNA or get an associates, because the hospitals in NYC and the burbs are not really looking to hire new grads without a BSN (from what I've read.. and in this competitive market, I don't know if it's worth taking the chance that they will).
I give you HUGE Kudos for speaking so honesty about this, and I can RELATE! Literally 6months after graduating with a Bachelor's in Public Relations I KNEW I had made a mistake and wanted to be a nurse (it took me 10 years to finally go for it...but I am doing it now!)
For myself, I am currently attending Harrisburg Area Community College (PA) for an associates in Nursing, and plan to get my Associates to BSN through Penn State University or Temple. For my situation, however, this is ideal because I cannot relocate due to family.
You, however, sound young and fairly free of tethers...if you can find an accelerated BA to BSN program, I say pack up and go for it.
I know it isn't ideal, but you could work as a substitute teacher, that would afford you the opportunity to work your own schedule.
If my advice isn't helpful please take this piece as advice: DO IT NOW! DO IT NOW!
I wish I had jumped right into my program, instead I waited, because I did not think I could afford it. Now with two children, a husband and a house, going through a Nursing program is exhausting! So GO FOR IT!! :)
Specializes in Med/surg, ER/ED,rehab ,nursing home.
If possible I would attempt to make sure that I have disability insurance to help with paying back any loans. You never know what can happen to you in life. Also, some places will "loan" you some money to help pay for classes. In my case, I was able to get a "loan" that was paid back by working for my company a set number of months. Basically I was sure of a job, because of the loan. If they did not hire me as a RN, then the loan was forgiven, and I would be free to apply to work somewhere else. Interesting that you want to be a nurse, not a teacher. I would love to be able to teach nursing. As a nurse you will find that you are still a teacher. Good luck.
Specializes in LTC, CPR instructor, First aid instructor..
My oldest daughter has an MS in quantitative genetics, and is unable to find work in our area. She is around $100,000 dollars in debt from her loans and deferments. She was in school for 10 years. So I do see where you are coming from. Personally, as some others have suggested, it sounds wise to find some part time work as a substitute teacher for a while until you save up some money, and then go back to school. Since you are young, that is a great possibility. I went to nursing school as a second career when I was 54. So you do have some time.
My dad would repeat the same phrase over and over to me when I panicked about how much I would owe after school...Delayed Gratification. Sounds like you already understand that. He also reminded me that I would have a good solid job and be able to make those payments once I graduated. He was right. :-)
I don't know if anyone has suggested this yet or not but the National Health Service Corps offers a Nursing Scholarship that pays $50,000.00 for a two year commitment to work in an underserved community in your area. That money is paid to the student either while in school or after you are done with nursing school (as a loan reimbursement). Even better, you can re-enlist for another two years and get another $50,000.00 loan reimbursement, until all of your nursing school related loans are paid off! The loan reimbursement will ONLY cover your nursing degree. There are other stipulations like they don't allow certain program tracks like ADN to MSN, and other bridge programs etc so do your homework first. This federal program will even cover grad school if you decide to become an advanced practice nurse. It's a terrific way to go, which is why I plan to do it!
Another great idea is this... If you eventually decide to become a nursing professor then there are fabulous loan reimbursement programs for that too! Currently, up to 85% of loan forgiveness since there is a looming nurse faculty shortage that will only get worse in the years to come.
You honestly don't have anything to worry about! The nursing profession will bounce back with a vengence, like it always does. You will be so glad you took this leap of faith. Follow your :redbeathe and you will get there!
Like you, nursing was my 2nd career choice. First I got my bachelor's in Journalism from Michigan State University, a reasonably priced big 10 school that still left me with educational loans to pay off. TButhen when I decided that I didn't want to be a journalist ("Why do they let 18 year olds choose a career?" I couldn't have said it better myself), I had to go back and take ALL my pre-reqs for nursing school. After completing my pre-reqs, I went on to attend a private nursing school in Florida. I am now left with an ENORMOUS amount of debt to pay off.
I have found a job and have started to pay off my school loans, but thinking about the number still gives me a stomach ache. The good thing about nursing is that there are so many ways to move up in the field to make more money. Nurse Practitioner, Nurse Anesthetist or nursing administration are all good examples. You dont have get stuck making $50,000/year for the rest of your life and never pay off your loans. Personally I'm headed to Nurse Anesthetist school in a year or two.
I'm not going to tell you that you should DEFINITELY be a nurse and that its soooo worth the amount of debt you will accrue. But in this economy, it is somewhat recession proof. You are not alone. Higher education is expensive these days. If not nursing, research some PA programs, or if you're willing, take your MCATS and apply to medical school. Any way you look at it, you will be taking out more loans for school. But ask any person in their 40s/50s, extremely successful who's gone through a lot of schooling and they will probably say they are still paying off their loans.
Like I said, you are not alone!! I hope this helps. Good luck!!!
i graduated from an accelrated bsn program with crushing debt. i love what i do but am overwhelmed by the fact that i pay 40% of my take home income to student loans. if you can find a way to get some of your tuition paid by an employer that might also be a way to do it.
i work for a very well known hospital in baltimore that has tuition reembursment for empoyees who will contract to work there for 2 years after graduation. you could become a cna and work your way through nursing school. it is a very tough job (lots of bed baths and incontinent patients). it would give some great bedside experience though.
i went to the nursing school associated with this famous hospital and many of the students who were going there were getting their tuition covered because of a deal with the peace corps. they had worked for the peace corps for a year or two and got their very expensive tuition for free! some others got scholarships. i was kind of in a hurry to get on with my life and become a nurse and now i am paying big time every month. but even i have hope. i have applied for student loan repayment assistance from the federal government and am crossing my fingers that this works out for me.
call the financial aid departments at the schools you are interested in and ask them what tuition assistance programs they work with ie. peace corps, employer tuition reembursment...
Sheri.
mawatt
2 Posts
I do not think you are crazy. Are you set on going to school in NY? Is it possible to consider some other areas? I just graduated from an accelerated program, that required a prior Bachelor's degree and prek-reqs. It took 18 months and was affordable. (btw I still had student loans from graduating 9 years prior) Maybe you could look around the area and see if there are any accelerated programs available that is not too far away. The other thing is that interest rates on student loans is pretty low and after you graduate from nursing school and are working there are some federal programs to help with student loans, but it requires working in certain areas. There are options, so don't freak out yet, but do continue to fulfill your dreas. YOU CAN DO IT!