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 say do it! Pursue what you want in life and who cares about how much debt you will be in?! when we get old we won't say yay i managed to live debt free but we're going to say thank gd i decided to stick to what i wanted to do! I think you should further look into hunter college. I don't know a lot about their accelerated program but it is very competitive. If you want it bad enough you will definitely get in!
Please always remember, you are not an idiot for getting the education that can carry you through life. It is best to be working towards a job that you really feel is where you should be. As many have said here, there are ways to pay back student loans that will still allow you to live a decent life. I am a nursing instructor at this time and see many students come through with large loans. But they are just happy to be getting a job they can live with. There are several options, which may have already been mentioned. On is the military, which will generally accept you if you have a BSN and will often help pay for part or all of your loan. Also, if you work for the public health service or indian health services, a portion of your loan will be removed for each year of service you provide. Good luck in your endeavors. We need good nurses who are dedicated to what they do. My daughter is currently in a practical nurse program in New York state, and they are expensive. Hang in there.
I know where you're coming from, I did the same thing only I ended up getting my bachelor's in psychology and now I'm in big time debt and will only be accruing more when I start an ABSN program. I'm from Michigan and plan on moving to Texas to do a program there, granted my boyfriend will be working and supporting me while I do my program but if I didn't have him, I also have family around the state who offered to let me stay with them during the program. So maybe if you have relatives or friends in other states that would offer you some free rent while you do your program, you should consider looking into programs outside of NY. I haven't seen any programs in Michigan or Texas that are more than $30,000 for an ABSN unless maybe you were to go somewhere private.
I guess the main thing is, I've been in your shoes (I'm finishing up my prereqs), and there are always options, even if they are not the most ideal. I'm going to be 24 years old and I'm still not done with school and all of my friends have begun their careers, it definitely gets me down sometimes but in the end, it will all be worth it :) GOOD LUCK!
As a 40 year old mother of 2, I graduate with Associates Degree. I already have a Bachelor of Science. I would recommend the BS condensed program that gives you credit for classes from your other degree. I was accepted into that program too, but I chose the faster option.
As far as the debt goes, I figure that I have 30 more years to work before retiring at age 70. You have about 50 years to work. It will all get paid off. And, at a faster rate than it would if you were working as a teacher. (I am married to a teacher) : )
When you love what you do, there is no dread in going to work. In Nursing there are tons of options for you to explore in the next "50" years. Teaching puts you in a classroom, and once your tenured, you really can't go anywhere else. Unless you take a major paycut.
Good Luck on your journey. I will pray for Gods guidance for you.
So I was just thinking about school and loans, and I remembered that for public service jobs, there is a debt forgiveness plan. I don't know if you've heard about it, unfortunately for me it doesn't include the private loans, which is what half of mine are, but maybe all of your loans are the kind that qualify. Here is the link, it is really helpful, telling you exactly how it all works! Maybe this will ease your mind a little.:)
It is good to see you considering the military. You might want to look into the Air Force also. I retired after over 20 years in the Air Force (OB nurse) and now work as a nursing instructor full time and receiving a good retirement check. They will also help to pay for your education in many cases. Also, there are more nurses in the Air Force than there are in both the Army and Navy combined, and the Air Force nurses do not deploy as often. And the overseas travel can be exciting (I did two tours in Japan and loved it). Whatever your decision, your choice of nursing is a great one, so hang in there. We are definitely thinking of you and praying for you. Good luck.
Wow, NYC schools are crazy!! I'm in Houston in the Medical Center and Nursing school is nowhere near $70,000! For sure look into the state schools. Also, and maybe someone has mentioned, but have you thought about looking for a job at a hospital? A lot of places will pay for all if not some of your nursing school. That's what i'm doing. I work at MD Anderson (state hospital) and they pay for about 5,500 of books and tuition (which comes out to be 1 semester and a little for the next). only thing is I have to work for them as a nurse 1 full year for every semester they pay. Doesn't bother me much bec that means i have a job when i'm done!! Working and nursing school is very hard to do though so don't just jump to that solution. You def cannot work fulltime and be a nursing student full time. I've heard of that being done by others but they were in ADN or LVN programs. It would take a ton of dedication and lots of coffee but if you have the motivation then it can be done!!
I was working full-time when my job relocated 1 1/2 hours away. I decided it was time to go to nursing school. I quit my job and started working part-time at the hospital while going to school full-time. I was able to pick up extra hours at the hospital whenever I can and during break. Since I was working, I was able to pay the tuition before the semester started. I went to a 3 year full-time diploma school and got my Associate's degree. During the last year, I only took out a $5,000.00 personal loan. After graduation, I started working full-time so the only debt I had was what was left of the loan which, working full-time, I was able to pay off. One year after nursing school, I am now debt free and now I can continue on with my Bachelor's Degree while making a full-time salary. The pressure is off because I have my license already and I am working and debt free. Should something happen in the near future that delays me from getting the Bachelor's, at least I have my license already. P.S. I am enjoying my job as a nurse. It is alot of work but I like my patients and caring for them.
I believe you are so filled with anxiety that you cannot think straight. Sounds like you just need opinions and this is the best place to get a variety of different views.
First sounds like you have already looked into your prereqs for RN, and I'm sure you have completed some of those already. For the rest, I would heavily suggest attending a community college that Federal Funds will cover or at least this is a much cheaper way to complete RN. Once this is done and you are working (as many places take RN without BS) then find a state school where you only have to complete two years. But if you must stay in NYC (again some good community colleges there), Pick a cheaper 4 year beside NYU (Queens College, Hunter College etc). Otherwise there are many other wonderful colleges that you can complete those two years without owing and arm and leg.
I hope all of the many opinions you have received have given you much to think about and you can compile together what works for you.
Well this might be a long answer just like the question. I am now a new LVN, getting 19/hour. I took my pre req's at a community college for the LVN program there, finished in May of 2008.
I was put on a waiting list, I was 49 years old at the time. I didn't feel that I wanted to waist anytime on a waiting list. So I went to Kaplan College. I graduated in October of 2009. I am now as I mentioned an LVN. I am taking pre req's for RN.
A classmate of mine in community college in 2008, just got admitted to the LVN program that will take 18 months in community college. So she will not graduate until 2012, then take her NCLEX, probably in the middle of that year. Then if she passes, will then finally get her license a few weeks later and then look for work.
By that time I would have been making about 8 dollars an hour more than her,to start, as well as a lot of experience, the overtime that I get a lot of, would just put it so much more. I would now be on the waiting list for RN, she can't even be on the waiting list, because you have to be an LVN for at least 6 months before you qualify. Do the math, we all have bills to pay so pick your battles wisely, I am all for education.
I paid 24,000 for my school, I got about 3500, back in taxes because of it, so it dropped it to 21.5K. If you are talking about 65, to 100K, for RN. The only worry is will you pass your NCLEX, because the money will not be an issue. Good luck.
Have you looked at the NELRP (Nursing Loan Education Program)? Its a little know government program that will pay back up to 80% of your nursing student loans for working at an underserved hospital for 3 years. Its a lot of paper work but its worth it. http://www.hrsa.gov/loanscholarships/repayment/nursing/
Look I've been in your shoes. Nursing was my second degree and by the time I finished college my loan debt looked like that of a physcians. If you want to be a nurse though be a nurse. You will get the loans payed off. I've been paying off my loans for 5 years and I should be debt free by next year.
Here in South Florida, Miami Dade College has an accelerated program that is one year if you have another degree and your pre-requesites already done and the tuition is cheaper than say Barry University, University of Miami and Florida International University, we are talking about $70 per credit for residents....so come on down. That track is not as competitive as the others because well, is fast and intense. However, you will not be able to work if you want to be on the accelerated program and really have no outside life of nursing school, but sheesh, one year goes that fast. The part time track which is the one I am in, is the most competitive taking two and a half years. I forgot how old you are, but you got to do what is right for you and like Suze Orman says, education debt is the best to have, is your future. Get your Associates in RN and then work on the Bachelor's, Miami Dade offers that too. I believe there are forgiveness loans out there. Now if I could get grants or help for me, would be awesome. I work full time to support myself and pay tuition 100%, with low savings and because I am not a full time student and work do not qualify, but if you are not planning to work, I am sure you will able to get something. Good luck on your quest, have fun with the journey.
annag425
51 Posts
I say do it! Pursue what you want in life and who cares about how much debt you will be in?! when we get old we won't say yay i managed to live debt free but we're going to say thank gd i decided to stick to what i wanted to do! I think you should further look into hunter college. I don't know a lot about their accelerated program but it is very competitive. If you want it bad enough you will definitely get in!