Feeling Lost: Prestigious Nursing School Debt

[seekinghappy]

Hi all,

Not sure if I should have posted this in the pre-nursing student thread, but was hoping to get the thoughts of current students and working nurses.

I have been accepted to my dream nursing school's accelerated BSN program. A prestigious program (one of the top), but I'm not even drawn entirely to it because of that. I felt like I belonged on the campus and that the school would be investing in me as a future leader in nursing, nurturing and developing my skills. I would also have incredible research opportunities with great faculty. Every student and alum of this program I have spoken to has nothing bad to say about it--except the price tag. If I go, I will have to take out $100-115K in loans (federal and private). I am not eligible for any grants because it is a second degree for me. I know that a starting salary for a new nurse is not that great, especially in the area I plan to live in for 2 years after graduation (it's about $45-50K here, although I plan to move to NYC after that where pay is better). I have so many dreams and goals within nursing. I love research, as well as diagnosing and educating patients, and therefore would like the opportunities to work as an RN, learn more about what I love within nursing, and potentially further my education as an NP or PhD/nurse educator. Because of all that, does it matter where I end up going to school for my BSN? Will my BSN affect where I can get my MSN? This is the only school I applied to, so if I reject the admissions offer and apply to a cheaper school (yet still not that cheap--maybe 3/4 to half the price) that 1. is not ranked as highly; 2. is 12 months vs. 16; 3. is not enjoyed by its students (a past student I spoke to told me to go to the prestigious university b/c she feels like the program was too short/she didn't learn enough and feels unprepared); and 4. hasn't given me any warm feelings about the program/seems very disorganized and clueless when I attended an info session, I am still not guaranteed an "in" and could end up with nothing and have to apply to more programs!

I guess I am just feeling lost because I am SO fearful of not being able to repay my debts for this school on a nurse's salary. Yes, I have the goal of becoming an NP now, but what if I love being an RN and decide to continue down that path? Would I even be able to afford NP school? (I would also want to attend a prestigious program for that.) I also have the dream of being a mother and hope to have children within the next 5 years--however, that may be irresponsible with all the debt my husband and I combined will have (he will have $400-500K of med school debt but be working in a much more lucrative career). An option I have still is to take a few more prerequisites and apply to PA school, which would be the same cost of the BSN program but I won't have to pay for my master's later and will be making a higher entry-level salary. I have never identified with the PA profession as much as I do with nursing though (even if I do want to be an NP).

I feel so fortunate to have these options that could potentially lead to a wonderful lifelong career of many opportunities; but I hate that I feel so lost, unsure and scared about it due to finances.

Has anyone else here gotten their BSN at an expensive, prestigious university and have you been able to make your monthly student loan payments as an RN? Would you go to a different school now looking back to avoid all the debt?

Thank you if you got through this incredibly long message!

[CrunchRN, ADN, RN]

I t doesn't matter where you get your degree from. That is basically a house payment of debt you will have around your neck for 20+ years and it will prevent you from being able to afford a home for a long long time.

It is not worth it. As long as you have a degree a nurse is a nurse is a nurse. Maybe later for a graduate degree it might have a little more importance.

Don't do it!

[Emergent, RN]

You are right to be afraid of this debt. Follow your gut, it's telling you that this is a big financial mistake.

Get some of Dave Ramsey's books.

You talk about leadership. That starts with wisdom. Make the wise choice here. A prestigious nursing school is not necessary! It's a status symbol you do not need!

[seekinghappy]

Thanks, CrunchRN. I think I know in my heart it's NUTS. I am driven and hope I will be able to network enough to land the opportunities I am seeking out of my career.

[seekinghappy]

You are right, too, Emergent! I know the name doesn't matter. I am just fearful I won't get the research opportunities without going, which could lead to more open doors down the line in my career.

[KatieMI, BSN, MSN, RN]

It doesn't matter that much where you got your BSN. Besides this, leadership and incredible research opportunities matter even less for BSN, as you are going to start as the lowest person on the totem pole and stay there for a while.

If you really want to become a nursing leader/scholar, get your BSN as quickly and cheaply as possible, whether it will be enjoyable or not, then move to prestigious program with research and bells and whistles for your MSN.

[seekinghappy]

Thank you Katie :) This reassurance is so needed for me--that I will be able to get to the place I aspire to be without the crippling debt stopping me.

[2k15NurseExtern4u, BSN, RN]

Paying 100k for a nursing degree is STUPID ON STERIODS!! *Dave Ramsey voice*. It may be your dreeeeeaaammmm to go to this school, but you would be the dullest knife in the drawer to take that much money out just so you can say "________ pride" (insert school mascot name) DON'T DO IT! RECONSIDER! A BSN degree from this prestigious school is worth JUST AS MUCH as a BSN degree from a much cheaper accredited university or state school. And you'll save about 70k in the process.

Good luck to ya!

[KatieMI, BSN, MSN, RN]

Seekinghappy,

I did my BSN in a place as ordinary as plain water, straightforward and dull as it could be. Nothing to "enjoy" for me or my much younger classmates. But it had NCLEX pass rate of about 100% for years, and my GPA was very high, and since there was an NP program, albeit not a very good one, I was able to do grad courses as electives. So I applied and got admitted right away in high-ranking MSN/FNP program with plenty of research opportunities and so forth.

As long as your GPA is high, your school is nationally accredited and is not known for being diploma mill, you will be ok. You can do the whole thing from zero to NP for less than half of what you are going to spend.

[Horseshoe, BSN, RN]

You're not the first person to use the "dream school" description. For certain professions, that might be an appropriate way to look at it. However, if the dream school comes with a price tag you can only manage with crippling debt, finances a degree which comes with a low ROI in terms of salary, and the same goal can be achieved by any number of other solid but cheaper options, then it's a fool's vision. There are certainly some awful nursing schools, but there are many good schools which do not cost a fortune.

I'm glad you are considering the advice you are getting. If you had the money and could easily part with it, I'd say sure, go for that experience, but in your circumstances, I'd vote with the majority here.

[oldandintheway]

Seekinghappy,

As long as your GPA is high, your school is nationally accredited and is not known for being diploma mill, you will be ok. You can do the whole thing from zero to NP for less than half of what you are going to spend.

I think you may have meant Regionally Accredited.

Nursing is an interesting case, it aspires to be fully accepted as a profession but because of its relatively low barrier for entry it does not embrace academic achievement, and consequently value the prestige of universities. One of the benefits of attending a "prestigious" school is the networking opportunities with alumni and classmates, nurses are generally considered staff and "hired hands" as opposed to potential industry leaders so this benefit of prestige diplomas is pretty much negated. How many alumni associations come to mind for community colleges or for profit schools, that compete to recruit and provide scholarships for promising young persons or legacy students.

Ultimately it's your decision about what is important to you, but from a purely financial and career stand point it may not be cost effective to invest in a prestige degree. I believe if nursing does take its place amongst the traditional professions it will still be generations before it is fully accomplished, especially if it becomes inundated and diluted with the many postgraduate programs that appear to pop up so frequently. So anyone entering nursing now will be retired before nursing ever becomes fully accepted as a profession.

But all that goes out the window if you plan on making a career at any of the large faith based organizations, if that is the case definitely enroll in one of their prestige schools and network like crazy; that will enhance your prospects immensely.

[CrunchRN, ADN, RN]

Seekinghappy,

I have an ADN from a community college (22 years ago) and I have worked in research at a university for the last 11 years. I amcertified in this specialty now also. It did not hinder me at all. You just have to go after it and sell yourself. I would say to get your BSN, but go wherever is cheapest and accreditated.