I've already been accepted to a few schools and have an interview at another for 2017 start, but the prices are really making me rethink things. All of my local CC's are insanely competitive and packed, even for someone with a college degree--I was rejected to two of them.
My biggest issue lies with my debt. I have 65k in debt already and am looking at schools that would add another 40-60k on top of that. Now that's a ton of debt, but my plan was to go through the nurse corps loan repayment program and work in a rural area for 3-4 years to pay off nursing school loans while working to pay off the rest of my 65k in undergrad loans in the same time period. Is this a viable plan, or do these "programs" really not amount to much?
Honestly, i feel as though waiting another year or two to try to get into CC just because of the price will be a waste of time. I'll eventually need my BSN if I want to be a nurse practitioner. I could just say "screw it" with the nursing career to save a mountain of debt and work some dead end business job and start paying off my loans from undergrad, but i'd be putting off what i've put in so much work to do.
I'm sure it's not what you want to hear, but I think waiting for a CC is your best option. I'm not familiar with the Nurse Corps loan repayment, but I'm assuming you have to apply and that isn't even guaranteed. I'm 31 and I'm in my second semester of nursing school. It sucks so bad that I'm not a nurse yet and I sometimes feel like a loser because I'm that old and still not even done with my ADN, but I took a slower route to avoid debt. My school is $10k, but I have received some grants, scholarships and so far have only accumulated $700 debt. When I'm feeling down and think about my age and where I'm at in life, I find happiness in knowing I will graduate with such little debt. Hopefully I'll get a decent job after graduating and continue for my RN-BSN which I have seen for around $12k.
Although it sounds like your mind has been made up, please consider all of your options before burying yourself into more debt and putting all of your eggs in the Nurse Corps basket.
Are you willing to relocate for cheaper programs or employers who will help you out?
Our stories are similar. I'm in 50k of student loan debt from undergrad, and in now in a cheap ADN program that is mostly being paid for through a grant for low-income students who are pursuing allied health professions. My employer also offers tuition reimbursement (up to 3k/yr) for part-time and full-time employees. They also offer scholarships for RNs who want to pursue their BSN (1-2k scholarships), MSN (same), or even DNP (up to $45k for four-year contract after graduation).
I don't plan on making the same financial mistake I did in undergrad.
Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.
Nurse corps is extremely competitive. More so than most community college programs. Only a select few are accepted and of those some lose out as they are unable to secure employment in the required area of need. Don't base your choice on a remote chance.
Absolutely willing to relocate and find an employer that would help me out! I am probably going to go the ADN route (so my mind is more or less made up on that front)
What program are you in, if you don't mind me asking? Or you can PM me. Thanks!
How lean are you willing to live? Whatever you do, you can make a much bigger dent in your loans if you cut out all the crap that we apparently seem to need in the U.S. and start making double or triple payments on your loans. If you already have a bachelor's, you can probably get a job right now and pay your 65k off in 2-3 years while working on pre-reqs. So what if you'll be a couple years older when you start. You'll be a couple years older anyways. It can be done if you're willing to let go of "luxuries." I've managed to save up two years' worth of salary to live off of when I get into a nursing program, and I did that in two years by putting half in savings every month and living extra lean. You can do the same with loan payments. That's just how numbers work
someone mentioned a state university which is another option to get a bsn. have you done your research on all the state schools in your area? depending on state, state university schools may be competitive too.
if you were to do an adn or asn program you can always do an rn to bsn bridge program afterwards online. and online depending on how quick you finish the program you will be saving $
my god. Im struggling with like 20k in debt from credit cards lol. I thought i had it bad. Other than the nursing core have you look into the military as well? I'm doing college with my post 9/11 which pays fro everything and you get a monthly check for living expenses. Only served 4 years and don't regret it.
What do you mean take classes toward my BSN? Aren't all those courses ones you'd have to take once you get in the program? I've already taken all BSN prereqs.
Plan as of now is to live and work as a CNA as a hospital near FRCC and see if the hospital will finance my ADN. It's a shot in the dark but will save me tons of money going forward.
Sorry if I wasn't clear. I was accepted to a cc ADN program. While I was waiting to be accepted I worked towards my bachelor's. Upper division courses.
Right, I just didn't realize one could take upper division nursing courses if they werent in the program. At my home university, for example, you can't take patho unless you've been accepted into the BSN program. I guess it differs by location
nalie2, ADN, BSN, MSN, RN, NP
347 Posts
I'm sure it's not what you want to hear, but I think waiting for a CC is your best option. I'm not familiar with the Nurse Corps loan repayment, but I'm assuming you have to apply and that isn't even guaranteed. I'm 31 and I'm in my second semester of nursing school. It sucks so bad that I'm not a nurse yet and I sometimes feel like a loser because I'm that old and still not even done with my ADN, but I took a slower route to avoid debt. My school is $10k, but I have received some grants, scholarships and so far have only accumulated $700 debt. When I'm feeling down and think about my age and where I'm at in life, I find happiness in knowing I will graduate with such little debt. Hopefully I'll get a decent job after graduating and continue for my RN-BSN which I have seen for around $12k.
Although it sounds like your mind has been made up, please consider all of your options before burying yourself into more debt and putting all of your eggs in the Nurse Corps basket.