How much debt did you graduate with?

Nurses General Nursing

Published

I have a bachelor's in business & computer information systems from DeVry, and then I attempted one semester of law school but hated it. I had a baby at 19 (and 21) too, so I used some student loan money when I was broke at that point. My debt right now - $42k!!!!!!

So I have been working in business & computers for almost 6 years now, and I'm really not liking it. I went and got my CNA at a community college, and I think I would prefer being a nurse. At my community college, they only offer day classes. The cost would be about $2,000, but it would take 2 years, so I don't see how I could work for 2 years. That would be a loss of about $104,000 for me, because I make just over $50k now. My other alternative is an ABSN degree, but the cost of that is $35,000. That's a lot.....but still, then I would only lose one year of work, so in a way it saves me $50k.

My question........is all the debt worth it??? How much did you graduate with, and were you able to pay it off? I'm really miserable in computers/business and I have been staring at a screen for the last six years!

Sue

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

I completed a private LVN program in 2005, and graduated with $20,000 worth of private student loan debt. Since I am single with no children, I was able to work overtime and accept a second job to quickly pay this loan off in less than 2 years.

I will be starting a private RN program in 3 months. The tuition is a few dollars shy of $20,000.00, and I have qualified for $12,000 in government student loans. I intend to pay off the remaining $7,900 balance through an interest-free payment plan being offered by the school. After I complete this RN program, I intend to live frugally and pay the loan off in 2 or 3 years.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in medical.

My tuition for each semester was about 7000$, I have associate in nursing and paid my tuition in cash every semester. I worked part time during nursing school and had savings before school. I'm proud that I was living well below my means as it paid off later. Don't have to worry about any student loans.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

That is awesome. I wish I had zero student loan debt. I do have zero credit card debt, which I'm proud of. I wish the first career I picked would have been *the* one. I liked it for several years but now I am seeing mandatory 9 hour days for 5 days a week, mandatory overtime......I would like to spend some time with my sons! 3 12 hour shifts that are possible with nursing seem so perfect, I could see my sons 4 days a week.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I have an associates and have less then 2k in debt. I probably could of paid if off by now but I kinda got new furniture instead! :D

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Medical/Surgical, L&D, Postpartum.

Hi there! I graduated from an ADN program and at my completion I had about $4,000.00 in debt. I hope to pay it all off soon...this is credit card debt, I never had to take out any student loans.

It sounds like the ABSN program would be a good fit for you since you will be finished faster...but do know that it will VERY fast paced...I thought it was hard cramming nursing education in two years, I could only imagine one year!! Best of luck to you and your career endeavors!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I don't even want to say but is is A LOT!!! I have another bachelor's from a very expensive school and the nursing school I am in is not cheap either. I too wanted to go to law school but at this point unless I get a gazillion scholarships I can't afford it.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

None. I worked full-time, and paid my way as I went.

Zero credit card debt. I drive an old car, which I bought new but paid off years ago.

I do not like the feeling of being in debt, so except for my mortgage, I am debt free.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in cardiac, ortho, med surg, oncology.

I have zero school debt. I got federal and state grants, worked very part-time and was a scholarship whore i.e. I applied for absolutely every scholarship I was eligible for. By the time I finished school I had actually made money going to school and had managed to bank some cash from all those scholarships. Zero credit card debt. Live well below my means.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med Surg, Ortho.

Zero for me. I paid as I went. I went 4 years to a community college and it was $50 per semester hour. My classes usually totalled about $400 per semester, so I just paid as I went. I think all in all, the whole four years was less than $10,000. books included. Thank goodness for community colleges.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Zero for my associates. I went to a community college, took out 3K for my LPN year (didn't qualify for grants and scholarships, since I already had a 4year degree for which I had a full ride), worked a couple of years, paying that off in the process. Went to an associates LPN to RN program, paid cash--worked full time during school. I'm finishing up my BSN on a very part time, 1-2 classes a semester schedule, again paying cash and working full time during school.

I would be very wary of taking on a huge amount of debt, particularly in this economy. We almost have our house paid off, only owe a couple grand on one of our vehicles, have no credit card debt and have a savings account balance that would pay our bills for 3 months if neither of us were working. Honestly, one of us could lose our job and although it would be tighter, we could certainly get by.

Many of our friends and coworkers are sweating bullets, selling off extra cars, trying to sell their McMansions in order to downsize. We're still in our humble little abode, paying off our miniscule (in comparison) mortgage, thanking our lucky stars that we didn't give into the pressure to buy bigger (and therefore take on more debt) when the market was good.

Do you really want to come out of school in an unstable economy with MORE debt? Balance the pros and cons carefully. If money is an issue, choose wisely when making a decision about school--full time, part time, employment during school, private vs public, BSN vs ADN.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Thank goodness for community colleges.

:yeahthat:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment