Best ideas on how to prepare financially for nursing school

Nursing Students General Students

Published

Nursing school can be expensive. If you are not prepared financially you could get yourself in a lot of trouble.

Community colleges are the least expensive but may not offer the best programs or the best opportunities in nursing. You need to decide the pros and cons. What's best for you?

How did/do you manage to pay for nursing school? Were you prepared for the costs?

nursing-student-future-money.gif

If you have any tips or inside knowledge please share.

Click Like if you enjoyed it.

Please share this with friends and post your comments below!

Want more nursing cartoons?

Specializes in Ambulatory Surgery, Ophthalmology, Tele.
I worked two jobs (one part time and one full time) while taking all of my pre-requisites at a local community college. I paid off all my previous debt (credit cards, car loans) and put some money in a savings account. I start my BSN program next week and will be working part-time in order to pay my utilities and gas.

I thought about going the ADN route, but I can get my BSN in three years, which is only one year more than my ADN. I am going to a private school (tuition is $30,000 per year). I did get a sizable scholarship but had to take out loans. I will have about $25,000 in loans when I finish. My payment will be about $400 a month once I graduate, which is very manageable.

My husband and I have developed a very tight budget for the next three years. We know that it is going to be hard, but will be well worth it in the long run.

$30,000 a year? :eek:

When I looked at different schools, I started out looking at two colleges that were 22-24k a year, then I found out our state university was only about $7000-$9000 a year. BIG difference at the end of three years. I went with the BSN program at our local California State University and have no regrets.

Good job on getting the scholarship jenn. Congrats on acceptance of the nursing program. Good luck to you. It may seem like a long road now, but before you know it, you will be done. It seems like I just started school (I remember it like it was yesterday). I have now been an RN for almost 4 years. Time flies when you're having fun, or...if you are going through a nursing program. :)

$30,000 a year? :eek:

When I looked at different schools, I started out looking at two colleges that were 22-24k a year, then I found out our state university was only about $7000-$9000 a year. BIG difference at the end of three years. I went with the BSN program at our local California State University and have no regrets.

Yup, sad isn't it? When I was comparing schools, I found that my local state university charged $27,000 for tuition for their one year BSN program, but was in one of the most expensive areas of the country and would likely have required me to purchase a car to access their clinical sites. It also didn't have the best reputation. When I compared it to the $40,000 for tuition for a one year BSN program at a well regarded private institution, I found the private school to be a better deal. The cost of living was lower at private school, the area in which the school was located was much, much safer, and I wouldn't have to purchase a car, pay for insurance or gas, etc. The $13k difference in tuition seemed significant at first, but when I factored in everything else, the seemingly cheaper state university really wasn't cheaper after all. Even though I paid a substantial amount of tuition money, I am very happy with my school choice, even if it required me to move.

Also, sadly, many cheaper state schools have long, long, long waiting lists.

Hello all,I too am looking to find a way to lessen the burden by finding a job. Can anyone give me advice on finding a job at a hospital while doing pre Reqs? I have no experience in anything medical and begin school October first. Thanks!

Specializes in Geriatrics, retirement, home care..

I worked 30-40hrs/week at a coffee shop throughout college because I had rent/bills to pay. I graduated with a $13,000 student loan debt (OSAP) 3 years ago... Working on paying it off!If I could go back, I would have taken a year or two off after high school to save for my education.

Specializes in geriatrics.

I find the cost of American education astounding! I'm Canadian, and the cost of a 4 year BSN (excluding living costs) is roughly 10-12,000 per year. How in the world do they expect people to pay 30,000+ a year??? That's insane. @ Suzie Q: if you are willing to do rural nursing out West, your OSAP debt could be paid in 2-3 years.

Specializes in Med Surg, PCU, Travel.
I find the cost of American education astounding! I'm Canadian, and the cost of a 4 year BSN (excluding living costs) is roughly 10-12,000 per year. How in the world do they expect people to pay 30,000+ a year??? That's insane. @ Suzie Q: if you are willing to do rural nursing out West, your OSAP debt could be paid in 2-3 years.

Yep talk about insane, in some countries citizens can actually get paid training or a stipend during nursing school , also EMT's, but here its all about money and prestige.

I'm actually considering joining the Navy as a nurse. They would help pay for school (about $30K) through monthly stipends and then you would have to go work for them for 4-5 years. The way I see it is, you have a guaranteed job once you graduate, and Navy experience would look great on any resume (I would hope). The downside, 6 months on a boat and they send you to far away lands. Family can come with you but still.

I'm applying to several schools, one of them is a 2yr degree vs. 4yr, and in the end. It's an 18-month program, about $8,000. Then you need to pass the NCLEX before you do the RN to BSN, so you end up not having a BSN until like a year later, which is alright but a lot of jobs are looking for people with BSNs, even the Navy.

All this and it's assuming you make it through the program. They say that out of 100 students who make it into this program, 25 actually finish it. I'm also applying to private schools because from what I have heard, they care more about their students than the public school systems. They want you to learn and pass (prob. because they get more money out of you lol), whereas the public schools are "happy to fail you" as so many have sadly put it for me.

I wouldn't rule out community colleges! For instance, I hear all the time in my state (RI) that our community college has the "best" nursing program. (This is what doctors and nurses have stated to me repeatedly over the years, and also that they normally choose students from my school first). In my personal experience- when I had my 2nd child, I allowed student nurses to come in with their instructor. The ones from the the state college were nervous, timid and very cerebral, checking their books and with their instructor frequently. The ones from the cc I could not tell apart from the actual nurses, they were so hands on and confident. It was a huge difference and was one of the deciding factors as to why I chose the community college over regular.

I'm not sure about other states, but it'd be a good thing to check on your own- RI is offering 0% interest loans now, only for those in the medical field though, ie NURSES!

If you're a single mother, displaced homemaker, under a certain income bracket, etc you may be eligible for help too. Check with all the resources you can within your state. And you can always appeal your financial aid if you are denied, like I was. The new SAP rules I know are a nightmare for a lot of people. Supposedly if I do a full semester and pull really good grades, I can qualify for the aid.

Also, check into some of the hospitals around you. Some of them will pay your tuition back or a percentage of it. I believe you HAVE to sign a contract though, stating you will work there for x amount of years. Even if it's 1/4 of your tuition, it's still a HUGE HELP.

I hope that this helps some of you and that your area has some of these perks!

What are some good schools in nyc to study nursing?

I worked in an ER for 8 years before I decided I wanted to be a nurse. So at the tender age of 30-something, I found a local community college and signed up for classes.

Now, I work full time (graves) and go to school during the day. I have all but 3 classes need for my pre-req's done. I'll take these last 2 one at a time and then apply for the ADN program while taking my last pre-req (microbiology). Once in the program it will be scholarships and grants along with our own $$ paving the way. We have it planned so that I'll go to school full time while in the program and we will (and can) live off of my DH income. After I'm out of school we'll take a couple years to pay off any debt we have, build up savings, and then if he wants to go back to school we'll do it all over again. Only inverted. :)

+ Add a Comment