Nursing Tuition off the Chain!! Need Help!!

elkpark · Jun 3, 2009

There is no doubt in there being some advantages but the question is in the grand scheme of things, are the advantages significant enough to be worth that price tag?

That is a very personal decision about which each individual has to make up his or her own mind.

natalieonaje · Jun 3, 2009

Google HRSA nursing scholarship. I used it my last year of nursing school. Pretty good deal. Have you considered maybe a local nursing school that isnt as pricey? that would make a big difference.

I agree. Go to http://bhpr.hrsa.gov/dsa/. I received a full tuition scholarship from HRSA which not only paid my tuition, they gave me a monthly stipend to live on and they paid for my books, fees, and school uniform. It is a highly competitive scholarship and they give 1st preference to people who have $0 ECF from their FASFA, but it's worth it to apply anyway. It took me 3 yrs until I finally was awarded it. You also have to agree to work in an underserved area for 2yrs for each year you received it, but it almost covers most areas in the country (other than private doctors offices, renal clinics)

They also offer a loan repayment program which works similarly to the nursing scholarship.

neongirl · Jun 3, 2009

Hi everyone: all this talk about education vs. price vs. degree vs. insitution vs.?? is sort of funny. we all have made a decision to go to school to be a nurse at one time or another right?? me just in the last few years, career change. Yes, "the school" was important - but so was my bank account and my future. I had an excellent career, i wanted something new and more of a challenge. NOT to be thousands of dollars in debt. I lived in Philly at the time, of course i looked at Drexel, i also looked at the price tag that went with and figured in things like my mortgage, parking, insurance, food. I loved Philly, wanted to stay in the area, and looked at some other schools around delco and there was no way I could justify the costs of staying there and getting another education. So, I applied to a state school - well know for their school of nursing - moved a few hours away, stretched a 2yr asn to three so i could continue to work full time. I got my degree for less than what many pay for a car, was offered a job a full semester BEFORE I graduated and I wasn't stressed about money or that someone isn't going to like my degree because of where I earned it.

personally this is what worked for me. I think more people should REALLY look at the financial aspect of education.. before just going in blind with the I'll pay for it later attitude ( I have one friend who is thousands in debt from private school that she quit, came back to state school for a while, had a baby,let her gpa drop has to sit out a full year, STILL has no degree just keeps taking classes as to not have to pay loans- can't do that forever) I think we are all obligated to live within our means and if that means includes going to a pricey school - then O.k if not - you can always get what you want - sometimes you just have to figure out other ways.

Oh and just for fun: 4 of my closest girlfriends are nurses - of different backgrounds, rehab, psych,medsurg, and or - they and all the people i have preceptored with tell me that school is just the basics - 2yr or 4yr either one.. the real education starts when you hit the workforce.

Oh and I loved my small school, 50 of us, no giant lecture halls, personal attention and first name basis with instructors... Great moderate to small size clinical sites- personal attention from nurses and doctors - and an excellent pass rate. I miss the pace of the city - but for learning, I'm happy i came to the country - lots of hands on - dr has you do stuff with him - not just watch him..

So, to you joi8815 - PA is a big state with lots of good schools.. Drexel is just one of them.. you mentioned you are young - take some gen ed's and keep looking.. you will figure it out and you will get what you want.. just don't put yourself so far in debt you never enjoy the money you work so hard to earn.

psychonaut · Jun 4, 2009

I know that wasn't the discussion but someone brought it up.

I will cop to the fact that I brought up the classic AN "thread-killer" (i.e. bsn/adn) in my previous post, although I was only using it as an analogy inspired by the thread OP's comments regarding the extras gained by a private school vs. public school BSN.

I think my general reply to the thread title would be..."it doesn't have to be 'off the chain'!"

I seem to share the bewilderment of other posters regarding the existence of $100k BSN degrees. Honestly, without reading AN, I wouldn't really know such things existed.

When I was looking into becoming an RN, there were three choices in my area: ADN at well-respected CC, established BSN at state U, and new BSN at state college. I took the state U as I was technically still enrolled there after completing my first degree, and because I could start a semester earlier than at the CC. Being pretty conservative with my $$, I felt a bit foolish for spending about double in tuition vs. the ADN for the same license. In a way, I still do (especially when I check my student loan balances)...maybe I'm projecting that feeling into this thread, I don't know.

As I was finishing my program, three new private school nursing programs were being created in my locale: two BSN programs and an ADN. The private school ADN tuition runs about 30k if I remember correctly (about double my BSN cost), and the two BSN programs run ~50-60K each. I thought all of those costs were madness, although I have since learned that those numbers can match state school tuition costs in other places.

For me (and apparently others as well), it does come down to the thorny "for just an RN" idea. It's a tough one to verbalize without being offensive, but generally boils down to "you are going to spend $100k to be a nurse?!?!?" I'm trying to step lightly around this, less for fear of bruising any feelings, and more out of my own aversion to telling anyone else how to spend their own money. There are many things that people spend $$ on that I find silly or extravagent, but I certainly don't have any desire to say that my values must be shared by anyone else.

I've shared this concept elsewhere on this board, but my personal route to maximising my nursing would revolve less around what school was attended or what degree was achieved. Rather, it would be more like: study everything possible while in school, go all out in both the classroom and (especially) the clinical setting to get the most out of your education. Get that RN and get a job. Once you're working (and past that first tough 1-2 years), start soaking up the CEUs and certifications, and continue mastering your day-to-day clinical skills. In my opinion, this is where the true nurse experts and leaders are created.

All that being said, it is your life and your money. I have no interest in telling anyone how to live that life or spend that money.

psychonaut · Jun 4, 2009

I am so glad to be able to amuse you...

My amusement was sincere but there was definitely some sarcasm in there. To be clear, this was directed solely at the words I was quoting in my post.

From a personal standpoint, you are talking to a guy who is all about education for it's own sake. I used to read through my college catalogs in the same way as I thumbed through the Toys-R-Us catalog as a kid. The student loans for my first degree reflect that fact, as 30+ credits not "required" by the degree starts to add up, even at my reasonably-priced state U. I even managed to squeeze a couple of unnecessary classes into my nursing program, which was a full enough schedule as it was.

...not trying to sound stuck up or anything, but some people want more than just their license. Is that so hard to accept?

I absolutely accept that. An underlying theme of this thread (general, not you) seems to be coming across as "more $$$ for education = superior education = superior nurse(?)." Maybe not stated outright (although what I quoted in my first post comes close), but coming out in bits and pieces. The response seems to be "(much) less $$$ for education + same license/entry level job = wiser financial choice." These concerns are far different from a desire for a more liberal education.

I'm a bit sorry for having brought the entry-degree debate into the thread, as it is such a thread derailer...but I still think that that debate does hold similarities to the one we are having now. That is, confusing the overall benefits of a broader education (and/or of a private school education) vs. what narrow benefits such things may have for the practice of professional, licensed nursing.

nep1980 · Jun 4, 2009

Yikes is right! I'm glad my school is 93.00 a credit hour with a deferred pymt plan each semester and a 98% NCLEX pass rate. I'm glad you like Drexel, but are the people you want to work for really going to care where you went to school, or just that you passed the NCLEX?

Wow, I see you will be a Senior, I am assuming you mean at a 4 year institution, and 93.00 a credit hour is creaper than the community colleges in the Philadelphia area. If you don't mind my asking where are you going to school. I am going to Holy Family but still would like to know the cost of other schools. Also many employers do care where you went to school, espically if it is between you and another nurse equal in all ways other then type or RN or even the college attended.

beth66335, BSN, RN · Jun 4, 2009

Wow, I see you will be a Senior, I am assuming you mean at a 4 year institution, and 93.00 a credit hour is cheaper than the community colleges in the Philadelphia area. If you don't mind my asking where are you going to school. I am going to Holy Family but still would like to know the cost of other schools. Also many employers do care where you went to school, especially if it is between you and another nurse equal in all ways other then type or RN or even the college attended.

Most, if not all, of the nurses I worked with before I quit working for nursing classes at school went to one of the 4 nursing schools in our area, none of which are terribly prestigious or expensive. I think the highest tuition was South College at 20,000 a year. I do agree with another poster who said it should only matter on your first job if at all, once you've gotten employment your work history will get you all subsequent jobs. I did get a CNA job before I finished my course, because I took classes through the Red Cross and there program has an excellent reputation, but believe me I would never have gone there if the tuition was really high, I just would not have been able to justify it. I am a senior this Fall at Roane State Community College in Tennessee which also has an excellent rep and a high NCLEX pass rate, but not the high price tag, thank goodness! I am a mother of three and a wife and we are living off my husband's paycheck so I can attend school without working and we are tight. I don't qualify for any aid because my husbands salary is just above the cutoff and I have tried everything. My FAFSA says my contribution should be 8,000.00...my whole tuition since 2005 doesn't even reach that number, which means they think I should be able to pay it all myself. I have gotten assistance from my former hospital job paying every other semester's tuition when I worked there, but now we are using the colleges deferred payment plan each semester to get payments made. It has been hard, but when I'm done next Spring I will have no debt and an A.A.S. degree from a school with a very good reputation! Plus every penny of that first paycheck after taxes will be all mine...Wheee! :yeah:

JoI8815 · Jun 5, 2009

OMGosh I just want to thank you all for ALL the great advice. I'm a very open-minded person and I accept that I do not know everything so thanks again for all the advice. I recently applied to LaSalle University 16K per year as well as Holy Family University 21K per year and I'm still keeping my eyes open for cheaper schools, especially since I am on my own. To the poster that mentioned other State schools in PA - Yes I've looked into them but nursing in PA is soooo competitive its not even funny. Most programs were literally filled by January. I guess I was a little foolish for keeping my eyes on Three schools - Jefferson, Drexel and Temple U - two of which I ended up on a waiting list again because I didn't get my application in in a timely manner - my fault. So the search will def continue esp after reading that some of you went to nursing school for next to nothing. I wanna be that person too. I only have two years of school left, which means I will be 24 years old when I get my BSN if I begin this fall. I def DO NOT WANT TO BE A 24 YEAR OLD WITH A LARGE LUMP-SUM OF LOANS ON MY CREDIT:bluecry1:. So good looking out to all those who gave great advice:) Thx.

P.S. I also want to add that there are programs that pay your student loans for you AFTER you receive your nursing degree. Of course there is a little catch - you have to work for certain hospitals for 2 years but that's doable. Can't think of the website right now but will def try to remember to post it when I find it for those of you who need help or are interested.

nep1980 · Jun 5, 2009

Holy Family University 21K per year

I am going to Holy Family in the fall. They are great they will give you a determination within a week of having all your transcripts, and reccomendation letter. They also offer academic scholarships to EVERY applicant, as well as have need based grants. I got basically everything except books paid for by grants and scholarships. There are even more scholarships avaiable at Holy Family that go up in October to be distributed for next year, since I just made the decision to go to Holy Family I missed that deadline, but still ended up getting aid. The only thing is that you say you have 2 years to go, well Holy Family makes a transfer student do 3.5 semesters, no matter what- and it has to be full time during the day......Something to think about. But def. go for the BSN

jpeters84 · Jun 5, 2009

I think only you can decide what level of debt you are comfortable going into to get your nursing degree. Becoming a nurse practitioner is my dream. I already have a degree so I knew that going back to school to become a nurse was going to be my financial responsibility. I looked at going to a community college which offers an excellent education at a fraction of the cost but when I looked at how long it was going to take me to go that route, how many years without a salary, the numbers didn't add up for me.

I'm older so I want to get my degree ASAP. I got into a good BSN program that was going to cost $24,000 a year and I was only going to be able to work minimal part-time meaning I needed to get financial aid to help cover rent, groceries, health care, and other expenses. I will graduate with a large amount of debt. However I have a number of options. I can join the military. I can live extremely frugally the first five years out of school and put the huge majority of my paycheck towards my loans, I can join the NIH nursing loan repayment program.

So as uncomfortable as I am at times with the feeling of having this debt I will never regret getting in and getting my degree right away. I have several excellent options to paydown this debt in a very quick manner. A lot of people on this website act like student debt is the worst thing in the world. I disagree. You're investing in yourself and your future. As long as you're not blowing your financial aid dollars on silly things and as long as you have a solvent plan to handle the debt when you're out I say congratulations and go get that degree. Drexel is an excellent school!

Also, I wouldn't hold your breath for this, but it does seem that Obama is committed in making nursing education more affordable so who knows in a couple of years there might be some excellent loan repayment programs.

nep1980 · Jun 6, 2009

I am also planning on becoming a Nurse Practitioner and am 28, so I AGREE TOTALLY with you. Get the proper BSN to let you study at the graduate level right from the gate. You will be more than rewarded and comfortably able to pay back you debt. Live you life do what you want, its not like you won't have options as a nurse. Many of my friends from the community college where I did my pre req's are going to only get their Associates, they are like "oh I will get my job to pay for my education later". I say forget later invest today, you only get out what you put in!!!!

nnicolee · Jun 6, 2009

I am also planning on becoming a Nurse Practitioner and am 28, so I AGREE TOTALLY with you. Get the proper BSN to let you study at the graduate level right from the gate. You will be more than rewarded and comfortably able to pay back you debt. Live you life do what you want, its not like you won't have options as a nurse. Many of my friends from the community college where I did my pre req's are going to only get their Associates, they are like "oh I will get my job to pay for my education later". I say forget later invest today, you only get out what you put in!!!!

I COMPLETELY AGREE. That was one main reason I personally decided to stay away from getting my ADN when I had the chance to. I think if you have the time and the will to get your RN license in the first place why not go major and just knock the BSN all out at once? To me getting my ADN, graduating, then getting a job at a hospital (hahaha yeah right.... no one's hiring right now) and having them "pay" for my degree seems pointless. The fact that there is no jobs right now really worries me and from a pessimistic point of view, it can only get worse. The fact that MANY NURSES w/ experience, bachelor's and associates don't even have jobs is another thing to worry about to. New grad vs. experienced nurse..... who get's the job? We all know. Me personally, I HATE waiting for anything. The fact that I could basically let time pass me by because I didn't get a job at the hospital right after I graduated (as many anticipate when getting their ADN) would really make me regret my choice in getting my associates. I understand many people just want to get their associates to start working as soon as possible (or possibly have other personal reasons &/ or familial responsibilites) but I personally thinks that it's just a hassle. If you can't go big, go home. And I mean no disrespect to people with ADNs at all I just think that with the current job market and millions unemployed it's the smartest way to go (if you HAVE the time and ability).