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Discussion

Getting in over my head?

Hi,

I'm new to this site and need some advice. I was hoping someone out there could relate.

I'm in my early 40's and decided to go to nursing school. I have a B.A. in Psychology and I still owe about $25,000.00 in student loans.

It will take me the same amount of time for an ADN and a BSN, but the cost will be alot more. I will incur about $46,000.00 more in student loans if I go to the University and only about 11,000.00 more if I get my ADN.

So, my question is, is a total of 71,000.00 too much debt for a BSN? I live in Iowa.

Thanks,

Jen

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    • Featured Replies

    I am in a similar position, 39 with a ba in English, 14k in student loan debt.

    I decided on the absn at the state university because it was 14 months long, 10 months shorter than the ADN, and only 15k more. Also, hospitals in my area do not hire ADN new grads.

    I think the important factors to consider are whether the jobs you want will hire ADN nurses, and whether or not you can do an accelerated bsn for a little bit cheaper/shorter time period at a state school.

    Good luck!

  • Quote
    • Experts

    As suggested by the previous poster ...

    Research your local job market for new grad ADN's. Are those the types of jobs you want? If so, then get the ADN and be happy. Let your employer help pay for a BSN completion program that you take 1 or 2 courses at a time.

    If you find that the jobs available for new grad ADN's in your area are not the types of jobs that would interest you ... then you need to come up with another plan. $71K is too much loan for an entry-level nursing degree in Iowa. Even a young person with the whole adult life ahead of them should never have student loans that equal more than what they will earn their first year out of school. And you are not that young ... and I doubt a new grad in Iowa makes $71K in the first year.

    If you can't find a cheaper BSN program ... then perhaps you should cut back on your living expenses and delay school for a year while you get rid of the debt from the previous education that you no longer want to rely on to earn a living. Live really cheap and pay that bill off (along with any other bills that you have). Then continue to live really cheap while you work your way through a BSN program, keeping the debt down to a minimum. That's the way to do it.

    You are right ... you are getting in over your head and you need to stop yourself before you do permanent damage to your personal/family finances.

  • Quote

    I had a previous Bachelor's in an unrelated field prior to going to nursing school. I spent about 10k for a BSN (5k/yr, could not even believe it when other students complained about tuition) Are you able to relocate? There are some schools with good NCLEX pass rates that are substantially less expensive. I agree with the PP...that is a lot of money to be in debt...

  • Quote

    Way too much. You may not find a job and if you do you may decide the work isnt something you can do long term.

    Before you consider it, talk to some LTC nurses as that could possibly be your only option as a new grad.

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    Yes. Get the ADN and then you can get the BSN later for another 10k.

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