Got Accepted to Duke FNP. Not sure how to manage student loans, mortgage, and family?

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I found out last week that I got accepted into the Duke FNP PT program online. While I am very happy, I am also very nervous. I bought a house last year with my husband and take care of my mother and grandmother. I chose PT for school because I can not afford to work less than FT. I need the financial needs to pay for my mortgage and take care of my mother and grandmother. I am concerned that even with this, I won't be able to handle it. Have any of you gone to Duke for their FNP or gone to a school similar to Duke to get their FNP? I would like to hear how you guys managed school and work (if you did). Another concern for me is the tuition which is $80,000. I am concerned that with this amount of loan along with my mortgage, I won't be able to pay for it when I do get a job as a FNP. Has anyone gone to FNP school and pay for a mortgage at the same time? Was it doable? I would really appreciate some input since I have to pay Duke a deposit by June 1st. Thanks.

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Yeah. Don't do that!!

Sorry, but I'm in the middle of helping my high school daughter with college admissions and helping her understand debt. That is a HUGE student loan debt. I think a more reasonable amount is $15-30K tops. You will be paid the same as any other NP...regardless of name and prestige of the university.

Do you not have any online state school options?

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I live in NC. Unfortunately NC is very limited on their online NP program. I would prefer to attend class in person, but I can not. It's been a year since I did my search, but the only schools that offered PT FNP Online were Duke and ECU; however, ECU's is a DNP. Their program was more affordable but required the GRE, references with one being from a doctorally prepared nurse, and other extra requirements. ECU's DNP program is 4 years PT with anywhere from 6 to 9 credit hours a semester. Duke's average is 4-7 credit hours a semester. This would allow some leeway for me to work. And I know 80 grand is A LOT of money. Not sure what I should do now.

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Specializes in Education, FP, LNC, Forensics, ED, OB.

Welcome to allnurses.com

Thread moved to Student NP forum where Students and NPs will reply.

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Specializes in CTICU.

Yeah there's no way I would go into that much debt - with the difference in pay between an RN and an NP, it would take waaaay too long to pay off.

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If you don't mind me asking.. what GPA did you get into DUKE with. I am looking into FNP school and Duke is one of them. I currently have a 3.7 and have a year of my BSN left

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3.91 was my gpa. I know that for duke the gpa, essay and interview are very important for consideration into their program. 3.7 is great! The GRE is not required for your GPA. Tuition is high though but hopefully it will be worth it in the end.

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Nancync,

If you don't mind me asking, where are you located in NC? Western Carolina offers their program with class 1 x week in Asheville if you are close to there. I am in far western NC and I am doing school in Chattanooga with class 1 x week.

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Too far...I live in the central region of nc. Correct me if I'm wrong but isn't it FT?

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Specializes in OR Nursing, Critical Care, Med-surg.

3.91 GPA, good recommendations, and good essay -- I'm pretty sure you could get into a more affordable university with a great reputation. 80K is a lot of money; I could never. I don't have time to be repaying 80K+interest for "x" amount of years, nope. Plus, NP pay according to research isn't all that great. In-state universities are normally pretty reasonable in price. My FNP program is about 18K - it's a state non for profit university; I plan on using tuition reimbursement via my employer and out of pocket money to avoid loans.

However, if Duke is your dream school, go for it.

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I'm back again. Have you contacted all of the public/state schools in your area personally with a phone call i.e. not just looking online to see if there are any part-time options?

$80K is gonna be all private loans, right? The interest will accrue while you are in school and the total will be close to $100k total and is such a horrible idea I can't even imagine sleeping at night.

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I am also from NC. I work with a colleague that graduated from the Duke program. I attended a state school. Both of us have similar positions and salaries. She is still paying on and often complains about her >$80,000 loans. I graduated debt free. You have some great opportunities for low cost but high quality education in a state school (UNC, ECU, WCU, UNCG, UNCW, UNCC, etc). I personally would choose one of these schools even if it means a prolonged course of study or having to adjust your work schedule to attend. Try to minimize your student loans and your future self will thank you!

If you must attend an online program and a state school will not work, I would look into out-of-state schools that have NC approval. Here is the list - Approved Degree Programs of Licensed Institutions | UNC GA. Of these, I would disregard any for-profit schools (ie. Kaplan, South, etc). I would look closely at the University of South Alabama that offers an online MSN. It is a state school and you qualify for in-state tuition, which was very reasonable last I checked. You could also look at Frontier.

I recognize that your deadline is fast approaching and this is a big decision. You are clearly a qualified graduate applicant and would likely not have any problem getting into another program. Good luck!

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