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.

Here is the list from the NCBON of approved MSN programs in the state MSN | North Carolina Board of Nursing. Most of those schools have a NP program.

Please post back what you ultimately decide. Good luck!

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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.

Why would YOU "disregard any for-profit schools"? Just looking for your particular input.

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Why would YOU "disregard any for-profit schools"? Just looking for your particular input.

I know many nurses who want away from the bedside and are pursuing FNP through a for-profit school because these schools offer an online only format and have lax admission standards. It feels like these programs may contribute to a future surplus of NP providers. IF that happens, it seems very likely that where you went to school will become an important way to for employers to filter jobs applications to determine who will get an interview and are ultimately hired. This already happens to an extent. When I have been involved in hiring new NP's, the school is one of the first things you look at to determine the potential quality of the applicant. The reality is that perception matters. This is extremely evident in medicine where there is a hierarchy and a prevailing sense of academic snobbery. The classic example in this area would be a physician that graduated from Duke or UNC vs one that was trained in the Caribbean.

I am sure that there are graduates from online for-profit programs that are good applicants. I just think that you will be spending more money for the possible negative perception associated with the degree. I am not sure why you would do that? If it is convenience, there are local state schools that are accessible, online, and comparatively inexpensive.

I see in you posting history that you are considering Simmons College. I was not familiar with this program and had to look it up. It is a private school but does not seem to be for-profit. For the tuition of $1,315/credit you could alternatively attend Vanderbilt at $1,359 or Duke at $1,639 with likely a significant improvement in name recognition (and quality?). However, my recommendation would be for you to take advantage of our great in-state university system and obtain a quality education for a fraction of the above cost. Your future self will thank you when you graduate debt free (or at least can pay off your student loans faster).

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Specializes in NP, ICU, ED, Pre-op.

I am currently attending an in state school for my FNP (Columbus State, GA) It is online, has full and part time, and inexpensive. After, going the very expensive route to BSN (Emory), I learned that huge student loan debt far outweighs the positives of a big name university. Don't get me wrong I loved my experience at Emory, I have since paid if off (took 10 years), but for my masters degree I wanted something much more affordable. Good luck in whatever you decide, but I agree with all the other posters, 80,000 is a TON of money for any Masters NURSING program.....

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I know many nurses who want away from the bedside and are pursuing FNP through a for-profit school because these schools offer an online only format and have lax admission standards. It feels like these programs may contribute to a future surplus of NP providers. IF that happens, it seems very likely that where you went to school will become an important way to for employers to filter jobs applications to determine who will get an interview and are ultimately hired. This already happens to an extent. When I have been involved in hiring new NP's, the school is one of the first things you look at to determine the potential quality of the applicant. The reality is that perception matters. This is extremely evident in medicine where there is a hierarchy and a prevailing sense of academic snobbery. The classic example in this area would be a physician that graduated from Duke or UNC vs one that was trained in the Caribbean.

I am sure that there are graduates from online for-profit programs that are good applicants. I just think that you will be spending more money for the possible negative perception associated with the degree. I am not sure why you would do that? If it is convenience, there are local state schools that are accessible, online, and comparatively inexpensive.

I see in you posting history that you are considering Simmons College. I was not familiar with this program and had to look it up. It is a private school but does not seem to be for-profit. For the tuition of $1,315/credit you could alternatively attend Vanderbilt at $1,359 or Duke at $1,639 with likely a significant improvement in name recognition (and quality?). However, my recommendation would be for you to take advantage of our great in-state university system and obtain a quality education for a fraction of the above cost. Your future self will thank you when you graduate debt free (or at least can pay off your student loans faster).

I actually tend to agree with you, however, I know a handful of people who have finished for-profit degrees and are now NP's with jobs. I slacked a little in my first Bachelor's degree (prior to nursing), so I am suffering the consequences in my GPA, but outside of that I think I have a competitive application. Also, I want to get started on this 'project' and many of the local schools have a start time once or twice a year, so that puts me in another conundrum. You live in NC? Where did you go to school?

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I am currently attending an in state school for my FNP (Columbus State, GA) It is online, has full and part time, and inexpensive. After, going the very expensive route to BSN (Emory), I learned that huge student loan debt far outweighs the positives of a big name university. Don't get me wrong I loved my experience at Emory, I have since paid if off (took 10 years), but for my masters degree I wanted something much more affordable. Good luck in whatever you decide, but I agree with all the other posters, 80,000 is a TON of money for any Masters NURSING program.....

I definitely do not want the debt associated with Duke or a comparably priced school.

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Specializes in ER LTC MED SURG CLINICS UROLOGY.

I start CSU FNP in January. Is the program overtly difficult??? Any pointers for pharmacology??? Also, what is advanced underpinnings of the FNP? Thanks!

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I'm currently in an NP program at a brick and mortar school. I've been taking 1-2 classes a semester (mostly 2 by choice), and started in 2015 summer, and will be done in 2017 Fall. For my 6 hrs this semester I paid less than $2k. I cannot imagine graduating with an $80K debt in student loans and then add on to that mortgage, car note, utilities, incidentals... Just life in general. I cannot visualize a scenario where this would be the best option, other than if money is not an issue and you can pay for at least half to two-thirds out of this tuition out of pocket. It seems that there are several options in NC, other than just the 2 that were mentioned by the OP. Anyway, it seems that the OP decided to go with the expensive option. To each their own.

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