How am I gonna pay for this???

CrunchRN, ADN, RN · Apr 8, 2017

No. Look for another way. That debt will seriously harm your future.

lebelesprit_ · Apr 8, 2017

Any other options?

No. Look for another way. That debt will seriously harm your future.

Ndoht, ADN, CNA, LPN, RN · Apr 9, 2017

I would still go for the local community colleges. With financial aid, it should be way much easier to handle. If you get the prerequisite courses and the TEAS, the point system shouldn't be too intimidating. You don't need to be at the top of the points list to be admitted.

mmc51264, BSN, MSN, RN · Apr 9, 2017

I would go for it. There will be tuition reimbursement if they hire you. It is a great program with a great reputation and opens doors for other opportunities.

I didn't go to Watts, but i managed nursing school with a full time HH job, two kids. The timing is doable.

lebelesprit_ · Apr 9, 2017

Well, i got my background check request from watts and by all accounts, that indicates acceptance. I could start there in june. If it doesnt pan out, ill go back to my cc. Ive just heard sooooo many horror stories about waitlists and points. I dont wanna waste a year re taking pre reqs to get better grades for more points or not do as well on the teas and not get enough points but i will if i cant get into or pay for watts. Thanks hun, ill keep u posted

I would still go for the local community colleges. With financial aid, it should be way much easier to handle. If you get the prerequisite courses and the TEAS, the point system shouldn't be too intimidating. You don't need to be at the top of the points list to be admitted.

lebelesprit_ · Apr 9, 2017

I would go for it. There will be tuition reimbursement if they hire you. It is a great program with a great reputation and opens doors for other opportunities.
I didn't go to Watts, but i managed nursing school with a full time HH job, two kids. The timing is doable.

Thats what im thinking. So do you think its realistic for me to be able to borrow semester after semester from say sallie mae? How much extra above tuition could i borrow? Thanks for the encouragement.

berdawn, ASN · Apr 9, 2017

I would definitely stay at the CC until you complete EVERYTHING except the Nursing courses, especially if you may have to work PT. You'll save a LOT. It may take longer but you will get so much more out of your classes if you can focus on the material. I am so grateful I am only taking nutrition along with my 1st semester class--nearly every student who is taking physiology, psych, AND the 8 hour fundamental class is struggling.

lebelesprit_ · Apr 9, 2017

I would definitely stay at the CC until you complete EVERYTHING except the Nursing courses, especially if you may have to work PT. You'll save a LOT. It may take longer but you will get so much more out of your classes if you can focus on the material. I am so grateful I am only taking nutrition along with my 1st semester class--nearly every student who is taking physiology, psych, AND the 8 hour fundamental class is struggling.

Ive taken all but like 3 pre reqs but the way wson works is you have to take a certain amount of pre reqs at mt olive so ill have to retake a few. Good news is it only takes 6 months.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Apr 9, 2017

Can I depend solely on student loans to fund my education and living expenses? How is everyone else handling it? HEEEELP!!!!

I worked full-time during nursing school to pay for my living expenses.

Never in a million years would I obtain loans for living expenses such as housing, utilities and food. Doing so can get you in trouble through unnecessary debt. You do not want to repay $80k in loans on a typically paltry $22/hr RN wage in NC.

Only use student loans for school tuition and fees. Nothing else. Get a job as a CNA, direct care worker, or home health aide and work while you attend school. If you do not have CNA or HHA certification, obtaining these only takes a few weeks.

lebelesprit_ · Apr 9, 2017

I worked full-time during nursing school to pay for my living expenses.
Never in a million years would I obtain loans for living expenses such as housing, utilities and food. Doing so can get you in trouble through unnecessary debt load.
Only use student loans for school tuition and fees. Nothing else. Get a job as a CNA, direct care worker, or home health aide and work while you attend school. If you do not have CNA or HHA certification, obtaining these only takes a few weeks.

Its a full time m-f program so im not sure i can work ft as well. Ive got a pt job i work now on friday and sat nights that ill keep. I only male about 500 a month but it allows for about 6 hours of study time a night and im sure i can get a few shifts during the week.

WookieeRN, BSN, MSN, RN · Apr 9, 2017

I worked part-time at Watts during my first and second semesters. By third semester it was way too much to handle so I didn't work my last two semesters. I know there are people that do it but it is TOUGH.

I'll also be working for Duke starting in July so they'll give you up to $25k in loan reimbursement so that made it easier to take on the loan for living expenses (I only took $5k for each semester because I was being supported by my family as well). That essentially will pay off Watts (for me, at least). I also used Federal loans and I received the Pell Grant my last 2 semesters that helped a lot.