i would just like to get a general idea of how much nursing school debt average rns bsn- or apn-prepared are carrying in educational debt? i studied nursing as a second career having left journalism. the entire bsn cost me about $13,000 (books and uniforms included), not having to take any general education credits only nursing courses. worth every penny of it!i was never so marketable as a journalist. i can quit a job one morning and be working another by 3:00pm the same day.
however, i am now interested in a msn np psych program that is $18,000 per year and am leery about this debt. just hoping to get some feedback on justifiable debt. any insight and information will be greatly appreciated. thank you.
Pell grants are from the fed. In NC we have something called Nurse scholarship loan program. They gave me money each semester which ended up being cash in pocket that I used to buy uniforms and such. It is a scholarship if you work in the state for 2 years after graduating. If not you pay it back like a loan. We have an education lottery here that also assist with higher learning.
I already had a BA when I went to nursing school. I was also married, with no kids and a decent income. The only financial aid I qualified for was loans.
I got my ADN at a community college. Including prereqs, it cost me about $7,000. I worked full-time while in school. Combined with my BA debt, I owe about $15,000.
Was it worth it? I would have to say yes. My ADN has taken me farther than my BA did. However, I wish I'd gone for an LPN instead of an RN. I could've graduated a year earlier, and I have yet to work a job that requires an RN.
My two cents (and this is just my perception mind you):
Unless you're planning on going to get your masters/NP 'soon' (my definition of 'soon' is
In fact, if you can get your ADN from a reputable community college, it's even better.
I know some institutions pay "better" for BSNs over ADNs but I've heard of few and far between (and I've never come across one personally). In any case, I sincerely doubt that the "bonus pay" is worth the extra tuition fee.
There is however an argument to be made that "as a BSN, atleast you have a Bachelor's Degree behind your name. Which will help you if you were to ever find yourself looking for a job outside of nursing".
Nursing is my second career too(prior BA). I spent about $0 due to GI bill and scolarships but without those benefits it would've cost me $3k. Nursing although not my favorite job/profession has been lucrative and paid me back generously. I think this is one of the professions that getting a higher degree never hurts and will always be productive and worthwhile. SO, Go for IT!!
Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
So did all of you nurses out there not get grants?
I did not get grants. Loans were the only type of financial aid for which I was eligible. I was single with no children and had been earning decent income at the time I decided to return to school to pursue nursing.
Also, I was 23 years old when I returned to school. Although I had been living on my own, earning my own money, and financially supporting myself, all students under age 25 need their parents' information on the FAFSA to determine eligibility. The only ways of getting around this requirement were marriage, military, or kids, and none of these three situations applied to me. Since my parents were not going to provide information or have anything to do with the FAFSA, I had to do what I had to do.
My BSN was accelerated 16 month program, it was a private college and cost approx $40,000. I had to pay for 1/2 of my 1st bachelor degree; I owed approx $64,000 in total in student loans for my 2 degrees. I paid off all my student loans in 1.5 years. My suggestion would be never let money be a factor in pursuing your dreams. That's why you get loans. You will pay them back! Just make goal charts and it will be achieved! :)
Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
Where did u attend your schooling
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To whom are you asking this question? There are 30+ people who have responded to this thread. Also, keep in mind that this thread was started in 2011 and many of the respondents have not logged on to the forums in years.
LPN was $15,000 total. Student loans covered about $10,000 of that. My ADN has cost me $0. I have worked my tail off and gotten scholarships to cover what my grants did not. The BSN option I am pursuing is about $10,000. I am planning on getting scholarships and grants to cover most of it. What I cannot get covered by that I am planning on paying cash for. I despise student loan debt. It's expensive and with the current trend of things, who knows what regulations on collectors will be in a few years.. No thanks. Now that's not saying I judge. Some cannot simply afford to pay cash, but please take out at LITTLE student loan debt as possible.
Five&Two Will Do
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Pell grants are from the fed. In NC we have something called Nurse scholarship loan program. They gave me money each semester which ended up being cash in pocket that I used to buy uniforms and such. It is a scholarship if you work in the state for 2 years after graduating. If not you pay it back like a loan. We have an education lottery here that also assist with higher learning.