How much do you really make?

THELIVINGWORST, ASN, RN · Dec 19, 2015

I would do an ADN instead at a CC to save money but still be an RN then move to an area that hires ADNs

AnnaK12 · Dec 19, 2015

hey again! Thank you for the advice with Puerto Rico!! I will have a look into it. :)

I am here on a student visa (F1). So no matter where I go, I always have to pay the out of state/international tuition. Yes I have to show proof of my financial funds. A doctor, who I know here in California, was so kind and she sponsored me. So it was actually here financial statement I that I showed to the Community College. However I took my own loan out (from a bank in Europe) and I have to pay for my entire education on my own. she only help me with the proof of financial funds, because the money has to sit in the bank account for at least 6 months.

Sorry to bug you again about the LVN program... So you think that would be a great idea to get this one first? What does an LVN actually do? will i be able to find a job?

JustBeachyNurse, LPN · Dec 19, 2015

LVN may not qualify for a student visa and definitely does not qualify for a work visa. So you won't be able to work. It's not recognized overseas so LVN for a F1 student is not an option.

CBlover, BSN, RN · Dec 19, 2015

I could not imagine starting life with a 100k debt. If I were you I would look into an associate degree nursing program at a community college as someone else mentioned. How long are you planning on staying in the US? If you're planning on staying for life I would do the ADN then later get your BSN after you've become a permanent resident and tuition would no longer be "out of state." My husband is a foreigner so I'm speaking from first hand experience.

CrunchRN, ADN, RN · Dec 19, 2015

Way too much debt for a nursing degree.

CBlover, BSN, RN · Dec 19, 2015

Way too much debt for a nursing degree.

Agree. You're not going to make enough to pay that mess off. I don't care where you work...not as a new grad.

JustBeachyNurse, LPN · Dec 19, 2015

How do you plan on staying in the US? There are almost no facilities willing to sponsor a new grad nurse when there are thousands of citizens and permanent resident new grad nurses to choose from.

The intent of an F1 is you learn then return to your home country to practice in your profession. Most other countries require a minimum of a BSN/equivalent

AnnaK12 · Dec 20, 2015

Again Thank you to all of you!

Yes you are right. all other countries require me to have a BSN degree. therefore the LVN might now be my best possible choice either.

3 years ago with the age of 25 i was so convinced that I can make this happen. but now i just dont know anything anymore. Especially after looking on how much universities actually charge for international students. Yes! you are all right having 100K debts is a mess. just the thought of it gives me a headache :(

I will look into the community college for their ADN programs. Thank you so so much!!

nurseypants123 · Dec 20, 2015

I came out of nursing school 2 years ago with around 80K in loans (spent 6 years getting my first degree, paid for an expensive accelerated program). I live modestly and put between $1000 and $1500 a month towards my loans and will have them paid off in the next 4-6 years. When I started I made around $3000 net per month, now I make around $4000 net per month, $5000 if I pick up an extra shift each week. I work in a fairly well paid area of the country.

I wouldn't recommend to anyone that getting $100K in loans is a good idea. When I got my loans I had no concept of what paying them off would mean. But if you have a plan for paying them off that you are able and willing to stick to for x number of years and it's what you really want to do, sure it's possible. If you don't know if you'll want to stick it out at a good salary in the US, maybe not such a good idea.

Have you considered finishing a degree with prerequisites at community college and applying to an accelerated program?

Pangea Reunited, ASN, RN · Dec 20, 2015

LVN is a horrible option in Southern California. We have two LVNS working as unit clerks who've had their positions for over a year because they can't find nursing jobs. ADN is workable, but not desirable in this market until you have a few years of experience ...and even then, your choices will be limited. If you're not willing to move to a more favorable location, I'm afraid that none of your plans are ideal.

When I worked in Texas as a new grad, I worked with lots of BSN new grads from California who had to leave the state to find their first jobs.

If you need to take out loans for school, community college is a good idea, but move to an area where the cost of living is low and tuition is low. You can move back to California after you get some experience, make California wages and pay those "small" loans off fast. What you don't want are California loans while working in a lower cost of living state (or country).

JustBeachyNurse, LPN · Dec 20, 2015

Remember the OP is on a student visa. There are limits as to how many credits they can take. They are restricted from working while in school and often restricted from certain programs such as most RN-BSN post ASN and ABSN programs. No financial aid. LVN will not meet the requirements of a student or work visa. They cannot get ANY student loans or financial aid and tuition for international students is 2-4x that of a citizen or permanent resident. She has no work rights and is expected to return to her home country post graduation. With a new grad nurse unemployment rate of up to 47% in CA the odds of any facility considering sponsoring her post graduation for a work visa is virtually nil. No job = no way to pay off student loans hence why she had to show proof of sufficient funds to cover tuition and all living expenses for the duration of her student visa.

sjalv · Dec 20, 2015

I make about $34k/yr AFTER taxes. I work nights at a hospital. Oklahoma is one of the lowest paying states in the nation, for the record.