How to pay for BSN & CRNA School

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I'm a second degree student with a degree in architecture. Needless to say, architects ride an economic roller coaster that has its great rewards and devastating failures but I'm tired of it an just want off the ride. My dad's side of the family have mostly been in the medical field, so it was no surprise to me as a kid to want to be a CRNA like my uncle when I grew up. However, my mom's side of the family convinced me to try architecture, another lesser passion.

Long story short, my parents comped the bill for school the first time. I graduated with a bachelors in architecture. Now I'm going to have to pay for everything and haven't the slightest clue if it's possible. I'm planning on attending a 16 month accelerated nursing BSN program, working for a year/+ in an ICU, and thereafter attending a CRNA school.

I don't think I'm eligible for many Federal grants since this is a second bachelors. My main question is: is there a possibility that once I finish my 16 month BSN that in total, will cost around 50k for tuition, room, board, etc., that I won't be able to obtain a loan to move onward to CRNA school which I'm expecting to cost around 80k? I realize every person's story varies, but does anyone have a success story where they've done this BSN+CRNA process start to finish entirely on loans? Any advice on who I should talk to in the field that could help coach me through the process?

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as a 2nd degree student you will be eligable for federal loans but there are caps on the amount you can borrow per year.. for the undergrad level it somewhere around 10.5k per year.. so you would then have to consider private loans to cover the remaining 40k and that just for BSN... not sure how much of your 80k federal loans would cover for the CRNA

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Specializes in L&D, infusion, urology.

What do you mean by, "have the Army pay for school"?

Why does it need to cost $50K and $80K to obtain your BSN and CRNA, respectively?

I think you need to look at different schools, and at the possibility of attending a slightly longer program in order to keep yourself from getting up to your eyeballs in debt. Also, if you plan to go for your CRNA, you will need to work for a couple of years first. Use that time to look at less expensive programs and to save money for school. I am a new grad BSN RN, and I am saving for my master's program at this point, in addition to paying off my student loans from my BSN. I'm willing to wait until my student loans are paid off to go for my master's, just so I'm not killing myself in loan payments. You need to look at the long term financial stress of such expensive programs, and recognize there are other options.

Are you able to save any money with your current occupation to help keep you from getting as many loans? Can you pick up extra work or work part time through your program?

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Specializes in NICU, Trauma, Oncology.

Federal loan limits are 57,500 for undergrad and 138,500 for grad school. You will be eligible for loans but not grants.

Studentaid.ed.gov

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I have considered serving in the army to assist with school debt. Also, there is the service factor, which I've always been interested in. Many family members who have served. 50k is the total costs associated, including room, board, etc. with attending a 16 month accelerated BSN in nursing. 80k is probably a little unrealistic and I figure it will cost more with room & board, etc. (probably more like 120k) for CRNA education. I plan on saving over the next year and paying for prereqs out of pocket. As of now, I work with a design firm so they most likely won't be helping financially with my return to school for a different profession. Working part time isn't recommended with the accelerated program and certainly not for the CRNA degree program.

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CRNA is considered grad school and those loans have a different set of rules, so that won't be the problem.

The 2nd BSN, you will most likely have to take out private loans if you don't go the military route. I was interested in the military route too and it definitely has its benefits. So if you want that, I would get accepted first and then apply for the Army, they have programs so you can stay in school and they pay for it and then you go to Officer school instead of boot camp, which you would already do since you have the 4 yr degree.

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I have considered serving in the army to assist with school debt. Also, there is the service factor, which I've always been interested in. Many family members who have served. 50k is the total costs associated, including room, board, etc. with attending a 16 month accelerated BSN in nursing. 80k is probably a little unrealistic and I figure it will cost more with room & board, etc. (probably more like 120k) for CRNA education. I plan on saving over the next year and paying for prereqs out of pocket. As of now, I work with a design firm so they most likely won't be helping financially with my return to school for a different profession. Working part time isn't recommended with the accelerated program and certainly not for the CRNA degree program.

I only see a slight problem with this plan and I may be wrong so correct me if I am. But if you are planning to serve in the Army as a nurse once you graduate with your BSN, you might be mistaken in the thought that you will be placed in an ICU. From what I have heard and read, if you plan to join the Army with the intent of being a nurse in the Army, you are sent to a place in need. This means that you get placed where there is significant need for nurses. These places are not what most people hope to work at, but is where your service is needed if you joined the Army. You most likely won't be in a ICU but it is more probable you'll be placed in a Med-Surg setting.

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I would be serving in the army after CRNA school as a CRNA. Thanks for the heads up though, that's important to know too.

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Specializes in NICU, Trauma, Oncology.

The 2nd BSN, you will most likely have to take out private loans if you don't go the military route. I was interested in the military route too and it definitely has its benefits. So if you want that, I would get accepted first and then apply for the Army, they have programs so you can stay in school and they pay for it and then you go to Officer school instead of boot camp, which you would already do since you have the 4 yr degree.

False, you can get federal loans for a 2nd degree. You will just be limited by the aggregate limit of 57,500

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Specializes in ICU.

Do you have a realistic expectation of what a nurse does? Are you absolutely positive that you want to leave being an architect? What are looking for in being a nurse that you don't get as an architect? Just trying to figure out your motivations because this is an awful lot of money you are wanting to spend that will have to be paid back. And don't just join the army to get them to pay for school. The army is a huge commitment that requires you to essentially put your life on the line for this country. The men and women who serve our country do it because they are commited to defending our freedom. They know they could be deployed and killed at any time. Having their schooling paid for is a small way to pay them back for their sacrifice. I honestly don't think you have thought this through at all.

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I appreciate the concern Heather. I've reviewed these message boards for several months now after having them recommended to me by a friend and commitment in regards to the army and the profession of CRNA always comes up at some point in a discussion like this, for what reason- I have no idea. I didn't feel the need to write a heartfelt novel on why I want to be a nurse and serve in the army because my question is about paying for school. I don't want to waste everyone's time by forcing them to filter through my thoughts on why I think serving my country is an honor and a serious commitment, and being a CRNA is sincerely something I've wanted to do since I was in highschool. Simple question, simple answer.

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Specializes in Pediatrics.

Realistically, whether you are civilian or military, you will not be working in an ICU after BSN graduation. Additionally, CRNA school requires a minimum of one year of ICU nursing, but given the competitive nature of most programs, many applicants have 2-5 years experience, CCRN certification, and additional science classes such as organic chemistry and physics under their belt (as opposed to the lower level chem/A&P/bio courses).

This may throw a wrench into your schedule, but it might be a good wrench, because it will give you the time to work and save up money rather than relying purely on loans (especially as some schools are starting to transition to longer doctoral programs).

My suggestion to you in order to fund your education is to select a state university that also offers a CRNA program. This can allow you to earn your credits at a lower price (sometimes a fraction, in my case: USF CRNA program is 30k, Florida Adventist University is 70k), but most importantly, you will have the opportunity to:

1. Build relationships and network with professors and faculty

2. Perform extremely well and gain positive recognition

3. Use these things to apply for the few scholarships out there that exist.

There isn't a ton of scholarship opportunity for CRNAs, because most grad scholarships are slated for phd and research-related things rather than professional career programs. But by getting attention as an undergrad, you may be able to nab some grad level grants, and your best shot at doing that is to do undergrad work at the same place you plan to get your CRNA.

Honestly though, if the military is willing to pay for it, or it will ease the way, I would go that route.

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