Okay, so here is my dilemma.... I just got accepted to another anesthesia school! You would think that is good, right? Well, do I go to School A in 2005 or School B in 2006? Both are good schools but money may be an issue.
School A:
accepted for 2005!!
program length 27 months, approx. cost $30,000
tons of clinical sites to choose from, lots of regional and line insertion exp.
class size about 25 students
School B:
accepted for 2006
program length 27 months, approx. cost $30,000
less clinical sites to choose from but the program director is VERY involved and concerned about student's feedback.... lots of regional experience
class size about 16 students
Honestly, I got a little bit better vibe from school B, but I know School A is also an excellent program. However, if I go in 2005, my husband will still be in med school (he will be an intern in 2006) so money may be an issue. I still have a car payment of approx. $400 a month as well. I already paid my deposit to school B, but if I go to School A I will be done a year sooner and making $100K+ a year sooner as well! My only worry is being able to borrow enough to pay rent, health insurance, and car payment while my husband is still in school as well. Monetarily it may be better for me to wait a year, but can I stand working the extra year in the ICU?? I really, really, really need some honest opinions here!! I have no idea what to do!!
New car or junker and got to school. How can either of you go to school full time and pay for it. I had to work thriugh nursing school. Med school and CRNA at the same time; I doubt it.
I am glad that you made the decision to go back to to school as soon as you can...too often we put off and put off and the opportunities evaporate...a work committment may not be the best of all worlds but if it helps gets you through it may be worth it....will your hubby be going to school in the same area where you are going to school...
Hubby is a 3rd year med student also in Philly. It will be really hard the first year, because we will both be living on loans, but we will manage somehow. Besides, as much as I love the people I work with, I am not really fond of bedside nursing, and I am just so excited to start school! My friends and family, on the other hand, think I'm totally nuts-- haha, I'll show them!!! I know deep down that all of the sacrifices I am making now will be worth it in the end.
I tend to be a conservative and would thin about waiting the extra year. I can understand your desire to get out of the ICU, but think about the bills you could pay off if you waited the extra year. I say revamp your budget NOW and live simply now, so you can take the other money and pay off some stuff and save the rest.
I agree with the concensus (sp?) of this brilliant nursing discussion board! Get in and get out with the big bux, girl! It's like waiting for the perfect time to have children - there ain't one! You and your hubby will do what you have to do becuz it is short term. So, get rid of your cell phone, cut out HBO, don't drink double lattes every morning, move, sell your car and get a reliable cheaper version. It can be done!
Congratulations! I say go for it! You got through the ACE program, you can manage this (I am in the 4th quarter of the ACE program). It may be challenging, but definitely worth it in the end. I agree with everyone about making some sacrifices, but where there is a will there is a way! :)
Hmm.... well, I know the max I can borrow a year for Stafford loans is $18,500 right? That would cover tuition, but I would need to borrow substantially more than that to pay for health insurance, rent, car payment, car insurance, food, etc. I know for my accelerated BSN I took out a private loan (Sallie Mae Signature) but the school put a limit on how much I could borrow through this option-- I think it was about $15,000. Unfortunately, I think I will need more than $15,000 a year to live on. Are there private loans that you can take out without a cap on how much you can borrow? Right now I have NO savings because I just got married and spent all my money on that. I was also considering approaching the anesthesia department where I currently work and inquiring about a stipend in exchange for a work committment, but from reading lots of posts on this board that is often warned against. Financially I would be in a much better spot if I went in 2006, but you are right, I would be kicking myself when I saw my peers graduating a year before me! Keep the advice coming guys..... Thanks again.
Emerald....check some old posts here....I KNOW I have read on here somewhere where a person mentioned at least 1 place that will let you borrow like 30K for education..this is a private (not stafford) loan. Sounds like JUST what you might need. I'm so happy for you..YOU GO GIRL!!
Have you thought about traveling (while spouse is in school) and making enough money to pay for your education. Something to think about. Nurse Anesthesia school is very expensive. You could use that year to pay for your education...
Okay, so here is my dilemma.... I just got accepted to another anesthesia school! You would think that is good, right? Well, do I go to School A in 2005 or School B in 2006? Both are good schools but money may be an issue.
School A:
accepted for 2005!!
program length 27 months, approx. cost $30,000
tons of clinical sites to choose from, lots of regional and line insertion exp.
class size about 25 students
School B:
accepted for 2006
program length 27 months, approx. cost $30,000
less clinical sites to choose from but the program director is VERY involved and concerned about student's feedback.... lots of regional experience
class size about 16 students
Honestly, I got a little bit better vibe from school B, but I know School A is also an excellent program. However, if I go in 2005, my husband will still be in med school (he will be an intern in 2006) so money may be an issue. I still have a car payment of approx. $400 a month as well. I already paid my deposit to school B, but if I go to School A I will be done a year sooner and making $100K+ a year sooner as well! My only worry is being able to borrow enough to pay rent, health insurance, and car payment while my husband is still in school as well. Monetarily it may be better for me to wait a year, but can I stand working the extra year in the ICU?? I really, really, really need some honest opinions here!! I have no idea what to do!!
Would you consider joining the military (i.e. US Army)? Applying to the military's CRNA program may be the option for you - assuming your in good physical condition. Tuition, off post housing, and a salary is provided by your Uncle Sam. Whats the catch? 4.5 yrs of active duty payback time which may include trips to vacation hotspots all over the world - the most popular lately a resort located between the Tigis and Euphrates river! - And NO the place is no longer called Mesopotamia.
Ah yes, vacation hotspots--- like Iraq?? I'd rather not sell my soul to the military in exchange for tuition!! I think what I am going to do is stay at the job I am at for the next year, work overtime, and try to take at least 3-4 of the core master's courses ahead of time before I start the anesthesia program full-time in fall 2005. I am also going to check into that BankOne loan, and try to live frugally. No more Coach handbags or Gucci sunglasses for me..... sigh.....
Thanks again for all your advice everyone, I really appreciate it.
Jailhouse RN
156 Posts
New car or junker and got to school. How can either of you go to school full time and pay for it. I had to work thriugh nursing school. Med school and CRNA at the same time; I doubt it.