Is 53k for school worth it?

HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD · Apr 30, 2010

John,

You are very wise to undertake a very thorough investigation - examining all the pluses & minuses before making your decision. That is a very high cost for a 2 year degree. Is this a commercial school? I believe that their clinical hours claim must be waaay overstated. You can do the math and see that it just would not be possible in a 2 year program that has to include academic courses also.

If the school's representative was making all these claims - rather than just answering questions from participants, they are in violation of regulations outlining 'deceptive trade practices' for academic organizations. Schools are prohibited from claims related about job placement or starting salary. Schools are not job placement organizations - it is illegal for them to present themselves in this way. It may be purely innocent - due to ignorance - but I am aghast that they do not have better trained people acting as their representatives. It does not speak well for the overall integrity of this school.

If nursing is truly what you want to do - I would advise you to get your name on the list for one of the other programs and wait for your name to be called. Down side - by the time you begin the program, you will be taking a serious pay cut by switching careers. Nursing salaries are very compressed - they may seem high to begin with, but there is very little salary growth with experience, especially if you do not have at least a BSN.

SonorityGenius · Apr 30, 2010

if you're making 62k as a manager - by all means STAY as a manager right now, lol - new grad jobs are almost non existant and nursing school will most likely require you to quit down the line.. and nurses make 50-55k at most new grad salary...

RN1263 · Apr 30, 2010

I would not pay 53K for nursing school and you will take a pay cut in nursing from what you are currently making for the first several years depending on your area/location. If you owe 53K for school you will pay for that for probably the rest of your life, don't forget they get interest too!

My local community college told me 2 1/2 yr wait when I was done with my pre-reqs so I transfered to a university that got me in.. in 6 mos. once I already started the nursing program at the university the CC called and said they now had openings to the nursing program for the next semester (what? they shaved off 1 1/2 yrs?) Needless to say I stayed put at the university but was upset at how wrong the CC was on when I could've gotten in to their nursing program.

I am skeptical regarding their nursing placement for new grads (and the pay!) and think it is a sales pitch to be honest. Do they have any proof they can show you? names? numbers?...Anything so you can verify it yourself?...... Don't take them at face value, look into it.

Good Luck to you

classicdame, MSN, EdD · Apr 30, 2010

Personally, I would wait till the effects of the Health Care Reform Bill is better known. I anticipate fewer nursing jobs, more ancillary help (less pay) and tighter budgeting in hospitals.

ParkerBC,MSN,RN, PhD, RN · Apr 30, 2010

While all of these statistics are good, there would be more information I would request. First, is the school accredited by NLNAC or CCNE? You can type these acronyms into your search engine to find their websites. Then you can research to see if your school is accredited or seeking accreditation. If not, you may have difficulty finding employment (I know they said there was a 100% job placement, but was the job placement in facilities that just can’t keep nurses? If so, then what do you think the environment will be like?). Also, what kind of reputation does the school have in the nursing community? You can find this information out by asking nurses or hiring managers. If you call a hiring manager, you can say, “I am thinking about attending nursing school at XYZ school, do you know much about the school? If so, will you be willing to share your thoughts? Do you hire graduates from XYZ’s program?”

About the costs, I think it is a personal choice. I am spending about 45K on my program. The program I am in is a second-degree bachelor’s program. Some think I am crazy for doing it, but I think it is a good investment towards my sanity. I was an Area Manager for a restaurant chain before going into nursing. I too will take a pay cut, but quality of life means more to me at this point in my life than a large salary.

As for the amount you are going to take out in loans, I am sure your loan will be spread over 25 or 30 years. If you take out federal student loans, the terms are much better. I took out a private loan with PNC bank and have a 4.125% rate (it’s adjustable). So, when the economy picks back up and interest rates begin to rise, you know where the extra money will go (right to the principle of this loan). I know 25 years is a long time to pay for the loans, but the way I see it people make car payments for 25 years and don’t have anything to show for it. You will still have a college degree that will continue to work for you.

If you can wait three or four years for a spot, then go for it. I have four friends in my cohort in their fifties. So, I don’t think it is ever too late. Again, it is a personal choice.

Good luck in whatever you decide.

AlynnSN · Apr 30, 2010

I believe that their clinical hours claim must be waaay overstated. You can do the math and see that it just would not be possible in a 2 year program that has to include academic courses also.

I am in an all year round ADN program with a total of 1512 clinical hours total after 2 years. It is very possible. We don't even have school on Fridays.. ever. We have clinical Monday/Tuesday and class Wednesday/Thursday every single week until we graduate. (with the exception of breaks of course) We are in clinical 8 hours a day and in class 8 hours a day.

As to you John, I say that if you want to be a nurse, don't hold back. It's not about the money if it's truly what you want.

noahsmama · Apr 30, 2010

Hi John,

I did a one year ABSN program that cost $50k, and for me, it was well worth it. And it most definitely is possible to fit 530 clinical hours in a two year program! My program had 960 clinical hours crammed into a single 12 month period (24 hours per week for about 40 weeks of our 52 week program).

Personally, I found the clinical hours to be by far the most useful learning experience, and if anything, would have liked a program with even more! Heck, I've met nursing students who do 250 hours for their preceptorship alone! (mine was 120 hours and I felt like I could have used more). The classroom knowledge is useful, but nursing is a very hands-on profession -- the more hands-on experience you can get before you graduate, the better off you'll be once you start your first job. It's hard for me to imagine starting your first job as a brand new nurse with only 180 clinical hours under your belt!

Of course, only you can decide if you want to take on the financial burden of $50k+ in student loans -- it's definitely significant!!! -- but to me, the added clinical hours plus avoiding the 3 year wait make it sound worthwhile. If possible, I would also try to talk to people who have graduated from that particular program to see what they think of it.

Good luck!

nlion87 · Apr 30, 2010

for 52K I hope you would be getting more clinical exposure. My program requires 1350hrs and it is a 18 month program

milobust · Apr 30, 2010

New grads in TX are having a horrible time finding work. I would be very suspicious of their claims of job ops!!

Dragonsmack · Apr 30, 2010

That's another concern...will I be able to attend the actual nursing school part while working full time.. :crying2:

Jules A, MSN · Apr 30, 2010

I wouldn't advocate spending that kind of money for a ADN and what if the "job" they get you is horrible? We got our own jobs and only paid about $8000. Not all CCs operate with waitlists, mine went by grades and entrance exam scores. I'd look for a program you can do around your job even if it takes a bit longer. Good luck.