Let's play a little game...

sadsaddy29 · May 29, 2006

I think I have the topper...I'm still in school but my IN LAWS are paying for it all. Best family to marry into ever! Both of their fathers were university professors and education had always been #1 on their list so they INSISTED! Although...I think I'll be forever in their debt, lol. I've told them that they and all their friends get unlimited medical consults for life.

medsurgnurse, RN · May 29, 2006

After the ADN and then BSN about $40,000 in student loan debt. during MSN now over $55,000. I didn't take out loans for more than I needed just to help with tuition and living expenses.

Indy, LPN, LVN · May 29, 2006

No debt, very little out of pocket, thanks to hope scholarship, pell grant, WIA, food stamps, etc.

kiwitraveller · May 30, 2006

even better - i trained in uk in early 90's - and they paid us GBP8000 per year to be student nurses - mind you we DID have to take a full caseload - the RN got the 'acute' side of the floor and the student got the other half of the patients as their caseload...

anne74 · May 30, 2006

Good Lord - I just finished an Accelerated BSN program (18 months) and I'm in debt $57,000 for tuition and living expenses. (I'm single so no shared living expensives, darnit!) I had to go to an accelerated school out-of-state, because the state I lived in (Illinois) doesn't have a state school with an accelerated program - only 2 private universities did, which were just as expensive as paying out-of-state. I looked into getting an associates degree, but they all had long waiting lists, and it would have taken me longer to get an associate's degree than it would to get a BSN! (Like years longer!)

In my first career in advertising/PR, I was laid off for over a year and made very little money even when I was employed (advertising/PR is a very volatile field - when the economy tanks it's the first thing cut!) Since I already had a bachelor's degree, I wasn't eligible for any grants. I applied for over 30 scholarships and got nothing - despite my 3.8/4.0 GPA, and a huge financial need (the year before I started nursing school, I made only $7,000 in unemployment money.) I have a job now, but my school loans are KILLING me. I pay about $400 a month, which is a car payment! I CRY writing the check each month. I was under the impression that we had a nursing shortage, but I certainly didn't get any help for changing my career to be a nurse. So those of you who had school paid for, realize how lucky you are -it's like having $400 extra each month! I am open to donations from anyone! Help a nurse out!

elthia · May 30, 2006

$12,000 in student loans...I also recieved scholarships. Unfortunately I did not recieve HUD or food stamps. The school I went to did not have dorms...they had university apartments where 4 students shared an apartment, each paid rent separately. I could not abide the thought of living in what was known as "party central." So I waited tables, worked in nursing homes, then worked as a nurse tech, and made each $$ from the student loans count. I also requested gift cards to grocery stores for holiday/birthday gifts. I ate a LOT of rice, and whatever was the cheapest fish that week. My last semester I had to give up the apt and go live with family. I gained soooo much weight from the fully loaded fridge at my siblings.:roll :roll

lovemyjob · Jun 5, 2006

I am right proud of my 12,000 dollar debt after 4 years for a BSN!! Considering between school costs and living expenses I spent 15000 a year!!! Thank you hard earned scholarships and wonderful poor people grants and cashiering at BILO, externing in the womens center, working in the concession stand, handingout basketballs at the school gym and life-gaurding!!!!!

Jaguar Boy · Jan 15, 2008

well you all are making me feel better...I'm plannning on returning to school to get my rn in a compressed / accelerated program. I've budgeted about $50,000 overall for 2 years...thank god I've been a crazy money saver and my only dependant is a cat. Hopefully, I won't have debt, but my savings will be pretty much wiped out - oh well. What's money for if it doesn't get you what you want, right?

DutchgirlRN, ASN, RN · Jan 15, 2008

My LPN program in 1975 cost my parents $125 plus books $75 Grand Total $200 for my LPN program.

My RN progam cost me $9,800. I was 46 yrs old, the day I graduated my parents handed me a check for $10,000! They said "no matter how old you are we feel we should pay for your education". I paid for school as I went along so I had no loan. I ended up making $200 on that deal. Sweet!

LPN Program $200

RN Program -$200

Total: 0

Free Education......Priceless.

Thanks Mom & Dad!