National University San Diego

prettyinpink57 · Apr 16, 2009

It's pretty insane! It's something like 1278 a class not to mention the stupid nursing fees that get you! Let's put it this way... For the orientation fee and my first class I wrote a check for $3,263. :/ it will be worth it though, we will make that money up so fast once we get out there :)

Shady602 · Apr 17, 2009

how much are the additional fees usually? Im trying to see wheather i can do this out of pocket or not! Thanks for your help!

Shady602 · Apr 17, 2009

I do agree, listen to your heart!! But i was in your shoes i had over 1.5 to wait and i was like hmm let me get something out of the way atleast for 9 months hehe..i got pregnant! My pregnancy was so terrible it was insane!! Now i have a 4 month old child and i have to tell you its alot of WORK!!!! Im sleep deprived, tired and terrified of starting the nursing program in July!! If you can wait , i would wait!! Do also remember that your in an accelerated program . But, i do not regret having my son either. Its going to be very expensive because your going to need to find a full time nanny as well!! Let me know what you decide?

Good Luck!

prettyinpink57 · Apr 18, 2009

They charge you about $250 for each Theory course, and $400 for the Clinical part of the class. So basically, each class that has clinical is about $1278 plus $650 worth of nursing fees. (Coming at about $2,000 a class). :/

SDMamma · Apr 21, 2009

Hi Bubbles!

I am not in the NU program, I am in the 2 year ADN (RN) program at Grossmont College. As a mother of a 4 year old and a 20 month old, I can tell you that Nursing school is difficult, but entirely doable. I also work 24 hours a week as a CNA, and I have come to find out that being successful in this program is all about prioritizing your time. If becoming a Nurse is important to you, you will find a way to make it work. I am not going to lie, you are going to have to dedicate all your free time to school/clinical and many times, family life takes a back seat...but if you have a good support system, anything is possible. That said, if having a family is a priority now, I say go for it. You will know within the first 6 months if you'd like to add school into the equation. Everyone is different, and it is hard to be away from your little ones, especially when they are only infants/toddlers for such a short time. You may not want to miss out on all those precious moments. Anyway, Good luck to you on which ever path you choose.

Tuquies · Apr 21, 2009

Bubbles, I agree with a lot of what everyone is saying, but I really don't think something like starting a family is somethiing you should leave up to your 'heart' having a kid is a big decision that cahnges everything, especially your experience in school. I started at NU just this April, I have a 1 year old, almost 1 1/2 old. Let me tell you..it's NOT easy. I personally have ahunch that SDMamma is super woman! I can't believe all she balances, but for us normal people it's really quite a challenge. Of course it's doable, but I really don't think it is something that is the most practical thing to do when choosing an Accelerated BSN program. Just my opinion, obviously you can tell which way I went on that one! :dncgbby: Haha! My daughter was upset with me for the first week of class, not wanting to be around me much, but now she is comming around, I think it was easier when she was mad though!

About the cost of the program, I talked to financial aid, and you are looking at upwards of $650 a month in nursing fees and around $1250 per quarter unit. Keep in mind this is NOT including your books, materials, and traveling costs (they don't tell you where you are going for clinicals until it's almost time to go there..) I got a loan for $1050 that I thought would last me through this November along with the $2500 I qulified for in financial aid, turns out I have to apply for a private loan of about $4900 to get me through November, then we will go from there. My loans are jsut for tition and nusing fees, the books ect. are comming out of pocket up front. So I am covered with about $15,000 in loans for 8 months of this program. (the program is about 24 months) so suposing tuition doesn't increase, and I keep qualifing for all the financial aid I get I will be about $55,000 in debt or so, gosh, I don't even want to think about what I am gonna end up paying AFTER the intrest is pated back as well! :thnkg: Yeah, I will worry about that when I get there...

Bubbles2610 · Apr 21, 2009

Thank you both for your replies... I'm still torn and don't know what to do... I have the support at home - I'm not worried about that... just worried about failure... but then I know I can do it. You guys are the perfect examples. Yes, it's hard... but you guys are doing pretty good. So, I'm always asking myself : Y not me? lol...

I have not made my decision yet... but I'm leaning towards having a baby... hehe... I'll keep u guys posted...

gnomik79 · Apr 21, 2009

I agree with Tuquies.

Bubbles2610, you need to keep in mind that SDMama is at Grossmont, where semesters are regular length. Ours is an accelerated program - one class a month. So, here's how it was: you start monday, then a week later you have an exam on 16 chapters! That's besides all the side assignments like 11 page health history papers, scholarly paper and various group projects. We started on apr 6, and next week we have 2 finals (lab+theory), and another health paper due, and some quiz.... CRAZY! My overall score in the class right now is 79.6% (not so fabulous - that's despite hours and hours of study), so i'm not doing as good as you think. Passing score is ANY nursing class at NU is 73%. Meanwhile, I have to choose whether I want to work on my Ch. 24 notes, or take my son to the park - and it's hard to make that choice b/c either way someone suffers: my son if I choose to study, or me and my grades if I choose the park. Oh, and please don't hope that your little baby will not remember all the neglect because she's just a baby. The bond you create with your infant child is important and immesurable - you don't want them to be more attached to your in-home babysitter than to you, and perhaps start calling her Mommy. :) Well, maybe I went a little too far, sorry.... I just wanted to give you a piece of MY reality.

I guess I'm not a superwoman either...:)

gnomik79 · Apr 21, 2009

Oh, and I forgot to add: SDMama suggested having a child and then within the first 6 months deciding whether you want to add school to the equation. You can't wait and see, and then be like "well, it's pretty hard having a child - I'd rather go to school instead". Children are "non-refundable"!!! LOL :):):) Sorry, I got carried away... :)

Shady602 · Apr 22, 2009

haha, honestly i agree with gnomik79! Im having a hard time with my 4 month old because he likes to be pushed on the stroller to fall asleep! you dont know what kind of baby youll have, meaning, easy going or difficult! I didnt know what i was getting myself into basically! Im really worried about nursing school! And especially these days its so important to have a good career! Children are non - refundable! Why dont you wait? Or go baby sit someones baby and then think about it!

Shady602 · Apr 22, 2009

I forgot to mention also, i was in your shoes as well! My original major was to be a PA. (Physician Assistant). So, i got interviewed and im like maybe i should have a baby and not wait like 3 months to see whether or not i got accepted. So i got pregnant and then i got my acceptance letter. I thought it would be doable but it wasnt! The school was located in NYC. A Baby CHANGES everything!!! Its still your decision. I didnt know what i was getting myself into!! But i love my little boy!

Bubbles2610 · Apr 22, 2009

Thanks for the advice gnomik79 and shady602...

Sounds like a really crazy schedule... really got me worried! I do understand what you mean gnomik79, I really do... but then Im so torn inside. I don't want to put my family on hold. I've been waiting long enough. Yes, this is a really bad timing... but what can I do? I feel like I will regret not having a child... sorry I don't know what to say... I'm really confused and don't know what to do...

Do you guys work as well?

Thanks again...