Wants to become a Nurse

U.S.A. New York

Published

Hi All,

I live in NYC and I am interested in becoming a Nurse. I have a BA in Communication and a Thesis away from a MA with about 96K in student loans which I'm repaying. I have an okay job which I like and everything is good however it's a dead end and I feel unfulfilled (according to my mom I missed my calling). I am scared to take out any more loans however, I would love to be a nurse (I kick myself for not doing it in college). Anyways I don't know where to start I've been reading and I can tell it's hard work which isn't the issue for me it's just where do I start? Should I start at a 4 yr college or start with LPN? Which school should I go to and how can I pay for it without loans.

Hope I'm not asking too many questions . . . Please help

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Specializes in Critical Care.

Well hate to break it to you but if you are in the city, you will probably need your BSN to get a job...if ur gonna do it might as well just get ur BSN anyways....but remember the job market sucks right now, there are places hiring but there are still alot of new grads who have been waiting months, some even a year or more to get a job...so if you think that nursing is a 'recession proof' field, like much of the other general population then think again....

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This isn't what you want to hear, but with $96K in student loan debt you should give up the idea of being a nurse and just continue at your current job to work on repaying all those loans (which will probably take at least a decade). An LPN makes about $40K, an RN maybe $60K in the NYC area. That's if you're lucky enough to find a job when you graduate. Jobs are scarce and going to nursing school will only add to your debt, if you can even find a company willing to lend more money to somebody already in so much debt (judging by the amount I assume you exhausted your stafford loan limit long ago)

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If you want to be a nurse go for it but only do a BSN program. With your debt you can't afford to be a LPN or have a ADN which could hinder your job prospects. You should also only go to a state or city school because you can't really afford more loans. Most likely no matter what you will be paying back a huge monthly payment for the next 30yrs.

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if the military is an option. go for it! Most military branches will offer loan repayment, then after you served and your loans are paid..go back to school to be a bsn prepared nurse tuition free. (Post 9/11 GIBILL)

Best,

CL

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