Nurses with student loans, please take the time to help me make a life decision?

[kannacastro24]

I am currently 23 years old, have worked so hard to get into nursing school. I was a full time student at SFSU, taking community colleges at the same time just to get classes, and even enrolled into to state schools to boost my eligibility in getting into a Spring program. I am graduating this upcoming May in CFS: Nutrition. I choose this major because all the work I did in order to get into the BSN programs wasn't working and I wanted to get out as fast as possible to apply to ASBN (accelerated programs) but I'm not getting into any state programs a so far.

I'm already at 900 a month payment after undergrad, I'm trying to evaluate the reality of taking out another 67K to afford the accelerated programs I have gotten into or to do an Associate degree program, or try and wait for a state program.

I ultimately have to be a nurse, especially as the degree I have, isn't financially stable in terms of the career aspect even to cover where I am at now. I need some realistic help from any fellow people. I understand that this is very personal questions, but I am agonizing over this problem and going absolutely crazy!

I am also not eligible for IBR's or help with lowering payments because I have private loans unfortunately. I can't eat or sleep. I need to make a decision and have a plan. Any advice, maybe with having student loans and working as a nurse?

[CrunchRN, ADN, RN]

67 k is insane and on top of what you already owe? No way. You will never be able to afford that payment once combined even with a good nursing job,. I would go the ADN route and not take out any loans and work my way through. Then maybe work on the BSN once you have paid some of your current debt off.

[WinterSoldier]

With that degree can't you do a year-long dietetic internship and ultimately become a Registered Dietician? They make decent money and the job market is probably better than nursing.

If you are dead set on becoming a nurse keep trying for admission to community college or a traditional BSN program through a state school. ABSN and DEMSN programs are expensive and you are not guaranteed a job as an RN when you graduate. Getting through a program more quickly is not worth a crazy amount of debt--especially if your current student debt is in private loans.

[WinterSoldier]

PS You are still very young. You have another 40+ years of working ahead of you so don't be in such a rush. Take your time to figure things out and be smart with your finances. A friend of mine from college was a nutrition major and is now a certified weightloss counselor for Medifast and she loves her job. You have options with your degree. Entry-level pay may not be stellar, but it's better than no pay at all.

[RunBabyRN]

I would say to go the ADN route. 67K is astronomical! Don't add to your stress- $900/mo in payments is already a ton. Don't make it worse, especially by that much. There are SO many ADN programs in the Bay Area (I'm at SSU, so I know the area well). Cast a wide net, and see what happens. Are your grades competitive enough to get into a CSU? If so, apply to a variety of programs if you can. They all have different things that they look at, and with SJSU, CSUEB, SSU, SFSU, etc all with BSN programs in the area, you have options (even more if you can move elsewhere). See what you are able to do as a second bacc student, too- some programs aren't accepting second bacc students, so by doing nutrition just to do "something," you may actually have set yourself back some. I know SSU accepts second bacc students, and you have to apply to the program THEN apply to the university if you go that route.

I know dietetic internships are hard to come by, but do what you can. Even some tutoring can help pay the bills in the meantime.

[JustBeachyNurse, LPN]

Nursing may not be as financially lucrative as you think. There are new grads searching for months for their first nursing job....some areas of the country have a 47% unemployment rate for new grad RNs. $67K in private student loans is A LOT of money on top of the $900/month you are already obligated to

Consider earning your RD credential. Consider an ASN program or even a direct entry MSN (though some facilities are hesitant to hire DE MSNs)

[llg, PhD, RN]

I agree with those who recommend finding a way to earn a living with the nutrition credential -- at least until you can get your current student loan paid down. To take on more debt now would be foolish.

Experts recommend that you total amount of student loan debt should not be more than the income you expect to earn in the first year of employment as a new graduate. Take that advice to heart -- and make the most of the credential you already have. If you want to become a nurse later, that opportunity will be there AFTER you get your finances in order.

[windsurfer8, BSN, RN]

I would also say…look to MOVE. Places like North Dakota, Wyoming etc..have a need for nurses and also the cost of living much lower. It seems you may have to take a long look at your decisions and come up with a budget. Good luck!