Nursing Informatics to CRNA

[TheBerriGirl]

So I am in a crappy situation. I graduated from nursing school with my BSN in May of 2015. I am a new nurse working in the Medical ICU. I moved 3 states away from my home state and my family for this job because I plan to go to CRNA school once I get my two years of ICU experience. That being said, student loans have kicked in for repayment and most of them are from private lenders. My student Lon payments monthly are about $800 a month on top of rent and everything else I need to pay for. So I want to return to school to get my MSN in Nursing Informatics in order to defer my student loans. In the time it will take me to get my two years of experience I will also earn my masters in nursing informatics and then I would like to go to CRNA school for a dual program to get my masters and DNP. I've noticed that some CRNAs move forward and get there phD in nursing informatics. Anyone have any advice for me on whether this is a good idea or not. I'm doing informatics solely so I can defer my student loan payments because my true passion is CRNA. But informatics will benefit me as well. Thanks!

[ED Nurse, RN]

Isn't there a debt ceiling with student loans anyways? It would be pretty awful to cap yourself out trying to stave off your current payments, only to find you've screwed yourself out of CRNA school down the road.

Why don't you contact your student loan providers and try to get on an income based repayment plan? That should lower the monthly payment and give you some breathing room without adding more debt to the pile.

There is no debt ceiling- you can rack up all the student loans you can, but they WILL get their money regardless of what happens to you; you cannot file bankruptcy or even due to get rid of student loans.

[NurseIndependa]

This sounds like an awful plan. Specifically because CRNA school sounds like it is in the distant future.

[Bumex, DNP, NP]

Education for the sake of education is fiscally irresponsible, especially since you plan on not using that degree. My student loan payments are over a grand a month from getting my MSN in education (now in NP school). My plan was to have both to teach and practice as an NP. It was a bad decision, since I could've taught without the first MSN. Of course, I've better educated myself for that spot, but I probably could've been an effective educator without the education.

[ThePrincessBride, MSN, RN, NP]

OP, please re-read what you have posted. You are trying to avoid student loans by taking out more student loans for a degree you have no intention of using...am I right? And don't forget your CRNA loans...that is going to add another 50k+ to your bill.

Don't do it! Just do what so many other nurses and hourly workers do...pick up more shifts!

[StillRN]

Pixie.RN,

How long did it take you to get the MSN in informatics degree? did you do it online? Do you recommend a school. Did you like the schooling? Do you think you will be able to get a job in nursing infrmatics? im not sure what the job projection for that position is.. lbut I've heard it is growing. Do you think you will enjoy the work away from bedside nursing?

Sorry for all of th questions... but its something i've been considereing.

thanks.

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

I definitely concur with the majority of the responses that have been received up to this point in time...pay down that student loan debt before jumping into your next educational venture. Good luck to you!

[Lunah, MSN, RN]

Pixie.RN,

How long did it take you to get the MSN in informatics degree? did you do it online? Do you recommend a school. Did you like the schooling? Do you think you will be able to get a job in nursing infrmatics? im not sure what the job projection for that position is.. lbut I've heard it is growing. Do you think you will enjoy the work away from bedside nursing?

About 3 years. Yes, with a capstone project in person. There are many good programs out there, find an accredited one that appeals to you. Yes. Yes, if I choose. Maybe.