is nursing really worth the debt

Nursing Students Pre-Nursing

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Hello everyone,

I would really love to be a nurse. But, because I made a c in both human anatomy 1 and 2. I have been denied acceptance to my local community colleges. I am now forced to turn to private nursing college which have higher tuition. The two schools that I am looking into are keiser college which is now accredited and jersey college. Keiser college only offers an adn which cost 38,000. Which does not include any books , uniforms. This amount only includes the tuition and nothing more. if I choose to attend this program I would be in a lot of debt. When I already owe 9,000 in loans from a previous college.

Or i can attend jersey college, which offers a lpn program . This program will cost me 15,000. I will probably average about 6,000- 8,000 more in debt. Later I can attend the local community college bridge program which my financial will be able to cover . So my lpn-rn program will be free. I will just have to pay back the loans I have already accumulated.

The reason I want to attend keiser college, everyone says lpn are being phased out. I have spoken to several lpn who tell me to go straight to becoming a rn. I do not want to accumulate too much debt an I will only receive my adn. The reason I want to attend jersey college, I will have less debt. I can work while attending the bridge program. Where I live lpn can only work in long term faculties. I do not really want to work in long term facilities. I want to work in a hospital.

Finally, my question is : For the nurses who accumulated debit from loans while in nursing school. Was it really worth it to become a nurse in the end? Is your debit manageable?

PLEASE ONLY RESPONSE IF HAVE DEBIT. PLEASE DO NOT RESPONE STATING THAT UOUR EDUCATION WAS FREE.

Specializes in ICU.

You can get a BSN cheaper than that Keiser ADN program you listed. Mine was around 20k at a public university where I got in-state tuition. You need to shop around more instead of just thinking about those two options, IMO. If it takes re-taking those classes so you have more options and cheaper options, that's what you need to do.

Specializes in Neuro ICU/Trauma/Emergency.

You should consider retaking the courses. I believe you will find yourself using more of that debit to pay off that debt if you go with schools that are willing to take the unwanted crop. Most of these schools will pump out of school with just as much knowledge as your entered the program with. If you are making C's in A&P, it's highly likely you aren't prepared to start a nursing course. You could consider the LPN route, but you would still be required to retake those A&P courses, and your LPN position is not guaranteed.

I would sacrifice the summer & freshen up on my reading comprehension & study skills.

Specializes in CWON - Certified Wound and Ostomy Nurse.

Retake the classes and get a tutor if you need one. Join a study group. If you got C's you can improve those grades. You've already had the classes so you have a good idea of what the tests are already like. Incidentally, I don't think nursing school classes were much harder than A&P, honestly. As far as the other schools you were looking at....I wouldn't pay that much money for school if I wasn't getting a BSN.

Specializes in OB-Gyn/Primary Care/Ambulatory Leadership.
Incidentally, I don't think nursing school classes were much harder than A&P, honestly.

Totally agree. I found the core nursing courses to be a lot more busy work and hoops to jump through, but definitely not harder.

Specializes in Ambulatory Surgery, Ophthalmology, Tele.
Totally agree. I found the core nursing courses to be a lot more busy work and hoops to jump through, but definitely not harder.

I always think back to med-surg 2 when we lost about 20% of our class.

I had a 3.84 GPA when I started the program and ended with a 3.5. I was trying very hard to get all As. I would agree that physio was just as hard as nursing school. Anatomy not so much but close.

Specializes in Med/Surg, Ortho, ASC.
I incurred debt (not debit) to go to nursing school and it was worth it. Although it took awhile, I ended up with a very good job at a good employer and pulled down about $190,000 last year.

Nursing school permitted me to avoid relocating my family, forcing my wife to give up her tenure, dropping my kid into a new school, and losing my house.

I don't love nursing by any means but it can be a solid job in these parts.

Not sure this post is accurate. Even if it is, it's unrealistic to expect the same for yourself.

And while I'm disregarding your very-strict posting instruction, I will remind you that you can indeed obtain a nursing education without incurring large debts.

Specializes in Anesthesia, ICU, PCU.

I don't get why nursing schools demand such high GPAs. I've run into many nurses who don't seem particularly bright or professional for me to believe that high GPA makes a good nurse. I legitimately wonder what classes some of these people took to pull 3.7+ GPAs and if that number matters at all.

Specializes in Neuro ICU/Trauma/Emergency.
I incurred debt (not debit) to go to nursing school and it was worth it. Although it took awhile, I ended up with a very good job at a good employer and pulled down about $190,000 last year.

Nursing school permitted me to avoid relocating my family, forcing my wife to give up her tenure, dropping my kid into a new school, and losing my house.

I don't love nursing by any means but it can be a solid job in these parts.

You obviously work 2 to 3 jobs 160hrs a week. I have been on both sides of the nursing field, and find it hard to believe any nurse is making $109 an hour in any part of the country. But, that's just me being pessimistic...(realistic in my book)

Specializes in Med/surg, Tele, educator, FNP.

I have 65000 in debt From LVN, ADN,BSN and MSN NP. The debt is manageable because I make enough to pay the loan and still have money left over. I had to move around and not stay where I was as a new grad to get a higher rate of pay. I also went per diem. I worked OT and did a lot to get where I am at. Yes, to me I believe the debt was worth it. Yes I love my jobs.

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I have tried retaking my human anatomy 1 and 2. I was told because I passed both classes with a c. Which is a passing grade. I will have to pay out of state fees to retake these two courses. Which will be:(373 x 4= about 1,000 per course). I can not afford this at this time. This why private school are my options. The reason I did not pass these two classes. Was due to the fact I was not focused at all and I didnt attend these classes much. I know stupid right, I was young and was not as focused on school as I should have been. Now i have to pay for my poor choice. Thank you everyone for responses

Lol im sorry everyone for the misspellings

Specializes in Ambulatory Surgery, Ophthalmology, Tele.
You obviously work 2 to 3 jobs 160hrs a week. I have been on both sides of the nursing field, and find it hard to believe any nurse is making $109 an hour in any part of the country. But, that's just me being pessimistic...(realistic in my book)

I knew a seasoned nurse (male and single) that would work 10 days straight at times. He always worked extra days between his regular floor and it's sister unit. So let's be conservative and say he worked 5 days a week. That is 3120 hours a year. If he made $60/hour that would be $187K (gross-without taxes). If he worked without benefits (my friend received $5 extra/hour for no benefits) and worked somewhere for some time and made a good hourly wage this could actually happen, as crazy at it seems.

A few years back, I had one day where my gross pay was $1000 for the day. I was making $39/hour. It was a holiday (at time and a half), I also worked an extra 4 hours over (double time). Plus it was an added shift so there was a $100 bonus for that. Yep, I went exempt on that check. I think that was when our fridge went out. Doesn't something always happen when you get a little extra money? :rolleyes:

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