Nursing School Debt

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I am about to finish my Computer and Information Technology degree. I will have a bachelors degree. I presently work full time right now and am considering nursing school. The nursing school I am most interested in is Marian University in Indianapolis. Marian has an accelerated program which is very good. The downside with my going back to be a nurse is I would have 80k approximately in student loan debt. I would think this is a lot, is this affordable living on a registered nurse salary? Is 80k to much debt to accrue to go back to nursing school?

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Specializes in Critical Care, Education.

Have you investigated less expensive programs? That amount of debt is very daunting & could have long-term consequences in terms of your credit worthiness, so it will affect all areas of your life. In most states, student loan default is not an option for nurses (or other licensed professionals), because this status will prevent you from renewing your professional license.

It may be a good idea to work in IT for a while you improve your financial status and save money for nursing school. After all, tech fields pay more than nursing for new grads. Nursing is well known for a flat career trajectory, with salary compression & few promotion opportunities (without advanced education).

My $0.02? If your goal is to become a nurse, go ahead and work in IT while you finish any remaining pre-requisites & look around for a less expensive program. That IT experience will add value to your nursing career, because it will qualify you for Informatics-related jobs which have much better career prospects than staff nursing.

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Thank you for replying! You make some very good points and have helped me. I have wondered if 80k was a lot of debt. I have looked into going back to WGU Nursing School. How is WGU nursing school compared to a state university?

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80k is a *lot*. My whole school experience is going to cost $30k, and that's for a BSN. I'd definitely look into other programs.

Good luck!

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I am just curious to, I have also looked into going to Excelsior University. How is Excelsior University? I have heard good and bad reviews about Excelsior.

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I am just curious to, I have also looked into going to Excelsior University. How is Excelsior University? I have heard good and bad reviews about Excelsior.

IMO you want to stay far away from for-profit schools. Look into state schools.

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Specializes in GENERAL.

I will cut to the chase. 80K in student loan debt will ruin your life. Lets say you go to nursing school and come out with 80k in loans at 3.4%. Do the math. You'll be a humping nurse not a brain surgeon. Paying off this loan will act as a tax over and above what you're already payingon your wages. You might as well work at Taco Bell and forget nursing school because either way with loans you'll be netting the same poverry wages.Figure out a different way. Yes, work in IT.No infectious disease and no kissing your young life goodbye to debt peonage.

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Specializes in GENERAL.

I will cut to the chase. 80K in student loan debt will ruin your life. Lets say you go to nursing school and come out with 80k in loans at 3.4%. Do the math. You'll be a humping nurse not a brain surgeon. Paying off this loan will act as a tax over and above what you're already payingon your wages. You might as well work at Taco Bell and forget nursing school because either way with loans you'll be netting the same poverry wages.Figure out a different way. Yes, work in IT.No infectious disease and no kissing your young life goodbye to debt peonage.

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