2 part question: How do you pay for nursing school?/Testing to be a nurse?

[WCSU1987]

I am signed up for my first prerequisite and should be finished by the end of next year. I talked to both an ASN and BSN program school's financial aid office. Went over my information and how much I be eligible for FASFA. Both said I be eligible for about $5K to $8K a year in aid. In addition, my work upped tuition reimbursement to $3K a year.

The ASN I probably need to take out a $15K loan they said gave me a few options for loans with different rates. One was 18% another 21%. The BSN school said about $20K to $25K loan.

Probably have to pay about $4K out of pocket a year it stinks. Anyways what do you think be the best option?

Both ADN and BSN make same amount of money. Just curious if making $50K would be enough to pay a $25K loan off would I be burying myself.

Appreciate the feedback.

Second question so I am worried about doing the BSN having all this cash to owe back and not become a nurse. I heard the NCLEX is in a similar format to the EMT written exam. I failed 3 times and had to do the exam finally by Scranton. I am terrible at taking exams on a computer that are timed and can't go back to the answer.

Any advice?

[LV3677]

As long as you know how to manage your money, paying back loans is not that difficult. If you get the ASN, remember that you'll probably end up spending another 10k to get your BSN. I'd just one and done it, but that's me.

As far as the NCLEX...there is no going back to previous questions. Everything is on the computer. My nursing school also did this with tests; on the computer, once you selected an answer, that was it. I do not know if all nursing schools are like that.

To pass the NCLEX, you're going to have to learn to take tests where you cannot go back because there is no option to take the NCLEX by scantron.

[Jules A, MSN]

Consider waiting until you can save some money to use toward tuition before you start school and continue working during school to reduce debt.

[direw0lf, BSN]

Have you checked all schools? The private university I go to gives me more financial aid than public universities would. It also awards more scholarship money.

[windsurfer8, BSN, RN]

The NCLEX is a timed test on a computer. If you are unable to complete the NCLEX with the required score than you cannot be an RN. Doing things you are ""not good at" will be required in nursing. Some people are better at IV insertion. Some are better at this...some at that. It makes no difference. You are required to be able to competently perform as an RN.