Jfulton006

I appreciate all the comments and thoughts and I apologize for my delayed response. I will graduate with my ASN in December of this year. My last nursing class will start next week. I live in New York and the cost of living here is higher compared to most places in the US. My perception of monetary value is probably different from most of you for that reason. Entry-level RN jobs in my area typically pay around $25/hour, higher or lower depending on the agency. I aspire to become an ER nurse, and the agency I have my sights on offers $28/hour to graduate nurses. I feel my income expectations are realistic because this is what's advertised by nursing recruiters in my area. The College that I am currently enrolled in is extremely competitive. Before I could apply to the nursing program, I needed to complete all the pre-requisite classes first. It took me about 5 semesters to complete all the pre-requisite classes, and then after that, the nursing program itself lasts 4 semesters. I also took a semester off of school for personal reasons. Overall, it will take me 5 years from start to finish and this entire time my loans have been accumulating interest because most are unsubsidized federal loans. I actually borrowed a lot less than $65,000, but that is the amount I will have to repay because accumulated interest is combined with the principle. I obviously understand and agree with the notion that it is better to complete school with minimal debt, but I can't really see any other way I could have gone to school otherwise, considering my personal circumstances. I am not 18 years old, actually closer to 30 with a wife and a young child. I admit to not having everything figured out when I first applied to school, but then again, who really does? I played the cards I was dealt with and this is the end result. I think that overall, my decision to go to school will benefit me in the long run. The debt is just another obstacle to tackle. I only need a realistic plan to get there.

Working additional jobs and going to great lengths to cut cost weren't part of my envisioned post-graduate lifestyle. When I made the decision to go to school, I had the perception I would have extra money. I would save for a down payment on a house, I'd be able to go on vacation, go to nice restaurants once in a while, etc.. The reality is, I'll be just as broke as I've always been, but in a worse situation considering the potential consequences of default. There has to be a better way...

Hi everyone. This is my first post here. I'm going to graduate in December of this year and I'll be taking my state boards shortly after. The light at the end of the tunnel is getting brighter! The time is fast approaching when I'll have to face the real world. One of my concerns is managing my student debt. I will be graduating with my ASN, and my student loans will be approximately $65,000. I anticipate my first RN job will pay around $28/hour, and my student loan payment will be about $750/month for the foreseeable future. Even though my income will be higher than any job I've ever had, I won't be making much more than my previous profession when factoring in my monthly payments. It's frustrating because despite all the sacrifices I've made for nursing school, my income will only go up by a small amount. I was under the false impression that be becoming a RN would dramatically improve my quality of life. My question is this. Has anyone found a way to effectively manage their student loans without being forced to make massive payments each month? Where can I turn to for relief? -JF