RN's, how much did you borrow for school?

linearthinker, DNP, RN · Apr 28, 2011

Full scholarship for ADN, full scholarship for BSN, partial scholarship for MSN with total out of pocket expenses about 30K. Never borrowed any money. DNP in progress, partial scholarship, and I think it will cost about another 30K. In total I will have spent 60K for everyting through doctorate. My husband has paid for it all, which may have been stupid since so many NP jobs have tuition reimbursement. Oh well.

flyingchange · Apr 28, 2011

Probably about 20-30k altogether. I work like crazy to cover my expenses so the loans are strictly for tuition and books.

morte, LPN, LVN · Apr 28, 2011

$0....but that was a diploma program.....

Spikey9001, BSN, RN · Apr 28, 2011

I'll probably have about $15k in loans when I graduate from my ADN program.

I am trying to find a job or that will offer tuition reimbursement but good luck with that lol. I found this scholarship that will offer to pay for it, but I have to commit to work to one of THEIR facilities for two years. The catch 22 with that is that I may not be awarded any money because I'm technically part time (they award based on full time enrollment and an EFC of zero... so I HOPE that the financial aid office at my school doesn't **** me over), but you all know nursing school ain't part time.

Hopefully, no extenuating circumstances come up and force me out of school, cause then imma be stuck with loans that I can't repay back. And I only took out these loans cause the school ****ed me over really hard last year so I couldn't get ANY financial aid... without it, I wouldn't be able to go to school.

God, it's great growing up poor and in poverty!

RockinChick66 · Apr 28, 2011

Nothing! I was able to pay cash for my tuition as I went along.

Vanillanut, DNP, RN, APRN · Apr 28, 2011

I have a BSN that I borrowed approx $33,000 for.

I worked on average 30 hrs/week as a care aid (19$/hr) throughout my entire degree.

It was *hard* but the city I lived in had a really high cost of living.

It irritates me when the assumption is made that people have the option to either cruise through on loans, or buckle down and work. Sometimes, you have no choice but to do both, and you still end up in debt. I'm on my way to paying it off quickly though.

SunSurfRN · Apr 28, 2011

always cracks me up when someone says "oh that person who spent 70K to go to Accelerated BSN is crazy"

Yet ADN is 2 yrs, usually lottery or LONG waitlist these days. Lets say it takes 3-6 yrs to complete with waitlist....all those years the BSN with the hefty degree is earning money and your not. Consider that for us "crazy" people.

blue heeler · Apr 28, 2011

way too much

tokyoROSE, BSN, RN · Apr 28, 2011

I graduate with my BSN in December, will have no debt, I actually will have over 1k from scholarship money after tuition and fees. Very excited about being able to use that to cover NCLEX fees, scrubs, shoes, supplies, etc without dipping into savings. I worked all four years, had scholarships, and my parents to thank for having no debt.

pyroandbozzt · Apr 28, 2011

$0, Post 9/11 GI Bill.

Benedina · Apr 29, 2011

I'm finishing up the second semester of my BSN; this is my third degree. No debt: I paid out of pocket for my prereqs, and I'm using a combination of savings and part-time work to pay for this very reasonably priced state university program. (No car loan, no credit card debts either, and an almost-paid up inexpensive mortgage. I just don't *like* debt.)

I'm mostly chiming in to say that a BSN doesn't have to cost an arm and a leg.

And also to say good luck to all of us, no matter what financial and educational choices we've made. Different strokes and all that.

Dina

joanna73, BSN, RN · Apr 29, 2011

As a couple of people mentioned, sometimes you have no choice but to work AND have debt. I lived on my own during my 4 years of nursing school, so I worked and had loans, No choice. Also, unlike the US, Canada does not have many fast track programs. You go to school for 4 years to be an RN. However, it was worth it.