Scared of loans

[tanac]

So I was accepted into entry level master program here in California. Pre-licensure portion is 18 months and tuition is $45k. Well with living expenses, I'm looking at having to borrow about $65-70k. Now that it's time to sign on the dotted line and accept the loan I'm getting cold feet. The cost is really making me struggle and I'm now wondering if I should've looked for less expensive schools. Maybe they won't be combo BSN/MSN but they may be cheaper. I'm just not sure what to do. I'd probably have to move out of state in order to pay less. For instance I found a ABSN program in Sioux Falls that costs $20k for tuition. But I'm nervous about getting in! For nurses, that are currently working, do you think the loan repayment I would on a 65k-70k is doable as a nurse?

Thank you! Any insight you can give would be appreciated!

[Libby1987]

The only way I could justify the debt would be..

I was realistically confident i could secure a job, in a competitive market that may he more competitive by the time I graduated.

I was realistically confident I would like and be able to perform the kind of job I could secure, which may either be something I didn't want after failing at my dream job or unable to obtain my dream job.

I was willing to live like a starving student until I paid off the loans, this following being sick and tired of living like a starving student and wanting nice things finally.

[tanac]

Thank you guys for all your responses! It seems like most of the consensus is don't do it and find an alternate way to get to my end goal of BSN then FNP. I talked this over a bit as well with some NPs I know and I was shocked that they all advised I take the loan. I'm not sure if it is a Cali thing or what? They kept saying it would be fine and that getting into nursing school is super competitive and that it wouldn't be wise to just turn down a spot. I do feel I'm lucky to get in as my GPA is good but not great and I'd be really broken hearted if I didn't get into any of the other schools I would apply for... But I would also regret not trying to either...sigh.