Should I go or not? Opinons please...

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I think this is going to end up as a very long post (more like essay!) because I have so many concerns and anxieties floating around.

About a month ago I got accepted into the Samuel Merritt University Direct Entry MSN-FNP program. At the time I was happy because I really wanted to go into the direct FNP tract. However, I’ve been browsing these forums like crazy since then and have noticed that a huge portion of new grads can’t find work. Samuel Merritt tuition is roughly 110K without factoring in cost of books, rent, food and etc. The thought of spending so much money for an education that might not even yield me a job is scary. Additionally, other threads I’ve searched have advised against incurring debt as best as one can. So I just don’t know what I should do.

A little background about me and why I want to do FNP. I got my undergrad degree in psychology and was originally thinking about getting a psych.D at the time I declared my major. Luckily I didn’t incur too much debt because I went to a Public university after transferring from a community college. After graduating, I worked as a counselor in a housing facility for emotionally disturbed kids. It was a population that I wanted to work with and a field related to my degree. It was a great experience for me (well not emotionally I almost went mad myself!) cause I was exposed to kids with the worst kinds of upbringing. These kids had all sorts of mental and physical diseases.

However, I was unsatisfied with the exposure it gave me on the mental health industry and the work of therapists and psychologists in general – I just didn’t feel like I could be making a difference being one. The experience made me want to be an FNP in hopes of educating patients and providing family care in hopes to prevent physical and mental illnesses from starting in the first place.

So why did I choose Samuel Merritt? I figured I should just go directly for an MSN FNP since I already have a bachelors…although I have also started reading here about negative stigmas direct entry programs have. I live in the California bay area and want to stay as close as I can here so my only options for direct FNP-MSNs are UCSF and SMU. Even tho both programs are highly competitive, SMU seems more reachable to me than UCSF (I haven’t taken my GREs yet either). Additionally, I finished most of my pre-reqs in the spring and began my application in the spring which is for their sacramento campus and not their Oakland campus…so I didn’t get into the campus that I wanted either.

I have no doubt that a career as an FNP would be great for me, but now I am scared of the tuition coming back to haunt me in the future. The 110K tuition wouldn’t be as bad if I had gotten into the Oakland campus because I could save money on rent by living at home. However, I don’t know if I should forfeit my spot at the sacramento campus for the Oakland one. Cause if I don’t get in…that’s more time I’ll be losing. I just turned 24 and I’m already feeling really old and behind. I dunno, I guess maybe I just need to hear people’s opinions on what I should do.

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Hey,

About time slipping by.... I'm 44 and finishing an accelerated BSN program at Duke in Durham, NC. I already had whole 'nother career; successful, enjoyable, and totally NOT in health care! Go where your heart and mind direct you; the money is important but not nearly as important as what really gets you jazzed.

Time passes regardless of what you do or don't do; make the most of what you're able to do. The debt is "good debt" like a mortgage and will increase your creditworthiness if you pay it faithfully and completely. It won't bite you unless you ignore it. Pay more than than the minimum (that's just my own dislike of being in debt, you can set up any amount to be paid automatically).

The journey will be murky at times but in the end you will do more good for mankind than many ever dream of doing. Okay, that's totally cheesy but it rings true for those of us who are driven to enter this crazy and mostly rewarding profession...!

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One thing you also need to remember after this is that you probably won't graduate for several years! No one knows where the economy will be at that time. So really, it's your choice - in three years the economy may be desperately needing nurse practitioners and you'll have hospitals throwing themselves at your feet. Or maybe it won't be. It's up to you to decide if it's worth it.

Good luck!

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Thanks for the response guys. lol I know 24 ain't that old yet but I haven't started on a real career yet compared to older people going into nursing by changing careers. Gawd I'm so confused still. A lot of it has to do with the carcity mentality. I'm scared that if I don't accept this position (which I applied for during the spring) I migh tnot get into my fall admits as well

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Just wanted to be another to say, "You're not old." I understand the feeling though. I'm 28, nowhere near where I thought I'd be by my age. I feel really old and like I've missed some crucial part of life or something...LOL. I can't really explain it, but I understand. I also have not started a career yet, so I'm hoping nursing will be it for me.

I think if it were me, I'd wait to reapply to the closer campus. In the meantime, maybe you could get some experience as a CNA? I know that NP and CNA are not the same (or probably even close), but it's just a thought.

Good luck whatever you decide.

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I am a 60 year old CNA trying to enter LPN school

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With the direct entry program, do you get your RN prior to graduating with your FNP? IF so, then you could maybe work part time as an RN while finishing up and then that way you will at least have RN experience to add on your resume. This might make it easier to get employed after you graduate.

Regardless, I say go for it because you will have a good earning potential once done. You may have a bit more difficulty finding a job out of a direct entry program, but really, it's not like you'd be unemployed for the rest of your life:chuckle. Something will come along and when it does, you'll be happy just to finally be done!!!!!

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I understand the feeling of things passing you by or that you're not on a "life path" yet. I'm also in the Bay Area and know the fever and fervor of trying to get into a nursing program, any program. When I decided to start on my path towards nursing school I was 29; when I graduate from my program I will be 35.

I made a conscious decision to delay achieving my goal due to money. I was accepted in the Advanced Master's program at USF but ultimately turned them down due to the cost of the program. I've already paid off student loans once and want to avoid doing it again. The cost of the USF program would have ended up being around $80K. I can't even begin to fathom paying that amount back in a reasonable amount of time while still actually having a life. I am now in a BSN program at a CSU. That extra year I decided to wait allowed me to save up money for school. I should be able to get through my entire program accrue less than $8000 in loans, all of the subsidized. While I'm not coming out with a MSN I will be able to work as an RN and eventually go back for my Masters. I may even be able to get some employer compensation towards that degree but even if I can't, I can at least work and earn while I'm doing it. I too would like to be an NP but had to admit that I needed to take a different path than the direct one!

I suggest really looking at your options and your needs. Also, check out a loan repayment calculator like this one: http://www.finaid.org/calculators/loanpayments.phtml. It will give you an idea of what kind of salary you'll need to start repaying your loan. Also remember that unsubsidized loans will start accruing interest from the date of disbursement while you're in school. So you'll be accruing interest during school - that can add up. And I think your concerns about jobs and the economy are well founded. Do you know how much career/job placement help Samuel Merritt gives their students? The Bay Area, and a lot of California, seem to be pretty tough on new grads in terms of finding employment. There are so many schools dumping out so many graduates that the market is flooded.

You've got a tough decision to make. I don't want it to seem like I'm being a negative nellie but I'm a proponent of being a realist. When I first started thinking about nursing I was bound & determined to do an Advanced Entry Masters program. The universe threw up some obstacles and gave me some different options and in the end I decided to change my path. I'm completely happy with my program (as happy as you can be when your life is taken over by school!) and satisfied that I won't be saddled with a mountain of debt at the end.

I wish you luck in making your decision. Listen to your heart, your gut & your brain. It's a triad that will give you your answer!

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Regardless, I say go for it because you will have a good earning potential once done. You may have a bit more difficulty finding a job out of a direct entry program, but really, it's not like you'd be unemployed for the rest of your life:chuckle. Something will come along and when it does, you'll be happy just to finally be done!!!!!

Thanks for the response. Yea that's true...The cost is just mind boggling 110K for 3.5 years and that doesn't include Rent or books. I only hope that if I do go I will be able to pay it off relatively quickly...I do get an RN after the first year tho...although it's just a generic RN with no degree attached to it.

I understand the feeling of things passing you by or that you're not on a "life path" yet. I'm also in the Bay Area and know the fever and fervor of trying to get into a nursing program, any program. When I decided to start on my path towards nursing school I was 29; when I graduate from my program I will be 35.

Ah a bay area native! YES! THAT FEVER AND FERVOR IS WHAT'S CAUSING ME STRESS! I'm afraid if I don't get into this program I might not get into another one!

Crazy Frames I do not think you are being a negative nellie at all. Many people think I am crazy for even considering pulling out, but 110K+RENT+BOOKS = MASSIVE DEBT and I'm scared of that. However, I'm also scared of not getting into another program. Sigh I am still very confused! Is ompetition for Bay Area schools still crazyyyyy competative? Sigh...:confused::confused::confused::confused::confused::confused::confused:

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I so struggled with that fear when I turned down the position at USF. But as many pointed out to me, if I got into that program I would get into another one! I knew that logically they were correct but it didn't help allay my fears at all. Eventually, for me, the fear of paying back that much money overwhelmed the fear of not getting in to another program. I did have to detour in my plans, but if I've learned one thing in nursing school it's that you've GOT to be flexible and learn to roll with the punches. If you can't do that you won't make it in school, I can promise you that! :)

I will tell you that even though I saved & planned for school, it's ending up costing more than I had anticipated. Books, uniforms, food/snacks while studying at cafes, transportation & commuting costs, "suggested" books, nursing gear & paraphernalia and other things you just don't think of until you're paying for them. They all add up.

Whatever decision you make will be the right one for you at that time, just don't let fear be your motivating factor.

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Hello all,

I am struggling with the decision whether to attend an accelerated BSN program or a entry level masters program. Like WillMak I am worried about the cost of the MSN program. Also a little worried about just having a MSN not a BSN and MSN. Any thoughts?

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Well Renee the Nurse practitioners around here have advised going with a BSN first instead of an MSN. Some of the MSN programs here require a certain number of RN hours to be completed before continuing on with the program. The daughter of one of the NPs here has had trouble finding work as an RN so her MSN program is on halt. It's causing her a great deal of stress.

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