Student Expenses

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If I get accepted into the nursing program I have to pay $80.00 for the background check and drug test, unfortunately I am broke, how long do they give you to come up with the money? Also, once you are in are their a lot of other out of pocket expenses?

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I found a website that estimates the starting costs for their ASN nursing program to be $1600-$2000. It actually has a good breakdown of various costs although some of those may not apply to everyone. Your best bet is to talk to the school about expected expenses

Here is the breakdown for the one school

http://www.montgomerycollege.edu/nursing/2011%20Approximate%20Costs%20Start%20NP%20as%20of%20Dec%2014%202010.htm

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The school has a drop-dead date of when those results have to be at the school, else you can't start the program. So, how long does it take your state to get that sent to the school, and that tells you how long you can delay.

Out of pocket:

Books $500 - 600 for me for semester

uniforms about $250 total as standard off the rack scrubs and jackets

stethoscope $25

BP cuff $30 or $35

shoes say $35 to $100 depending on what you need to be comfortable

parking fee $80 per semester

patches to sew on my uniforms 5 @ $5 each

white wristwatch $15

I got immunizations TDAP and MMr from dept of public health for $5 all shots. They didn't require actual titers, but some schools did. I forget what background checks cost; about what you paid. Nursing school gave us the physical and the pee test and TB test and Hep B immunization and buried that in the tuition fee someplace. CPR I took as a college course that cost about $395 total for 2 Saturdays, but there are cheaper ways.

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The first semester I think was about

$3,300 in tuition (four classes)

950 in books

150ish for a new stethoscope

50ish in scrubs

50ish in ugly shoes

35 for hesi test

15 for Mantoux

30 for CPR renewal (renewed it then so I wouldn't have to worry about it later)

10 every two weeks or so for some kind of headache medicine

150 or so for drug and background checks

The same scrubs and shoes I've worn throughout the program. I've learned not to buy all of the "required" books. The stethoscope was a splurge. I just wanted another Littman.

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Everything listed is pretty much expected in my program too. My program also requires a PDA, Iphone, or Android. All so we can spend $100 on some Nursing Med Application...

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Check with your school on their policy. I thought I was going to have to pay up front for my background check since it seemed to read that way in the handouts. However, when I called to make my appointment, I found out that they actually work it into the tuition bill, which I have financial aid. So I did not have to end up spending money out of pocket, up front, for it.

Other expenses you'll have are going to be books, which if you have financial aid, that will be covered.

Scrubs, stethoscope, shoes were all out of pocket expenses I had to go on my own to get.

My physical and immunizations were covered by insurance.

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My school included the drug/background test with the tuition bill. There are a lot of out of pocket expenses so you may want to start saving up now! Here is my rundown for the 1st semester:

1200.00 tuition (11 hrs)

700.00 books (core books - only 1 book per subsequent semester)

220.00 stethoscope (bought 2)

105.00 pair of shoes

60.00 pair of clinical scrubs

450.00 immunizations

25.00 semester parking fee

10.00 (2) patches

35.00

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Thanks for everyones advice, lots of help!

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I would try speaking to the financial aid office about general costs. They should be able to give you a break down.

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