Totally ignorant!

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Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.

I'm talking about myself, actually. :D I've been researching many RN-BSN programs (stop laughing, BBFRN!), and I'm realizing that they're all pretty pricey. I know, news flash, right?! So being a spreadsheet girl, I sat down this morning and came up with an estimate for the program I want. I've realized that unlike my three previous degrees (3 Associates degrees = 1 Masters in Indecision!), I probably can't pay for this one out of my own pocket. Unless my pockets suddenly become lined with $1000 bills, of course.

My employer will pay for $3K/year, but that won't go too far. I figure I can match that figure myself, but again, that won't do it, either. I hate to be in debt, but ... ya know. I want this. And once I decide I want something, I'm pretty relentless. (*cough*Stubborn*cough* ;))

So I'm looking at student loans so that I don't have to stretch this sucker out over a few years. Anyone have any words of wisdom in this area? Good/bad experiences with student loans? (I've done the FAFSA, btw, and apparently I don't qualify for financial aid. Good to know I'm so freakin' wealthy! :chuckle)

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Specializes in LTC, case mgmt, agency.
(3 Associates degrees = 1 Masters in Indecision!) (I've done the FAFSA, btw, and apparently I don't qualify for financial aid. Good to know I'm so freakin' wealthy! :chuckle)

I am in the same boat here. I think they just think that being over 30 and married = wealthy. BTW, I've got the same Master's.:chuckle On the Graduate NP/PHD forum here there is a sticky with some resources for financial aid? I have not looked too far into it yet, I am still interveiwing at local colleges here.

Good luck!:nurse:

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Specializes in Psych, LTC, Acute Care.

I know this doesn't help you but in NC there is this program "Master's Nurse Scholars Program (M-NSP) Graduate Program." Its a loan/Scholarship where you can borrow 6,000 a year from the state of NC. If you work in the state for every year that you borrowed money, they will waive the fee. Now that is a steal! I really like NC because they have alot of incentives if you work in the state and do service. See if you can google search this type of program for Virginia.

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Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.

That is awesome! :) I hope you take advantage of that!

To further complicate things, we're planning on moving to the state of Colorgon/Oregado (darnit, we just can't choose between Colorado or Oregon yet) in the next couple of years, depending on a few variables. So because I don't know where we'll be and when, I can't do anything based on a state.

This is another consideration for me -- at some point I need to stop having my employer reimburse my tuition because it's a 6-month commitment at the end of each class for which they pay. And if we're going to move, I don't want to owe them money.

We'll see what Chamberlain has to say as far as my FAFSA stuff, and what they recommend. I'm just a planner -- I like to have everything all lined up!

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Specializes in Psych, LTC, Acute Care.
That is awesome! :) I hope you take advantage of that!

To further complicate things, we're planning on moving to the state of Colorgon/Oregado (darnit, we just can't choose between Colorado or Oregon yet) in the next couple of years, depending on a few variables. So because I don't know where we'll be and when, I can't do anything based on a state.

This is another consideration for me -- at some point I need to stop having my employer reimburse my tuition because it's a 6-month commitment at the end of each class for which they pay. And if we're going to move, I don't want to owe them money.

We'll see what Chamberlain has to say as far as my FAFSA stuff, and what they recommend. I'm just a planner -- I like to have everything all lined up!

Good Luck and let us know what you come up with. Personally LPN school broke me from the classroom setting. I will probably go to UNC Chapel hill and get my RN-MSN. They have a online program and some classroom setting. My roommate from college did the program and said it was very doable. I personally want to do it all online but EC has set me back a pretty penny and I would want to pay my credit cards down before paying any money to another school.

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Specializes in Psych, LTC, Acute Care.

Lunah, what kind of nurse do you want to once you get your BSN?

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if it isnt going to be for a couple of years....i would SQUEEZE that budget till george was screaming.....it may surprise you what you can sock awayq

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Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.
if it isnt going to be for a couple of years....i would SQUEEZE that budget till george was screaming.....it may surprise you what you can sock awayq

Oops, sorry for any confusion ... the move won't be for a year or two, but school will be sooner. But I am an aggressive saver/budget girlie; I've been known to pinch a penny. :) I think my socking-away skills are what have kept me from qualifying for financial aid! But I don't want to spend all our savings on school, either ... I feel selfish doing that. :( But thanks for your advice! I will trim the fat where I can and see what that does for us.

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Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.
Lunah, what kind of nurse do you want to once you get your BSN?

Just a regular ol' staff nurse in the ER. :) Perhaps a team leader/charge nurse/resource nurse at some point. This is the reason I'm doing RN-BSN instead of RN-MSN right now ... I can only see so far into my professional future!

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Specializes in Med/Surge, Private Duty Peds.
i'm talking about myself, actually. :D i've been researching many rn-bsn programs (stop laughing, bbfrn!), and i'm realizing that they're all pretty pricey. i know, news flash, right?! so being a spreadsheet girl, i sat down this morning and came up with an estimate for the program i want. i've realized that unlike my three previous degrees (3 associates degrees = 1 masters in indecision!), i probably can't pay for this one out of my own pocket. unless my pockets suddenly become lined with $1000 bills, of course.

my employer will pay for $3k/year, but that won't go too far. i figure i can match that figure myself, but again, that won't do it, either. i hate to be in debt, but ... ya know. i want this. and once i decide i want something, i'm pretty relentless. (*cough*stubborn*cough* ;))

so i'm looking at student loans so that i don't have to stretch this sucker out over a few years. anyone have any words of wisdom in this area? good/bad experiences with student loans? (i've done the fafsa, btw, and apparently i don't qualify for financial aid. good to know i'm so freakin' wealthy! :chuckle)

why does this note surprise me?:D:smokin::D

only you would be getting ready to move on so soon after becoming a rn.:wink2:

good luck lunah!

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To be honest I am not a fan of student loans Lisa. My wife has a loan from sallie mae, and it is 19,000 and it does not move. If i were you I would pay as you go or wait until you have enough money. I am planning on paying like 2000 a month towards my wife's loan coming up in september. There is no college around you that has online classes that are cheaper? The college near me is 80 a credit towards my bachelors, and hopefully as soon as I get into the hospital they will pay for it. I would stay away from the student loans just my thoughts on this.

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Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.
I would stay away from the student loans just my thoughts on this.

I totally agree with you; thus, all the agonizing over here. :D

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