Tuition, how much is too much

Published

Hi everyone!

Just wanted to get your opinion on "How Much Is Too Much?" for these nursing programs. ... As you all know there are so many it there! I'm a second degree seeking student so those absn and entry level msn programs are pricey! Especially the ones without a waiting list.

How much are you willing to pay?

Do you believe the amount spent was worth it (job prospects, income after graduating? )

It's super hard for to put a "price" on my happiness and future... but would YOU consider paying 100k to become Nurse Practioner in 3 years???

THANK YOU! ! I hope someone gums this thread useful! ..

p.s. feel free to share how much your program cost/is costing you as well :)

OP: You might also consider the pre-licensure BSN at Online University | Online Degree Programs | WGU . It is only available in five states, but since you are willing to relocate- it might be just the affordable option you are looking for.

WOW! Thank you! I will look into that! I appreciate all of the support everyone. I was beginning to think 100k was normal! !! lol silly silly me!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Check out local CCs and then RN-MSN bridge programs. $100k is crazy. I'm getting my ADN now. (Already have BA and Mph). Then will bridge to MSN/NP from there. Total cost

WOW! ! You are very determined! That's a great idea! ! I totally forgot about bridge programs I had no idea you can skip the BSN and go straight to msn!? OMG!!! This might be my path way.. thank you! !! All that under 30k whew! What school are you looking into? You can PM if you'd like :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×

My friends and I have found the ADN route to be the cheapest. In California, they would give us a tuition waiver if you were low income, so costs were extremely minimal. So the financial aid that came through would go to other things like rent and food. The cost of the program was more around $1000 for the 2 year program.

Afterwards, some of us stayed in California and others went out of state. I myself went to TX and did an online RN-BSN for around $8K, scholarships and financial aid also covered that. My MSN now is around $12K and I had scholarships and tuition reimbursement cover that (no financial aid grants for grad school).

All in, and assuming I received no aid of any kind, the ADN-MSN process for me would have cost around $21K. All in rapid succession, no breaks between the years. That's pretty cheap and quick as you can get without getting into 100K student loan debt, and the upside is extremely high with good salary and benefits. Don't bother with student loans, it's not worth the debt. And if you have to take out loans, take out only the federal subsidized loans, so no interest accrues while in school.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Great! How long did it take you from rn to msn? And I am happy you were able to get into an adn program out here, I hear horror stories about wait list lol cate to share what region of California?

. .. but you can't beat 21k total including the msn that's amazing! !! Yeah 100k for bsn/np is sounding more and more like A total rip off

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I am also a bit older that's kind of why I was trying to avoid adns and their wait list lol

Up Vote Up Vote ×

2 years for ADN, 1 year for RN-BSN, 2 years for MSN. So 5 years in total. I suppose there are faster, accelerated routes but then, they cost a ton. $100K for BSN/NP is definitely not worth it, especially with the influx of new grad RN's/NP's I'm hearing about in California. Lots of competition. Same applies to lawyers and pharmacists. If you have that much debt and still looking for a job 6 months after graduation, you'd cry.

I would still apply to those waitlist schools and also schools that use points system. The point system was how it all started for me.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

five years is great! ! That's only a bit longer then the accelerated programs that cost a fortune. Well, I guess I'll have to put off applying for another year do I can complete the courses required for those ADN ( I was going to take online courses, but I don't think they'll count) I guess the hardest part is the

ADN then I'll be able to grow rapidly and cheaply. Just have to accept being much older when i finish. lol

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in retired LTC.

Just another word of caution - maybe I missed it in all the informative discussion re tuition (and I know it's not what you asked, but ... what career options will be open to you as a NEW RN grad out there in a market just overflowing with all so many new nurses?????? All are competing for the same too few openings for so many abundant other nurses. They're all be seeking that 'golden' FIRST position like you with NO experience and maybe NO BSN.

The wait for that 'first' position varies tremendously for newbies, even those with stellar resume E&E. And as you may have read here also on AN, many new advanced degreed nurses are finding difficulty in securing their first advanced practice positions.

Bottom line is - will you be able to wait until some thing comes along??? Those tuition loans become due and payable regardless of your employment status. You may want to consider some type of Plan B for employment into your consideration of finances. You need INCOME to pay for those loans.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in NICU, Trauma, Oncology.
WOW! ! You are very determined! That's a great idea! ! I totally forgot about bridge programs I had no idea you can skip the BSN and go straight to msn!? OMG!!! This might be my path way.. thank you! !! All that under 30k whew! What school are you looking into? You can PM if you'd like :)

I had to problem solve this - so I did a TON of research. I have a lot of debt from my previous degrees. I was unhappy with the fact that I had hit the ceiling in my career (research) and wanted more flexibility and stability. On top of that, I was married and had just had a baby when I decided to pursue nursing. So - failure is not an option and cost effectiveness is of utmost importance for my situation. So I hit the Google and did research. Lots of research. I looked at several program options, mapped out the time, number of pre-reqs required, whether I needed to retake anything, etc etc. but yes, there are RN-BSN bridges specifically for ADNs with previous bachelor degrees. Plus, you can work as an RN (at least part time) while working through those programs and maybe even get some tuition reimbursement from your employer. [emoji3] glad to help.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in NICU, Trauma, Oncology.
five years is great! ! That's only a bit longer then the accelerated programs that cost a fortune. Well, I guess I'll have to put off applying for another year do I can complete the courses required for those ADN ( I was going to take online courses, but I don't think they'll count) I guess the hardest part is the

ADN then I'll be able to grow rapidly and cheaply. Just have to accept being much older when i finish. lol

Also wanted to add - not sure if you posted your age earlier in the thread but - I doubt you are "much older". I applied to nursing school at 34. Will get my ADN at 37. Maybe finish the RN-msn bridge by 42-45. But I will be growing my career from day 1. I am truly thankful I went this direction. Not only do I really love nursing (I really wasn't sure when I started) and I am appreciating and really learning a lot that I know will make be a better practitioner in the long run. And now, being on the "other side" I understand what they mean when they say "how can you be an advanced practice nurse without first being a nurse". Nursing school teaches you a lot, but not nearly enough or close to everything that you need to know.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Thank you for both your post! Your feedback in very encouraging and motivating. I am not yet 30 and If I were to go the ADN route(granted I can actually get in) I would finish around 35, which is a great age, and at that poin in my life I am sure that I will appreciate not having to pay Sallie Mae the equivalent of a mortgage payment until I die. LOL...Like you, I am very interested in public health, and research that is what drew me to nursing, it seems to truly be a career that builds upon both,... totally unrelated to the discussion, but I thought I'd share that considering your background lol ...i also have a mountain of debt due to my prior degree :-( also something for me to consider.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Just another word of caution - maybe I missed it in all the informative discussion re tuition (and I know it's not what you asked, but ... what career options will be open to you as a NEW RN grad out there in a market just overflowing with all so many new nurses?????? All are competing for the same too few openings for so many abundant other nurses. They're all be seeking that 'golden' FIRST position like you with NO experience and maybe NO BSN.

The wait for that 'first' position varies tremendously for newbies, even those with stellar resume E&E. And as you may have read here also on AN, many new advanced degreed nurses are finding difficulty in securing their first advanced practice positions.

Bottom line is - will you be able to wait until some thing comes along??? Those tuition loans become due and payable regardless of your employment status. You may want to consider some type of Plan B for employment into your consideration of finances. You need INCOME to pay for those loans.

Thank you for your post! I was referring to BSN/FNP direct entry programs. I do not think I would spend 100k on an RN lol...Fortunately, I could return to my former place of employment if it came down to it I guess, and thankfully, there are deferral and low income loan repayment programs out there if it ever came down to that. Heck, I could even stay with family if I had to while I hunted for jobs.

I actually haven't heard much about nurses not finding jobs where I am from, so I guess I am blinded by the people in my circle who attend nursing programs and get jobs right away (within 6 months) to me, this is not bad. It took nearly 8 months after undergrad to land my first low wage paying job, so I am no stranger to the horrors of job hunting in today's market. I appreciate your feedback,thank you for the additional insight! I will definitely take a look into the job market for new nurses ADN, BSN, MSN, NP. AND keep in touch with my current employer JUST IN CASE nursing ain't all it is cracked up to be right after graduation :-)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion