wanting to become an NP after nursing but it's expensive

ICU11 · Aug 28, 2009

Look at potential employers in the area- a lot of big hospitals offer some kind of educational reimbursement. For example, in my area Duke Hospital offers 90% reimbursement after you have worked at their hospital for one year if you continue full time employment.

XYcsccSN · Aug 28, 2009

I have heard the Navy and Air force have huge signing bonuses for BSN nurses. I’m not sure how that would work out with trying to continue nursing education while being in the military though.

I’m just about finished with a two year nursing degree from a community college and plan to transfer to a RN-BSN program afterward. I have about $8500 in the CC and the RN-BSN program is 12 months long and is just under $6,000 (Ohio University). You could always look at something like this in your area and apply the 45,000 you would be saving toward grad school.

whawk · Aug 29, 2009

wow that is a really good deal. I know it's expensive to go to linfield but compared to the other school i got into it was the best and we only have private BSN schools in Oregon. I will probably look into an employment reimbursement program or maybe there is an army reserve for nurses. Congrats on being about to finish! ANyone know how much grad school is for NP?

allnurses Guide · Aug 29, 2009

There is no one fee for an MSN. It depends upon the school you choose. I've seen variations from $200+ to $1000+ per credit hour.

NC29mom, ASN, LPN, RN · Aug 29, 2009

I don't know where you live, but in NC East Carolina University has a RN to MSN program. (You can go from ADN to MSN or BSN to MSN). It takes 45 credit hours to graduate, and the tutition is $162/credit hour ($668 out of state/hr) which brings the total to about $7290. I am sure there are additional costs, but probably not too much after the tutition. The good thing about the program is that it's all online (except for you clinical rotation - which you can do near where you live).

I know this program would be great for me. I prefer to go to class, but I can learn taking distance learning classes. I am dedicated and use my time wisely. It is something to think about. I know it might not be right for everyone, but you have to admit, it is nice to be able to do it while at home.

Here's the website: http://www.nursing.ecu.edu/

click on what option you want (BSN to MSN) and then use the menu to the far Left (in purple) that is where most of the information is. This is not an easy website to find information. Click on 'future and current student' on L (purple) and it will lead you to more info

Best of luck to you, don't give up girl!!

whawk · Aug 31, 2009

OH my gosh, that information soulds amazing! I've done online classes and i actually like them a lot. I can be strict on myself when it involves school, so i think that school might be right up my alley. Thanks for the help!

tejon, DNP, NP · Sep 1, 2009

I'm in Oregon and got into Clackamas Community College. They don't have a BSN program per se, but are part of OCNE, which means once I'm done with my RN program (at about $5000 per year), I can transfer to OHSU for the last year and get my Bachelor's. Much, much less expensive than Linfield, though not quite as quick.

whawk · Sep 1, 2009

I've heard of that program. I think they have that at a few of the other Oregon CC's i got into LBCC but they didnt have that program. SO do you have to apply to the Bachelor program or are you in it right when you get your RN?

tejon, DNP, NP · Sep 1, 2009

There are many other schools that are in the OCNE program: list here

I was told that officially I'm considered an OHSU student now, just attending CCC and taking classes there. The curriculum is coordinated so that if I choose (and I do), I can attend the third year of classes at OHSU and complete my Bachelor's there. It's a pretty good deal all around.

amandapmct · Sep 2, 2009

Another thought is, if you live really conservatively for a few years, you could conceivably pay your loans back quickly. It would be a psychological challenge, I'm sure, but could certainly be done; if you're making $60,000, let's say, you chooose to live as though you made $40,000, and send $1500 a month (or even more) to your loan and pay it down quickly. Even if you only pay down half in 5 years, and then just make the regular payments for the remainder of the time, you'll be in a good place financially re: debt.

The other thing is, I have grad school loans (psychology field) to the tune of $40k and it really doesn't upset my life that much. I consolidated and pay $215 per month (albeit for a looooooooong time) and I don't really mind. It does affect my debt/income ratio, but I've always been able to qualify for a car or home loan because I have good credit due to paying on time and all that.

Just my two cents.

whawk · Sep 3, 2009

Great idea Amanda, I was thinking about doing something like that. I could probably even live off of less than 30,000 a year, if i tried hard and got a few roomates lol. I'm glad you can still qualify for cars/homes , because this money stuff is all new to me and that was one of the things i was affraid of. Thanks for the tips!