Was your education worth it?

Published

Hi all,

This post is particularly about the financial aspect of nursing & becoming a nurse. I'm a pre-nursing major (sophmore) & have already had to take out several student loans.

Has anyone else had to take out loans while working towards their degree? How successful were you at paying them back? Was it worth it?

I know college can be looked at as in "investment", yet I'm so stressed about this because I really want to be a nurse, but then again I'm afraid of the debt I will accumulate & not being able to pay it back.

Any input would be greatly appreciated!

Yes and no. I make more in a month than my degree cost, but I'm still underpaid for what I do. All nurses are.

Hey Scott RN- may I ask how long did it take you to find a position after graduation?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Psych, Hosp, and LTC.

Never question the value of your education...it's priceless. Yes, absorbing the cost can be and is difficult, but in the end it is worth every penny. 25 years from now I promise you will not regret your education.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Nursing Professional Development.

It sounds like you (the OP) are being very sensible with your financial choices and will graduate with a relatively small amount of debt. If that stays true, then yes ... it's probably going to be worth it for you. Most experts say that your student loan debt should not exceed the amount you can expect to earn in your first year after graduating. The people who get into big trouble with their loans take out more than that.

Good luck to you!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU, CM, Geriatrics, Management.

Absolutely! Self-development, able to help others, and never been without a decent job for long.

I'll add most of my schooling was paid by others (and the MBA entirely... thanks to my employer).

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med Surg.

I am definitely not going the expensive route. First though, I should note that I already had a degree and that degree supplied all but three of my nursing prerequisites. So the only pre-nursing expense I incurred was for three science classes with labs. Then after my first semester in nursing school, I was able to pick up a local scholarship (and I will need to work for two years post graduation in this area or I will need to pay it back after graduation).

I am in an ADN program, and will bridge to BSN while I work. I do also work part-time during school. I worked full time through my first semester. I'm fortunate in that my (non healthcare related) employer is wonderful about working with my school schedule. I'm also fortunate in that i can live with family while attending school. That helps a great deal. But all in all, I don't expect to owe anyone money after graduation (although I will owe work).

So to answer your question, YES it is worth it, and it would be worth it even if I had to pay more. I am just fortunate in my circumstances at the moment.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I am still in nursing school now, but i graduate in august. But roughly im paying about $3600 total [ADN] for tuition/fees. I got really lucky and befriended someone who was a semester ahead of me in the same program and am able to save that couple grand i would be spending on books. Even when i do bridge over it will cost me close to an additional $8500, which still isnt bad, considering the school i WAS going to go to wanted over 28k A SEMESTER. Yeah, you read it correct.

i didnt take out any loans for my schooling, my first semester i was lucky and recieved scholarships/financial aid that paid my way through, but after that i took a job as a PCT and am paying the rest of the way. My fiance works and makes a decent living, but im not obligating him to pay for my education because he is marrying me. I dont make much as a PCT but i do make enough to cover tuition, books [if needed], gas, etc.

Even though working/going to school full time/and being a mother takes a toll on a person physically and mentally, im glad to say that i'll be graduating debt free and with all the stress i endure, one of the things i wont have to worry about it paying off debt. its a small sacrifice to make in my eyes, plus it might help me get a job after graduation. and with the expectation i get a job at my current hospital as an RN, they pay for all my education, BSN, MSN, CRNA, even MD. So i wouldn't have to worry about student loans/debt then.

I know SO many other students, some of them my friends [both ADN and BSN programs], that are like "yeah i cant wait to graduate to get a job!" and i'm like "i know! my pay will triple! (jokingly)" and they say "....no, i have to pay my student loans back, so i'll still be broke. [sad face]"

In all, i say my education is worth it. It all comes down to how you are going to play the cards. Before i even applied, i looked for countless scholarships, did TONS of research with comparisons between schools, looked in to financial aid, got a job and saved, whatever i could to prepare. When i was taking my pre-req's, i worked in sales. Glamorous? No, but worth it? yes. It's all in planning and preparing yourself!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Peds, Float, Ambulatory, Telemetry (new).

I have to pay off a butt load of loans. My school was expensive for no reason. I wish it was only 2500, that would be awesome. BUT I do have to say yes it does pay off. Although it is difficult to find a job these days, when you do find that job it is a good feeling. I feel that nursing is that one career, that you could go anywhere and do anything. So even though I may have to pay these loans off off for the rest of my life lol I do feel like I am set for life with the career I chose.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ED.

I have to borrow this, it rings so true.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Emergency Nursing.
Hey Scott RN- may I ask how long did it take you to find a position after graduation?

Little less than a month.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Little less than a month.

Thank you! I'll be applying for the MN program and I have no experience so I'm just a little worried after graduation. Any advice on what I should do to prepare myself for the program and after graduation? I completed my BS in Family Social Science so I've worked in the human service sector ever since 2011.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Care Coordination, MDS, med-surg, Peds.

When I went to LPN school I made too much for grants. I took out a small loan(federal) and the rest of the year was paid by working full time, scholarships and my employer paid for some in return for work time after I graudated.

When I did my ASN program, it was non-traditional and "weird" at the time(LOL), It didnt qualify for federal loans or grants, etc., so once again, I worked full time and obtained scholarships. My employer again helped with money for time served(I mean worked) after graduation. The good thing is, that by the time I got my LPN to Rn course done, all my LPN loans were paid for and I didn't owe anything for RN!!!!

It CAN be done. Of course working full time and going to school full time is not easy. I had 2 pre-teen kids at the time, and don't know what I would have done if I hadn't had a supportive hubby!!!! There were weeks when I was lucky to get 2-4 hours of sleep each day. I was 34 yrs old when I got my LPN and 38 when I passed NCLEX for RN. Even with working full time, etc., I graducated 3rd in my LPN class, with 1.5 points between 1st and 3rd!! Not bad!!

Anyway... It can be done relatively inexpensively, especially if you are creative and hunt down EVERY scholarship and grant you can find. There are websites to help with this. Look to your church, local civic organizations, PEO, etc., Even if all they give is 200$ it all adds up and HELPS!!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I have no debt from LPN school. My sweet Mama and Daddy paid for that when I was 19. But several years ago, I got a wild hair that I wanted out of nursing and started working on my teaching degree. I have around $15k in federal student loans left from that. Back in nursing now and paying that off. And regretting every penny of it, too!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion