Which nursing school to choose?

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Ok so here is my situation: Im about to have an AA degree from a community college. i changed my major recently from pharmacy to nursing. I want to get a BSN degree because i would want to advance my nursing career and possibly become a CRNA. Also from where i am now in school, it would take 2 years to complete a BSN degree anyway instead of getting a ADN for the same amount of time. i live in florida and the closest school to me that offers BSN degrees is South University. They are a private, proprietary school and tuition for the two years would be at least $50,000- thats tuition alone not including books and fees etc.. so it would probably end up being $60-70,000 but i would be able to start NS in April 2011. Pbcc is a community college and has recently become a state college that offers bachelors degrees in unrelated fields. pbcc is considering offering a BSN degree that MIGHT start in 2012. I would want to get my degree as soon as possible so I could start working as a nurse. i would have to get student loans to pay for most of it and i would live at home to repay them. Im 20, single, with no kids by the way. is it worth it to have that much in loans or just wait an extra two years for it to be cheaper? two years is a long time to me..:crying2: lol and does anybody recommend South University? was it worth it?

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That's a lot of debt to have, especially when it can be avoided. And waiting two years seems a little unnecessary, and disappointing, I'm sure.

Since you're young and single, I'd consider looking at other state schools in Florida (or community colleges outside your area, depending on which you want to attend). You may have to move, but it'd be a lot cheaper and you'd probably be able to get in sooner.

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thanx for your reply. i considered that and it would be a little bit cheaper, but i would have to either pay for an apartment or a dorm and that would still cost a lil bit. but it would be like $30,000 cheaper. the bad side is that alot of state colleges have waiting lists.. FAU is another school in the area and i think their waiting list is like 1 to 2 years long anyway..

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other community colleges in my area (or even close) dont offer bsn degrees only adn

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

Let's crunch the numbers. . .

If you obtain a $50,000 student loan at 6.875 percent interest and financed over the course of ten years, your payment will be a whopping $577.33 every month. A repayment term like that can be debilitating to the finances of a new nurse. It does not leave much room for other comfortable things that you might want later on in life such as an apartment, house, newer car, retirement savings, or money for extras. Personally, I wouldn't do it.

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thanx. I looked at a book with all the interests rates n things. I would want to pay it off as soon as possible. Right now, my car is paid for and i only have to pay for gas, insurance, phone bill and misc things- and thats not much. thats why i was planning to continue to live at home and pay it off that way. idk if saving half of every paycheck to pay off student loans is doable. i would want to have it paid off in like 4 or 5 years. im pretty good with money and dont spend unnecessarily. is it completely unrealistic to think this way? lol

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how much do new nurses make a month? im thinking the minimum and hour is $20 for a new nurse and im assuming that they get somewhere around $1500 to $2500 a month. i could save half of that easily i think..

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
is it completely unrealistic to think this way? lol
Why spend $50,000 to repay student loans when that money could fund other things in your life? You will be putting all of that money and effort into repaying this loan when the college with the cheaper tuition does not present this added pressure.

However, it is ultimately your choice.

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Specializes in Junior Year of BSN.

Have you thought of looking into out of state schools? I did that and moved from the east coast to Oklahoma to attend a BSN program. Mine is a private school so I didn't have to worry about paying out of state tuition. There are some private schools that are not that expensive like the one you are applying to.

Just like you my goal is to become an advanced practice degree nurse so the BSN was a better option. I was laid off and had some money in savings but I basically got accepted to school within a month of applying and the cost of me moving was about $800 bucks to move my furniture and stuff.

If you can get a dorm or find a room mate you won't have to worry much about living expenses compared to living on your own. Sometimes dorms can be reasonable since you don't have to buy furniture or pay utilities and you could have financial aid help pay for it. Try looking at other schools right now in other states, like Georgia or Louisiana if you want to be close to home. I would look at their websites and find out about the cost, tuition, application process, pre req requirements at each school then apply to at least 3 that you think you qualify for and fit your budget.

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yea i understand your point, thanx :)

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yea thats a good idea thanx. i will look into that

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Michi - you also have to keep in mind your ultimate goal of getting your CRNA down the road. If you spend $50k on getting your BSN, then you will also need to fund your education for the CRNA, which will greatly increase that amount.

Also, you're 20 now, but you will be around 23-24 when you graduate. Who knows what may be going on in your life at that time. You may not want to be strapped to the idea of living at home with your parents to pay off the student loan.

Just a couple of things to think about. Good luck in whatever you choose.

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