Why is nursing school so expensive!?

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Hello, all!

I'm a new poster here and have been an EMT in NY and NJ since 2015. I've traveled abroad to Central America and Haiti and have worked a few "adventure" courses since my certification. I love working one-on-one with patients and suggesting best practices for self-care and better health.

In 2016, I decided to begin pursuit of a FOURTH degree (I already hold an A.A.S., B.Tech and M.S. in digital tech and comm) and I'm currently paying out of pocket for BSN pre-req courses. I am a bit worried after researching RN schools in the NY/NJ area and seeing that accelerated BSN programs can cost upwards of $125k (NYU)!!!

Any suggestions on scholarships or repayment programs? I'm currently looking at the Navy Nurse Candidate Program (NCP) and a few federal repayment programs.

For those 2nd career nurses, how do you manage the debt?

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Most of the feedback you'll get on this site is to look for a less expensive program (possibly a traditional 2 year program rather than an accelerated program). I personally wouldn't go into that much debt when there are less expensive ways to achieve the same goal, although I don't know anything about the opportunities available in the NY/NJ region.

https://allnurses.com/general-nursing-discussion/is-spending-80-1134504.html

Have you looked at local public universities with BSNs/ABSNs? I'm not surprised to hear about NYU; it's almost always ranked as one of the top most expensive universities in the country.

2. New York University - Top 1� most expensive colleges in America - Pictures - CBS News

You could also consider community colleges (the least expensive option), but I don't know if you'd be a competitive enough candidate for hospital jobs in the NY/NJ market as a new grad with an ADN.

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Specializes in Med-Tele; ED; ICU.

Because the demand for seats far exceeds the capacity at publicly subsidized schools and that's what the market will bear.

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I would start with your community college ADN and then do an RN to BSN. I'm a second career future nurse and have chosen this path myself. I just couldn't justify spending that kind of money on a masters.

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You're looking at NYU, of course it is going to be ridiculously expensive.

Agree with everyone above..look at community colleges, and cheaper universities if you still want to go the BSN route. Have you looked at colleges in your area of residency? You said you're paying out of state tuition; that gets expensive FAST, regardless of where you're located.

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Look at community colleges. I'm in my BSN degree right now, it will cost about $20K all in by the time I graduate because I'm going via the community college. No way in heck I'd pay over $100K, sorry.

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Thanks @wannabeny! I have looked at local ASN programs but I'm worried about career opportunities with only a ASN.

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I personally think it depends on the area and what they look for in their hires. Plenty of people I know with ASN's had no problem getting jobs, including the NY area; alot of factors besides ASN vs. BSN.

You could still look at taking your prereqs at a CC in state, or see about CLEP/DANTE/challenging certain courses, etc.

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Specializes in Forensic Nurse.
Thanks @wannabeny! I have looked at local ASN programs but I'm worried about career opportunities with only a ASN.

I agree that initially having a ASN may not provide the opportunity for you to work in a magnet hospital, but you have that EMT experience and some places may consider that as having some medical experience. Additionally, you can complete the ASN to BSN online after attending community college. I became an ASN I 2016 and have already earned my BSN online and is currently in a MSN program. There are a few different ways to get to having a BSN. Personally I got the LPNN then completed the LPN to ASN bridge, then the BSN online. Ultimately, you must do what is best for you, but I could not justify spending all that money when you could achieve the same goals for ALOT less.

Good luck.

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Nursing school is not inherently expensive. You live in an area where nurses make an exhorbitant salary, so schools can afford to charge a lot for the education that allows graduates to make said salaries. I am shocked at how much some of my fellow nurses paid for nursing school. I attended some very good programs and the total cost for both my ADN (community college) and BSN (private, nonprofit university) degrees was around $22k. I graduated with no student loans. If you want to pay for the name of your alma mater, there's nothing wrong with that. Just understand that it's a conscious decision. You can choose somewhere else to go to school for a tiny fraction of what you're looking to pay.

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community/state college.

10 grand for ASN

8 grand for BSN at distance online university.

I'd say you're doing something horribly wrong

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Specializes in Nephrology Home Therapies, Wound Care, Foot Care..

Start at a community college with your ADN,then do an online BSN program. There are so many grants, scholarships, etc, you should be able to get help. I'm in California, my community college ADN cost (including EVERYTHING). under $7k, my BSN at a State university, with scholarships, grants, etc, is costing me exactly zero. If you're willing to do the research and applications, you can do this without devastating student loans.

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