how in the world does one pay for nursing school!

[hoosiertwin]

Hi all,

I am a stay at home mom with two bachelor's of science degrees (psych and addictions counseling) and am wanting to start Marian University's (Indianapolis, In) accredited, accelerated, online BSN program this August. The cost is around $750 per credit hour (i know, right?) for nursing classes in the program. Since it is accelerated, they strongly recommended you don't work during school and my federal aid is capped at $6500 or so per semester. Therefore, how in the world could anyone afford this program, especially if you aren't working?? Private student loans?? Any moms out there with a similar experience and if so, how did you finance your education?

[Dranger]

Military paid for it and it was close to 160k by the end

[THELIVINGWORST, ASN, RN]

Are you an RN already? How can your entire program be online? If you can't work, I would recommend going to a traditional BSN program.

[hoosiertwin]

No, I'm not an RN or LPN. This program is only for people with a bachelors degree already in another field. I would love to do a traditional program but I'm 32 and have already done 4 years of undergrad and one year of grad work AND I have two kids. So I'm not too interested in spending more time on school if I don't have to. Did you have personal loans or fin aid?

[SunshineDaisy, ASN, RN]

Won't some of your classes have to be in person, for labs and clinical? I am 37, graduated when I was 36, have 2 kids and my hubby was gone for a year of my school. I had to get a student loan to cover what mt grants didn't.

[LadyFree28, BSN, LPN, RN]

Won't some of your classes have to be in person for labs and clinical? [/quote']

THIS.

Granted, I am in a different area; however I did a BSN program at a university that was part time; two nights a week, weekend clinicals. My program had cohorts with previous bachelors and master degrees-teachers, lawyers; cohirts with careers in healthcare; cohorts with children, etc.

Is there a program similar to this in your area?

My program was covered with student loans and grants; ranged from 5000-6000 a semester including fees; total 7 semesters of nursing courses; 8 for university requirements-that tuition was 3500 for a semester.

[RNinCLE, ADN, BSN]

In looking at their site, only coursework is online. You still go in for labs, clinicals, and pro tired exams.

I had to take student loans out for my program. Which is also partly why I chose a well-respected program at a local community college that wasn't ridiculously expensive. I just couldn't justify spending so much.

[RNinCLE, ADN, BSN]

That should say proctored exams.

Guess I should check for autocorrect next time.

[hoosiertwin]

How were you able to get grants? Maybe it is different from state to state but they said I did not qualify for any grants. Yes I know I would start clinical work the first semester

[Guest757854]

I dont understand for the life of me why people obtain a bachelors degrer in one field then quickly or not so quickly want to switch careers to nursing??????? Boggles my mind. Wouldnt it jus have been smarter to obtain the BSN in the first place??

[THELIVINGWORST, ASN, RN]

I got grants and one loan. I never paid one red cent. Do you want to be in debt for the next ten years all to save one extra year in NS? Most of the people from my school were in their 30s, it's better to do it right, than to do it quick.

[HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD]

For the most part, "free" Federal money is limited to first degree students - but if you did not take advantage of Pell Grant in your other program, you may still be under the Lifetime Eligibility Used (LEU) and have some funds available. Here is the explanation Calculating Pell Grant Lifetime Eligibility Used | Federal Student Aid

There may be scholarships or other private funding opportunities available to you. BEWARE the lure of loans.... No matter what that slick and very persuasive recruiter has told you, that new grad nursing salary will not be 'more than enough' to offset large student loans. Student loans are forever... cannot be written off with bankruptcy; if you default, you will most likely not be able to renew your nursing license. The ultimate Catch-22.

Nursing education is not 'quick', nor should it be. You will end up with a much stronger foundation if you take sufficient time to not only absorb the knowledge, but also to process & reflect on the learning to establish personal meaning as well as develop confidence in your clinical skills and acculturate to the profession. This is why hiring managers in my organization do not hire 'accelerated' grads unless they are transitioning from another clinical profession.