Question for the Nurses

jgandg · October 8, 2006

I'm thinking of going to nursing school next year. I really want to do an accelerated BSN, which would take 12 months, and would mean quitting my job to attend school.

Here is the problem: my husband and I would need to cover my tuition and supplement his salary with about 30k in student loans. I already have 45k from undergrad debt.

The difference in salary if I had a BSN, as a new grad, compared to what I make now, is 20k gross annually. That doesn't take into account any OT or shift differential. It's just the starting salary at most hospitals where I live for day shift.

The additional debt really scares me. However, the additional income would help a lot in paying it off. Plus, I would be in a career that I'd love.

Any words of wisdom would be welcome. THANK YOU!!!!!!

Tired_Old_Man · October 8, 2006

You need to either use a spreadsheet to do the calculations or a calculator set up to figure out loan payments.

They have those types of calculators on web-sites that entice you to refinance your home.

Just put it the sum owed on your loan as the price of a house with the interest rate and then the sum that would be owed if you take the course as the price of the house.

This is more a math question than a nursing question.

jgandg · October 9, 2006

Thank you T.O.M.! I agree it's more of a Math question. I'm finding that for my husband though, it's an emotional decision, b/c he is not comfortable with debt. Me, I don't mind it, if it is for a good reason and I can forsee being able to pay it off (like a mortgage, a car loan, etc.)

So I made a spreadsheet and found that the net difference will be about 14k annually, meaning I can pay off the nursing school loan in about 2-3 years, with interest.

I've given the spreadsheet to my husband, and asked that he look at it tomorrow. I hope he's supportive.

dpingl · October 9, 2006

My son is in a BSN nursing program right now, however he is young with no debt. SO... I can tell with many people in the medical field in my family (several nurses) its a field with many angles to chose from as well a great career for a working mother. Many of the hospitals in our area have on site daycares, you usally work 3/ 12 hour shifts which leaves you lots of home time. Also as your probably know their is a very high demand!

I think anytime your bettering yourself with a PAY OFF especially with education you should go for it!

tacwoman · October 9, 2006

I am a BSN nurse and from personal experience the best thing you can do to get rid of loan debt is get a job through IHS (www.ihs.gov) -- Indian Health Services. 1 1/5 yrs ago I had $60,000 in debt today I only have $21,000 and in one more year another $20,000 will be gone. I currently work in Alaska but they have places all over the country if you want email or IM me and I can give you some more information. They have an awesome loan repayment program they will give you $20,000 above your salary a year which I make about $48,000 gross. They also then send another 20% to IRS for Taxes.

jgandg · October 9, 2006

Thanks dpingl and tacwoman. Dpingl, I'm glad to hear about nursing as a career for moms; my own mom is a nurse, and I do remember flexibility in her schedule. I'm hoping to have children one day and would love to have more options than 9-5, M-F.

Tacwoman - awesome deal with the Indian Health Service! Hearing something like that makes me wish I went into nursing right from high school, when I was not tied down to one geographic area. My husband's job keeps us on Long Island, where there isn't an IHS site.

Tired_Old_Man · October 9, 2006

Tacwoman - awesome deal with the Indian Health Service! Hearing something like that makes me wish I went into nursing right from high school, when I was not tied down to one geographic area. My husband's job keeps us on Long Island, where there isn't an IHS site.

I don't know if this would qualify as an "Indian Health Services" job, but Maybe you can get a job in Connecticut at one of the Indian Casenos taking care of the people who pass out when they hit the jackpot or go into shock when the nightmare caused by dreams of hitting the jackpot hits them. :faint: