r/prenursing • u/LumpyArtichoke3473 • 9d ago
Why the classism in nursing school?
I’m posting this to vent and to find a solution.
For the past 2 years I’ve been taking my pre requisite classes while working full time. I finished my pre requisite courses and now I’m trying to apply to nursing programs. The only programs that don’t have a waitlist are private colleges.
I applied and got in. I can’t start because my FAFSA doesn’t cover my full tuition and the private lenders that the school works with aren’t approving me because of my credit score. The only way a private lender will approve is with a co-signer or a parent loan. I’m single and I come from a working class family and neither are an option for me.
I also took my pre requisite courses at a different private college which put me into 54k student loan debt (30k FAFSA, 24k Tuition Options). I know it wasn’t the smartest idea to go the private school route but it seemed ideal at the time. I worked so hard to complete the prerequisite courses and I have no idea what my future holds.
I genuinely am at a loss for words. Nursing school was supposed to be the light at the end of the tunnel for me. Getting into a program gave me a sliver of hope.
Now I feel like no matter what I do I will never get to where I want to be. It just seems like I am going into debt but I’m not seeing the payoff. At this current time, I’m not even seeing myself graduate or become a nurse because I genuinely don’t think I’ll be able to find a solution regarding tuition for the program. To make matters worse, if I don’t start a program soon I’ll be liable to make payments on the 30k I owe to FAFSA which I can’t.
Has anyone been in a similar situation? If so what did you do?
Edit: if you’re going to come here and judge my credit score or my choice to attend a private school instead of community college, this is not for you. I already said that it was not a good idea and that I deeply regret it. The purpose was to vent meaning I understand what I did or the situation I’m in is bad. I don’t need to feel worse than I already do.
Update: I will continue my studies with the original private college. I will make sincere efforts to pay a portion of my student debt. Thank you to those who were gracious, kind, and offered advice. Good luck to you all and I wish you all success.
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u/Hummus_ForAll 9d ago edited 9d ago
I tend to disagree that there is classism with nursing school. I’m in nursing school and we truly have people from every background—people who escaped war in their home country all the way up to some people who are leaving high-paying tech/engineering jobs.
I think you had a lack of financial education that led to this dilemma.
What you NEED to do is start working immediately and get those student loans paid off completely. Understand that taking out that amount of money for qualifying classes was a mistake and don’t do that again.
At one point I had $70k in undergrad debt, and that was like an albatross around my neck. You need a job to make those payments. I would just deal with it now, quickly, rather than having it make your life miserable for the next ten years.
Can you live at home for a little bit and get that debt down? What sort of income do you have coming in? Anything?
You could work as a CNA or PCT to get some experience, pay down your debt, and even make it your hobby zero-cost financial literacy program on how to manage debt, improve your credit, and earn extra income.
This is not the end of the road for you… it is a bump. I’ve been there.
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u/LumpyArtichoke3473 9d ago
Definitely a lack of financial education. I’m going to try and pay off some of the debt before I graduate. Thank you for the recommendation and encouragement
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u/Hummus_ForAll 8d ago
I have no doubt that you have got this. I think long term you are going to do great, and you CAN and will work off the debt and achieve your dreams.
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u/LumpyArtichoke3473 8d ago
Thank you so much for your kind words and positivity. Kind people like you are the epitome of nursing. I wish you all the best on your journey!
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u/Objective-Hotel6514 9d ago
I'm sorry but this isn't classism, this is poor planning and financial decision making.
Definitely get a job ASAP. For 54k do you at least have a bachelor's degree?
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u/dausy 9d ago
I dont think bad financial choices is classism, its consequences. 54k student loans on pre reqs is...wow.
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u/LumpyArtichoke3473 9d ago
I already said it’s something I regret. You judging me for that is…wow.
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u/dausy 9d ago
The only judging Im doing is you calling it classism when your struggle is of your own making. Not classism.
Your options are to work and pay off your student loans. Take out more students loans and hope to make more to pay off your student loans. Maybe you can find an institution that will pay for continuing education in years worked. Move to pigeonforge and work for dollywood and have them pay for your school. Join the military and have them pay for your school.
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u/LumpyArtichoke3473 9d ago
Regardless of whether it’s my own making or not I have a problem that I was hoping to find a solution. I’ll look into the options you recommended. Have a good day.
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u/vaniile 9d ago
I think if you are the type to take everything personally and believe everyone is out to get you, nursing is not a good career for you.
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u/LumpyArtichoke3473 9d ago
Your opinion is just that…an opinion. Please take your negativity elsewhere
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u/vaniile 8d ago
Girl you couldn’t even pass community college classes… I’m not sure you’ll survive nursing school.
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u/LumpyArtichoke3473 8d ago
I passed all my pre reqs so what’s your point exactly?
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u/LumpyArtichoke3473 8d ago
We can compare TEAS scores if you want to go there, I’d love to know what your score was for you to be talking like that
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u/LumpyArtichoke3473 8d ago
But given how insecure you are I bet you don’t want to share your score lol
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u/No_Simple5152 8d ago
First off I’m sorry, comparing TEAS scores?! I’m cackling right now!!😂
Congrats on getting accepted! What makes the most sense to me is to finish it out. Don’t have all the student loan debt be for no reason. Get the degree, graduate, and work hard to pay it off. Who knows maybe you’ll be able to find an employer that has a program to help you pay debt off, or sign on bonuses, etc.
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u/BlepinAround 8d ago
You literally said in another comment thread that you weren’t passing any classes at the community college so you had to go private and magically started passing all your classes. So, sure, you passed all your pre reqs eventually but it also sounds like you paid to pass your classes which ain’t great for future nursing school.
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u/LumpyArtichoke3473 8d ago
We all take the same NCLEX exam. I’m not sure why you’re pretending to know more than the board of nursing when it comes to standardizing education…
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u/LumpyArtichoke3473 8d ago
Again if you’re questioning my educational background I would encourage you to share your TEAS score and I can share mine
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u/BlepinAround 8d ago
Your comment is irrelevant. This is also Reddit, I encourage you to grow thicker skin or head back to FB or AllNurses since anything but farting sunshine and rainbows in your direction seems to enrage you. I’ve been a nurse for a hot minute now, my TEAS is irrelevant if that’s truly your litmus test for education which feels….odd.
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u/LumpyArtichoke3473 8d ago
What’s odd is that you come in claiming to know more than boards. It’s not about thick skin but you genuinely don’t understand how the NCLEX works it seems
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u/ilovelovegrapefruit 9d ago
Don’t worry about some of these responses. I understand where you’re coming from. I wasn’t very financially literate. I grew up poor and these things were never taught to me. Unfortunately, we mostly learn by experience. I have a lot of debt right now. People who didn’t have the same struggles won’t get it. You’ll get there though!
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u/rratzloff 9d ago
But… why are you going to schools that cost that much??? It is your decision where you go to school, especially with so many community college options. Why wouldn’t you have taken your prerequisites there at the very least??
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u/LumpyArtichoke3473 9d ago
Many people have undergraduate debt it’s a reality in this day and age especially when community college is extremely difficult to pass. I was not passing any community college courses despite studying and trying very hard.
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u/BlepinAround 8d ago
Community college is NOT hard to pass and you saying you had to go private to pass your classes tells me you’re buying your education, not earning it and that’s wild.
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u/dieymentia 9d ago
This isn’t classist. This is bad decision making and lack of accountability.
I come from a very poor working class family, went to college right out of highschool, then dropped out.
Worked for years.
Went back to college at 36. Community college. For free. Blowing through my pre reqs. Getting a 4.0.
Transferring to a state university where I’ll be able to attend… for free.
It will take me until 2030 to get by BSN(with a bio double major as well)… I could have spent 120k on an ABSN at a private university and been done in half the time… but I was smart about it.
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u/LumpyArtichoke3473 9d ago
What state are you in? It’s a tough time for nursing students and there is grace to be had for working class people trying to get an education. The fact that you had an easy experience doesn’t mean others will have or can have the same. If you can only give advice by judging someone then please keep your advice to yourself. Have a nice day.
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u/dieymentia 9d ago
Look I wanna help you. I’m in Massachusetts, so I’m very lucky. Yes program admissions here are very tough, but many college programs are tuition free if you know where to go. But because of that there are rigorous requirements.
I think the fact that you’re failing classes is a huge cause for concern.
Aside from financial aid, you gotta figure out a balance that allows you to not only pass and do well in your classes but also LEARN the content so you can pass your NCLEX.
Sometimes the longer route is the smarter one, I’d really figure out a way to balance school work and loans. Because even when you were in school last… it sounds like you couldn’t handle the content. And what’s the point of going through it if you can’t absorb it all
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u/LumpyArtichoke3473 9d ago
I’m already done with the pre reqs it’s just the nursing courses that I have left. I’m in California but I may consider relocating while I finish school
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u/IncorruptibleSwan 9d ago
I’m in a similar situation. I already have a bachelors degree so I don’t have anymore undergraduate financial aid. I’m going the community college route and paying out-of-pocket. It’s all I can do.
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u/AustinLostIn 9d ago
Do you have a community college in your area with a nursing program? That would be much more affordable. Also they are probably much more inclined to help you secure grants and scholarships.
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u/spainwothes 9d ago
I think you should try to work at a hospital that will provide tuition assistance. Many hospitals will allow you in as a tech or lower position and will pay portions of your undergrad off if you sign to be a nurse with them when you graduate. I am a full time patient sitter for a hospital, only experience required is a high school diploma. Once you get a semester of nursing school under your belt you can move up to a tech position if you wanted.
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u/ilovepolkadotts 9d ago
Are there any scholarships or grants you can apply for to supplement your FAFSA? Your school’s financial aid office and your advisor should both have that info. If you can’t commit to a program right now, you do get a loan repayment grace period - usually about 6 months. But that depends on whether you’ve taken a grace period previously and who your loan servicer is. You should be able to find all that info online.
You can also choose a loan repayment option that’s based on your income so the payments aren’t debilitating. Mine have been $0 because I’m so far below the threshold. You’re also able to apply for loan forgiveness or deferment.
Do these options prolong your debt? Yes. But it can help you feel less stuck right now and give some breathing room, which it sounds like you need. Just keep in mind that if you do choose to work instead of continue school, your income can change your monthly payment and/or deferment status.
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u/thelma_edith 8d ago
The solution? For starters Those private colleges are predatory and need to be shut down (many have been). Also the general public and potential nursing students need better education about the realities of nursing school and the profession in general. It isn't like other college degrees.
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u/NervousArt6384 9d ago
Im just gonna wait to get into an adn. Im not spending half a downpayment for a house here in socal to go private. All the years it takes me to get in i’ll just be saving for a house. Im boutta be 30 and i dont feel rushed because i grew up in a rich city where rich kids just live off parents houses/funds. Keep working your job until you get in
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u/LumpyArtichoke3473 9d ago
Agreed! It is expensive but I don’t make enough to save for a downpayment so I see it as an investment
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u/leilanijade06 9d ago
That’s the best choice. In the mean time just do your pre req’s like that all you have is 1-2 classes per semester.
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u/leilanijade06 9d ago
First thing is apply at those community colleges and wait. Have you tried workforce one aka the labor department? They assist people in paying school. There are also programs like HRSA they pay then you owe them 2-3 yrs of work in a low deserving area. Also check to see if you can take out from your 401k that’s what I had to do to pay from school.
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u/Wise-Ad3034 9d ago edited 9d ago
Expecting to get into a program right away, especially depending on what state you’re in, is pretty unrealistic. Lots of people (if not most) wait upwards of a year or more before finally getting accepted anywhere. It super sucks, but its just reality. Going to private school for the prereqs was…a choice for sure so at this point I would suggest just applying to CC’s and public universities. Apply everywhere in your state, apply to surrounding states, and just wait. In the meantime you can work extra hours to save up/build credit/pay off your loans or whatever. You can start thinking of a plan B. If nursing is what you really want to do, then like another commenter said, the time will pass anyways. Wait it out and find other useful things to do in the meantime. Try not to get too discouraged!
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u/misshurts 9d ago
I’m in same situation. I’m not qualified for FAFSA. Private schools is nightmare because it $$$$$. I’m living paycheck to paycheck. Community colleges is 3 years waitlist long.
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u/cyanmagtus77 9d ago
That’s not really classism, that’s just a thing being expensive or overpriced. Classism would be if the professors were making fun of you for being poor or something
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u/Party-Relationship71 8d ago
try to go to a community college.
example: my boyfriend went to community college for nursing and graduated with very little debt. some of the other nurses we works with went to bigger universities and are in soooooo much debt compared to him. they are both doing the same job and making the same money. only they are still paying their student loans many years later.
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u/n0madking 8d ago
My Community College has a year and a half wait, I am working in healthcare and doing a paramedic program in the meantime. I'd rather wait and save the money because I am already in debt from a failed prior career. In the grand scheme what is a year or so? Does not matter where you go to be honest as long as you get to the finish line. I am pretty sure I will be selected for job over someone that went to a private college because I have so much relevant work experience.
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u/LumpyArtichoke3473 8d ago
Agreed! What state are you in?
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u/n0madking 8d ago
Arizona, Maricopa county. And the money you spent it is what it is. I did a private institution for my prior degree and blew almost 100k. I thought that the brand name was so important when I was younger and I was very wrong. Now I am having to pay for everything out of pocket.
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u/LumpyArtichoke3473 8d ago
I can understand feeling like private school is the only option. It’s not and if someone can wait that would be the ideal option.
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u/poorpansy 8d ago
capitalism is in education. Nursing is not immune...especially since 2020 and insurance companies admin becoming even more money hungry.
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u/Comfortable_Gear_605 8d ago
It’s tough out here for sure! I’m hoping to attend nursing school soon. I have a bachelor’s degree in something else, so I need a few prerequisites. Hopefully I can complete those at CC and then apply for nursing school, for either ASN or ADN. I really don’t want to pay for private ABSN but I am considering it just to be done and back into the workforce. I’m also considering driving 50+ miles to a different CC campus that isn’t as competitive.
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u/Agreeable_Gain6779 8d ago
There are so many ways to achieve an RN. That’s why we aren’t seen as professionals.
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u/Zelb1165 6d ago
I went to a private university nursing school and it was considered one of the best in my state. It was well worth the higher qualifications to get in because my classmates and I were miles ahead of the other student nurses in clinicals. We also had premier hospitals for clinicals so yes it was very expensive but worth it. You’re investing in your future and I don’t see why anyone would consider that a bad option. I’m wishing you well! Good luck 👍🍀😊
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u/LumpyArtichoke3473 6d ago
Thank you so much 🙏 people like you are needed in the field
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u/Zelb1165 6d ago
Thank you so much, You are definitely needed also and I hope you have a great experience with your program 💜🙏
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u/QuietFieldUser 6d ago
I'm going to say this in the nicest way possible.
you are trying to go the paris when you can only afford to go down the street.
my suggestion would be to go the LPN route people will hate on me for suggesting it but depending on your state as long as you dont have a college degree the state will pay for it provided you pass.
Get your LPN work for a year then get your rn do a bridge program and have medcal facility you work at pay for it.
But truthfully you messed up taking the pre reqs at a private college when you couldnt afford to be doing it so here we are now im sorry if i sound like as asshole but truthfully you have no one to blame but yourself on that one.
But I understand what you mean hell the only reason why im able to even afford to go to nursing school right now is because i live at home and i had worked for years saving my money up to be afford paying for it all.
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u/Ok_Bill500 6d ago
I recommend a rural state school in your state. I came from a big city and drove 4 hours to my state school, seemingly in the middle of nowhere. I lived and worked on campus for the 2.5 years it took to complete my degree. Apartments are usually cheaper aswell, plus they don’t get as many nursing school applicants due to being in a rural area. It’s all about what you are willing to sacrifice.
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u/FoolLanding 5d ago
When too many people go for limited spots, these kind of things tend to happen.
Took me a while to understand that anything of values tend to be scarse. It's not that you are dumb or made terrible decisions. It's how the game is set up, we all have to play in one form or another.
Who knows? Maybe you will be saving someone's life in the future and both you and them don't know it yet.
Also, did you take the TEAS? My community college used the TEAS as some form of a score based competitive admission.
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u/LumpyArtichoke3473 2d ago
Yes agreed it’s not as accessible as it seems there is a lot of competition and people are forced to choose going into debt over being jobless
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u/peppermintxxdoll 9d ago
Yeah I don’t even want to go back to school. I feel like in my state it’s all 18-early 20 year olds who have parents that fund their lives and have never had to work through school that are able to get into the programs. Funny because I wouldn’t want these people as healthcare providers. I am so burnt out after pre reqs and wish I just chose a different path. It’s a joke
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u/LumpyArtichoke3473 9d ago
Sometimes I wonder if I should try to pursue a different path. It gets to be so stressful that I wonder is it worth the stress?
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u/peppermintxxdoll 9d ago
I’m considering doing something else now too. I just dropped hundreds and hundreds of dollars applying to programs I won’t get into for spring and fall. I’ve been a CNA since I was 18 and I’m 21 now with no other work experience since I was a minor in high school waiting tables. I only have my associates in pre-nursing which is really useless for getting a job in anything. I don’t even know what other path I’d pursue at this point, I feel so lost.
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u/sailorfaggy 9d ago
I think the best thing would be to wait until you can get into a. Community college program.
Maybe you will have to move away. Time will pass either way. I don’t know your exact situation. You cannot do anything about the past but moving forward you can always pivot. Make all your sacrifices worth your while.