How to Pay for Nursing School
Enrolling in nursing school and earning your nursing degree is a great way to advance your career. As with many other academic pursuits, though, it requires a major investment, so you’re wise to research how to pay for nursing school.
How Much Does Nursing School Cost?
How much nursing school costs exactly depends on your prior academic background, the type of nursing degree you plan to pursue and the type of institution in which you choose to enroll. For example, if you already have a non-nursing bachelor’s degree and desire a faster path to the profession, you might consider an accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree. Some nursing schools also allow transfer students without a completed degree to apply to their programs, but you may have to pay more to complete additional nursing prerequisite courses.
In addition to nursing school tuition and fees, you should also take into account the costs of textbooks, scrubs, expenses related to commuting as well as nursing exam and licensure fees. Because many nursing schools encourage students to avoid working a full-time position while enrolled, you should also factor in the cost of not working (or working fewer hours) when looking into nursing school.
How to Get Through Nursing School Financially
Securing financing — whether that be out-of-pocket or through federal or private loans — and deciding if you want or need to work during school are just a few of the things you’ll need to keep in mind as you weigh how to pay for nursing school.
In addition to loans, many other resources exist to help you reduce the cost of nursing school. Some, such as scholarships and grants, may even make nursing school free — or at least much more affordable. You might also consider an online program to reduce the cost of commuting or an accelerated nursing program to ensure that you start making your investment in nursing school back as soon as possible.
Nursing School is a Worthy Investment
Despite the initial sticker shock of all the related costs to paying for nursing school, it’s important to consider how your investment in your nursing school education will pay off in the long run. Not only does the profession offer the opportunity to do rewarding work and make a difference, nursing is also an industry that’s expected to grow as nurses are in high demand and compensated well for their efforts.
