I started nursing school last month. Doing good academically but the amount of debt I will be in is scary to me. Almost $50k when all said and done. Nurses in my city (Chicago) make about $65k a year. I make a little over $50k now sitting on my fat ass and working out of a queue. The difference looks “worth it” until you realize Chicago taxes the hell out of us.
I'm being told in other subreddits that it's worth it, job security, blah blah blah and that it's really worth it if I work OT or travel. Yeah, it's nice for California nurses who make over 6 figures even in ok COL areas. but for most of the US? No. The fact that there are literally nurses making less than me now in other states is depressing. I shouldn't HAVE to work overtime to make a career worth it. Especially one that requires great debt. I love working in the healthcare field. I miss the hospital. But I'll be damned if I have $50k debt tied to me. I own my cars that are 20 years old. I don't own property. I'm a caretaker for a parent who is on a very fixed income that will likely need accessibility accomodations in coming years and having that debt plus the need to shell out $10k+ for renovations makes me want to jump off a cliff.
I have until April to decide because I doubt I can get my money back for this semester. I'm falling into a depression over this and am just reminded how far behind others I am.