Back to College: July 15, 2005

Ask the Experts: Already in Debt - Would Pursuing a Degree Pay Off Financially?
Featured Expert: E. Faith Ivery, Ed.D.

Question: Hi! I'm a 35 year old mother of three boys. One of my children was diagnosed with major (as in outrageously expensive) medical problems five years ago and I left college with only a few classes remaining for a B.A. in child development. My income has been limited to approximately $50,000.00 a year in order to qualify my child for state programs (I stopped working) to pay for the annual RX costs ($100,000.00+ year). In California, this income range barely meets living expenses- and I l ive in a cheaper area!

I'm seriously considering returning to college to pursue a new degree- a B.N. in nursing. I've actually registered at the community college for Fall to take some prereq's now that the kids are all in school. I've determined that the original degree I was pursuing will not provide an income level satisfactory to my needs and I have a lot of lost time to make up for. I have approximately five years before my son's medications will cease and then I can return to work. It will take me four full time years for the BSN degree. My question is, with four years of college already completed and $20,000.00 in loans still outstanding, would completing a new degree in nursing financially pay off in the long run? Will 40 years old be too old to expect a properous career? Thank you. - Shellie

Answer: Shellie, there is a high demand for nurses, so your age should not be as much a restriction, as with other professions, to find a job. You should be able to transfer many of your credits that you have already earned - especially as general education credits and general elective credits. You could start as an RN and then obtain employment with an organization that offers tuition assistance and complete your remaining courses for a BN degree using this employee benefit. I'd also get some career counseling and "testing" at your local community college to see if nursing is the right direction for you - not just an alternative. Also, talk to nurses and those organizations hiring nurses to ask if your age upon completing your degree will be an issue to obtaining a job in your new field of work. There are areas in the nursing profession that require "specialties" and pay higher salaries for those skills - operation room, ICU, pediatrics, and others. - Faith

More Ask the Experts.

Feature Article: Tackling Online Degree Programs: Finding the Right Program for You
by Mariah Kashino

Have you been thinking about going back to school? Do you think an online degree might be the best option for you, but are dubious about selecting one? Do you wonder how you will know if the school is legitimate or not? Do you feel overwhelmed by the number of programs available and wonder how you will ever find the program that is just right for you?

Help has arrived. Armed with the insider knowledge of those who have gone before you, your quest for the perfect program will be much easier and more successful. A little prior investigation into your field of choice and asking the right questions can make all the difference in selecting the best program to suit your needs.

In This Issue