[NPInfo] Financing Education, Other Reasons to Delay higher Degrees

[mfnp at cox.net]

Not sure whether anyone else has seen the latest economic news, but, the economists who are studying our rapid decline into the next depression, have also stated that one area that is not being addressed, is the Student Loan programs and the escalating student loan defaults. 

Not only is education getting more expensive, but, if someone has to make a decision on whether they are going to make a house/rent payment, feed their family or themselves, make a car payment and the like, student loans are not exactly the highest priority. So, for those that are in the education field, and getting discounts, or free courses to obtain degrees beyond the Master's, great for you. 

With the economy already flushed down the toilet, gas rising to the $ 6-7.00/gal., and everything else going up in costs, this is definitely not the time to raise any educational standards, especially when someone is spending an outrageous amount of money for a degree that really is not recognized to guarantee any increase in income, recognition or a whole slew of of similar factors. 

Time to figure out how to survive, not get deeper in debt. Again, for those that want to get another degree, I say go for it, but do it for yourself and know that it does not change the profession, nor should it. But, just like the push for the BSN as initial degree for the RN, timing is critical, and theory may be great, but may also not reflect the "real world". Marty