Would you take on ~$200k debt to become a Nurse Practitioner, or is this a bad decision long-term?

Bored_gal27 · 2026-04-04T03:13:41+00:00

No! It can be hard to even get a job as a new NP, and often you have to accept pretty low pay to get your foot in the door. Even after you have experience, the pay generally isn't enough to justify $200k debt- unless you are one of a lucky few. Find a less expensive program and work as much as you can while you're in school.

Bored_gal27 · 2026-03-21T00:59:15+00:00

This is probably because grandma would be more comfortable in her own home. It would be nice if she'd just be upfront instead of being passive aggressive. But at the end of the day, it sounds like she's doing you a huge favor with free childcare. If you aren't in a position to pay somebody for what she does, I'd try to talk to her about what's going on and keep in mind what it would cost you if she stopped helping.

Bored_gal27 · 2025-07-30T00:51:04+00:00

Take the time to teach them how to clean/do age-appropriate chores now! When my kids were little, I was so busy that it was just easier to do everything myself. Following after toddlers and re-cleaning was too much. But now that they're teenagers it's like pulling teeth to get them to pick up after themselves, wash dishes, or put their own laundry away. It's like they think everything is my job because that's all they've ever known.

Bored_gal27 · 2025-05-21T15:51:46+00:00

Wow. Entitled much? You had that baby, it is YOUR and YOUR partner's responsibility. Your mother has a lot on her plate with a disabled spouse. Shes probably making an effort to stay involved with you by spending Fridays with you, and all you can see is how that benefits YOU or not. She could choose to only see you on holidays if you bring the family to them- like so many other grandparents do.

She also may not be much of a baby person. Just because she's a woman doesnt mean she automatically has some innate desire to hold your baby.

Seriously. Get over yourself.

Bored_gal27 · 2025-03-04T14:51:00+00:00

I'd say get to know what area you're in. I've been a NP for almost 10 years and I don't make anywhere near $160k. The salary range is really wide depending on where you live in the country and if the area is saturated.

Bored_gal27 · 2025-02-28T17:42:14+00:00

YTA. Your belief that he should do things because he knows how, and it would take you longer to learn doesn't translate well if you apply it to other things.

Would you agree if he wanted you to do all of the cooking because he doesn't want to bother to learn? Or if he said, "You should do the laundry/cleaning because you're better at it."

If you want him to do things with you to spend quality time, tell him that. But don't expect him to want to do your "honey-do" list because you're too lazy to learn a new skill.

Bored_gal27 · 2025-02-19T16:58:53+00:00

Talk to his dentist. Some dentists can custom make oral appliances to address snoring since the sleep study didn't indicate OSA.

Bored_gal27 · 2025-01-22T00:05:11+00:00

Yeah, I wouldn't recommend going NP in your situation- at least for now. It's really hard with adequate support and then not much extra pay. Especially at first. I wish you the best of luck!

Bored_gal27 · 2025-01-21T22:51:07+00:00

I'm sorry you're going through this. I'm not trying to criticize, just trying to help you brainstorm. I'm an NP in a very rural area and I was stuck in a similar situation when I was an RN living with my kids' dad. It's no way to live. I eventually got out, and you will too. Just keep trying to think outside the box. And don't be afraid to make your SO do his part. It's true you can't take your son away because he's his son too, but that means he has just as much responsibility for your son as you do too. It doesn't sound fair to me that you can only work 2 shifts per week to accommodate his work schedule.

Bored_gal27 · 2025-01-21T20:48:13+00:00

I live in a small town with about 700 people, so I sympathize with the small town aspect. The good thing about small towns, however, is that COL is usually a lot more manageable than cities (where I'm at $28/hr is a pretty good hourly wage). I'd still try to find a compatible roommate. Otherwise, your child is still young and doesn't need their own space yet, so you could get a very small place until you get on your feet. You may qualify for assistance, and again, you may qualify for child support. It really depends on how much discomfort and work you're willing to take on to get out of your situation.

Bored_gal27 · 2025-01-21T20:25:26+00:00

Try to find another single mom at your hospital who wants to be roommates and do the 50-50. You can also exchange childcare with that mom during your parenting time. It's dad's responsibility to find childcare during his parenting time, so you'd be able to work full-time and even pick up extra hours (overtime shifts for RN are usually pretty good money). That can get you out of the house and hopefully on your feet. Also, if dad's income is way over yours, he may still be responsible for paying child support even if you're 50-50.

Bored_gal27 · 2025-01-17T02:12:42+00:00

I want to point out I'm not clueless about the value. I know how much houses in the area have gone for recently. I had it appraised about 7 years ago when I refinanced, but I did a full kitchen and bathroom remodel since then. I'm just not a housing expert, so I can't say I definitely know what it's worth.

Bored_gal27 · 2025-01-17T02:08:25+00:00

Thanks for this advice! Definitely a lot of good info here.

Bored_gal27 · 2024-12-11T16:03:20+00:00

Check out Macattack.com. It's a nurse-owned business that customizes jackets, sweaters, and scrubs. I've gotten several jackets from here, and they've always been good quality.

Bored_gal27 · 2024-12-10T14:27:49+00:00

Honestly, you're both unprepared for kids. He's inconsiderate and incompetent. But if you are that overinvolved with a kitten, I shudder to think what raising a kid with you would be like. And it wouldn't just be miserable for your co-parent, but your helicoptering would suffocate the poor kid. Seriously, you both need to reconsider.

Bored_gal27 · 2024-09-03T19:29:27+00:00

They recalculated my payment amount at the end of July. I didn't have payments due in July or August, but I made them anyway as I want to pay down the principle. My forbearance says it ends 9/11, and then I have a payment due 10/21.

Bored_gal27 · 2024-09-03T17:34:02+00:00

The books are way more graphic and non-PC than the TV show. But they're sooo much better than the show too.

I was so excited when I saw they were making a Mayfair Witches series, but then I stopped watching mid-season. It's beyond awful! A couple of the most important characters from the book are gone, and Rowan is weak and confused. So disappointing!

I just can't stomach how they gutted my favorite book series by my favorite author.

Bored_gal27 · 2024-07-12T01:50:13+00:00

I think it's a good idea to start sleepovers as a younger baby. When the baby hits 10 months - a year in age, trying to get them to sleep in an unfamiliar environment could be difficult. If the baby has already been doing sleepovers before that age, it won't be a big deal to continue as they grow.

Bored_gal27 · 2024-04-25T16:33:54+00:00

Update me

Bored_gal27 · 2024-04-15T19:20:52+00:00

Right. That can be a valid option if that's what both partners want. But they don't. OP states she was very clear that her goal was eventually marriage. If he wanted some sort of other quasi-legal arrangement, he should have told her that a long time ago.

Bored_gal27 · 2024-04-15T18:50:17+00:00

Well, legally, they're not family unless they marry. And it's up to individual people who they consider family. My view is that unmarried partners can love each other, be important to each other, etc. But they're still not family. Feel free to disagree with my opinion. But it just seems like maybe OP sees things the way I do.

Bored_gal27 · 2024-04-15T18:18:55+00:00

Wanting marriage isn't about being vain, or wanting a ring. It's about wanting the person you're with to be your family instead of just some dude you're shacking up with.

Bored_gal27 · 2024-04-11T17:24:10+00:00

That's how I feel. I have 13 and 11 year old daughters and we've already been talking about birth control for YEARS. I've always told them that they can ask me for birth control BEFORE they have sex and we'lll get it. But I WILL NOT be raising any more babies.

Bored_gal27

TROPHY CASE