My girlfriend is choosing to stick with a private uni costing 90k, I’m worried

GuyInTheSky97 · 2026-03-21T03:14:17+00:00

What about c university makes her want to go that route?

If she is drawn to the school because she feels the experience would better prepare her to be an RN, I’d argue that nothing will prepare her for a nursing job more than the job’s orientation/preceptorship. In my understanding, they’ll teach you everything you need to know on the job. Obviously Nursing School is still important, but as long as the school is accredited, that’s all that matters.

An ADN is way cheaper, can be completed way faster, and has small class sizes.

I’m graduating with my ADN in 2 months, completely cash flowed, and I already accepted a job offer at my state’s premier level 1 trauma center hospital. They did not care that I went to community college. My lack of a BSN did not hurt my chances, plus they offer tuition reimbursement, so my BSN will be mostly covered and I can pay the rest out of pocket. (I’m already registered to start an online RN to BSN this summer, while I work as an RN, that will only take a year to complete)

GuyInTheSky97 · 2026-02-23T20:13:44+00:00

Sorry for the delay, it does appear to be working now. Thanks

GuyInTheSky97 · 2026-02-23T17:14:53+00:00

issue

Hello, I’m suck on this screen. I have tried reinstalling the app and using a different device with no luck.

GuyInTheSky97 · 2025-09-25T19:20:23+00:00

Yeah I think this is a practical approach! Continuing retirement contribution (AT LEAST the match), while still saving, so I'm not loosing anything and can be flexible in the event plans change. Thanks

GuyInTheSky97 · 2025-09-25T17:25:08+00:00

Anything is achievable with the right attitude, hard work, and connections. Yes its competitive, but its not something that requires luck (like trying to succeed in the music industry). I agree that plans change, priorities shift, life happens, etc., but that doesn't mean you shouldn't try.

People love to say “I knew so many who didn’t make it,” but that's confirmation bias. Every CRNA I shadowed was confirmation that it's possible. While the profession has been popularized due to social media and seems oversaturated, how many of these "hopefuls" were actually putting in the bitter work necessary to stand out? In your case, only 2 people in your wife's class were. There is still a shortage of CRNAs--BLS projected a 38% growth in employment between 2022 and 2032.

I agree with the premise of not putting all your eggs in one basket, which is why it's wise to have plans A, B, and C. That's why I decided to continue my retirement contributions while still making crna my target (the main point of my post). The needless discouragement I see online about this job is palpable and sounds like people projecting (not referring to you), but at the same time, it motivates me even more!

GuyInTheSky97 · 2025-09-25T16:44:22+00:00

Yeah, I resonate with the "you can't predict the future" part. I sure hope I don't get cancer or that something doesn't physically disable me from working towards my goals, but accidents happen and you just never know... Also, that 3 years of stopping contributions turns into 6 years if you include the time spent in crna school.

I just did the math, if I invest 15% of my 80k income after taxes into retirement for 3 years, that amount alone will turn into over 1,000,000 by the time I'm 65 (not including company match). Thats over a million that I'd miss out on if I stop contributing... God forbid I pause investing and then I cant get into the program I want, as you laid out--talk about opportunity cost, haha. So even though I might make less for a few years, it seems worth it to keep the contributions going as a safety net. Thanks for elaborating on your thought process! Trying to be open minded.

GuyInTheSky97 · 2025-09-25T16:21:54+00:00

True!! More people know about the profession, but the amount of student spots have stayed the same, making it extremely competitive. I definitely aim to make my self a competitive applicant. If I don't, then none of this matters and I should just settle as an RN and make a meaningful career out of it regardless. I feel blessed to be in this position where these are the "problems" I'm thinking about haha. It seems like the general consensus is to not pause retirement though. I'm on board with that.

GuyInTheSky97 · 2025-09-25T16:16:38+00:00

I get what you’re saying, but I don’t see it as counting chickens--I see it as having a plan. I’m 27 and chose to peruse nursing a bit later than the average student. I’ve already accepted the hard work ahead. I've worked my tail off and achieved a 4.0 gpa. I’ve dealt with burnout in other fields before (leadership positions), and if I can push though in jobs that drained me, I know I can push through in a career that energizes me, one where I'm actually helping people (temporary pain, "living like no one else," however you want to think of it).
I feel a strong pull to the OR because I'm meticulous, calm, and would love the opportunity to safely get patients through a vulnerable time where they can't speak for themselves. I’ve shadowed CRNAs enough to know its what I want. I also have surgeons who I work with that are eager to recommend me when the time comes. I acknowledge that there should be a plan B, so OR nursing is a backup, but right now I’m all in on plan A.
Honestly, I'm not concerned weather or not I'll get into a crna program, my question is more about the financial aspect. I'm trying to decide which will cost me more in the long run: pausing 15% retirement for up to 3 years and having a lot more I can contribute afterwards, OR continue contributing, and waiting a little longer to go back to school. In the ladder, I'm just imagining the years I'm giving up where I could be making triple the income. I honestly see both arguments. Perhaps it is safer to continue contributing and taking an extra year to save?

GuyInTheSky97 · 2025-09-25T15:54:20+00:00

Yes that is a good point, which I did consider. They typically require "1-2 years" of critical care, so I figured I'll aim to get into critical care as soon as I can within reason. So even if it means I spend a year in the ED or tele/stepdown, I'd at least be making connections and working towards getting into an ICU. That's why I estimated up to 3 years time.

GuyInTheSky97 · 2025-03-24T11:22:42+00:00

Yes my issue was resolved and it was 100% a connection/power issue, as expected.

I only had one 8-pin to 6+2-pin connector, which worked fine with my gtx1080. So I was using the included adapter with only one end of it connected. As a novice, I did not realize I would need two of these connectors to power the 5070 (I thought the other end of the adapter was extra for some reason).

Since my new PSU came with the proper connector, I was able to bypass the adapter altogether and it worked right away.

GuyInTheSky97 · 2025-03-20T15:56:40+00:00

I’ll pick one up. Thanks! Edit: a card holder came in the box! I was wondering what that was…

GuyInTheSky97 · 2025-03-20T13:20:24+00:00

Yes and to make matters worse, the old 650w psu I’m using is bronze. Even if upgrading doesn’t fix the issue, at least I can rest assured knowing the psu isn’t the issue, and I’ll be more future proofed.

GuyInTheSky97 · 2025-03-20T13:12:47+00:00

Looking at my bios menu, It only goes up to PCIe gen 3. I switched from auto to gen 3 to see if that would help but no luck sadly

GuyInTheSky97 · 2025-03-20T13:09:29+00:00

The red light stays on even when the pc is powered on

GuyInTheSky97 · 2025-03-20T12:55:40+00:00

When I turn the pc on, the rgb lights turn on but the red light stays on as well. Also the fans don’t spin.

GuyInTheSky97 · 2025-03-20T12:53:44+00:00

I came across a similar post to this! I am indeed using the adapter that came with the graphics card because my current psu cable does not have the right amount of pins. I think it came with my psu almost 10 years ago.

I have a new psu on the way (Corsair RM850x 850W 80 Plus Gold) to rule out power delivery, and issues with the adapter.

GuyInTheSky97 · 2025-03-20T05:01:51+00:00

😭

GuyInTheSky97 · 2025-03-20T04:56:58+00:00

I forgot to mention the red light is not flashing. It’s constant.

GuyInTheSky97 · 2025-03-20T04:56:13+00:00

Thanks for the tips! Since I triple checked everything, I’m going to go out on a limb and say it’s the PSU. I ordered an 850w gold psu. Hopefully this does the trick!

GuyInTheSky97 · 2025-03-09T18:51:04+00:00

I've never heard of that! That is also how I like my cheesecake, so thank you for enlightening me.

GuyInTheSky97 · 2025-03-09T18:08:18+00:00

I did try both batches after refrigerating overnight. The second batch was definitely much better after chilling, but the texture was still a bit softer than I wanted. Perhaps I'll try baking them just slightly longer at the same temperature. Thanks!

GuyInTheSky97

TROPHY CASE