School-related expenses, living expenses, and income sources for graduate students in nurse anesthesia programs

Nurse anesthesia programs (NAPs) are the highest priced programs for graduate students compared with 7 other nursing master's degree programs. Not only are nurse anesthesia programs expensive, but also most students are encouraged by the policies within their individual programs to terminate full-time employment before matriculation. The purpose of this study was to determine school-related and living expenses, as well as the income and sources of income for graduate students in the second year of their NAP. To obtain the information, a student cost survey was designed and administered to participants attending NAPs across the United States during the 2001 school year. In addition, total degree costs were analyzed using a cost model assessing 4 components: educational costs, living expenses, net income foregone, and loan costs. The results showed that total degree costs incurred by graduate students in NAPs to complete their nurse anesthesia education totals $173,007. The analysis of the sources of income showed the following sources were used by respondents: guaranteed student loans; a spouse's income; agreements with future employers; stipends from universities, hospitals, and/or the military; grants; family support; and self-income. Completing a nurse anesthesia education program is expensive, although the expected return on the investment is high. Nevertheless, the expense may keep qualified graduate students from entering NAPs.