I've been an RN for many years, and as of yesterday decided to take the lay-off option I was offered after the sale of my department, in order to pursue college full-time. I figured this was as good a time as any to become a starving college student again before I am dead and buried.

I would prefer to pursue my studies full time, and work as minimally as possible (not to mention the the job availability for older RN's in my rural area are that great to begin with).

The good news is that I am elegible for unemployment benefits. At least for a while...

Unfortunately, I do not have money for pursuing an advanced degree. I am a 45 y/o single woman, and given my work-life expectancy (another 15-20 years) I do not anticipate having $80K in loan debt when I'm 50, to be a wise decision.

Anyone who has "been there" have any advice? I've "heard" it's possible to acquire federal/state student grants as a displaced worker, and also keep unemployment bennies.

If anyone has real-world advice as to programs available, I'd greatly appreciate it.

Unemployment requires that you look for a job. You can't just say "hey I'm going to collect and go to college". Certainly you may pull it off for a little while but you will be signing stuff saying you are looking for employment.

Unemployment requires that you look for a job. You can't just say "hey I'm going to collect and go to college". Certainly you may pull it off for a little while but you will be signing stuff saying you are looking for employment.

Just received an email from a friend of mine.

Apparently there is a program to allow you to collect unemployment if you are actively enrolled in a college program that ends in licensure.

I live in an area where employment opportunities are dismal at the moment...

I would make sure that you have all the details. I was hurst on unemployment and the rules were very clear that it could not be used to go back to school. I'm sure things could vary by state but I would be very careful to have all the details.

I would make sure that you have all the details. I was hurst on unemployment and the rules were very clear that it could not be used to go back to school. I'm sure things could vary by state but I would be very careful to have all the details.

Agreed and thanks.

I've found info under the WIA, which is a relatively new program (2009/10 if I'm not mistaken).

I have a few challenges ahead but I'm determined to make it work.

Well...based on some quick reading I wouldn't hold out hope. Times may be tough but it might be a hard sell that you can return to nursing. It's not designed to further your current place but start over. The reality is if this was something easy to get...we would all know people doing it. I wouldn't hold out hope.

General Program Requirements

In order to qualify for this benefit program, you must be unemployed or about to become unemployed. In addition, one of the following must apply: your unemployment must be due to general declining economic conditions, current conditions must make it unlikely for you to return to your previous occupation or industry, or your job loss must be because your employer is shifting production to or importing goods you previously manufactured from Canada or Mexico.

It varies greatly state to state and so I would check with your states regulations. My state will even subsidize advanced degrees.

Guttercat- I PM'd you. I hope it helps.

It varies greatly state to state and so I would check with your states regulations. My state will even subsidize advanced degrees.

This.

In PA we have no search requirements until extended federal bennies, and even then all I had to do was sign off to being a full time RN student with the name of my university. These rules are state specific.

Source: 99 week'er who returned to school.

I'm clueless re: unemployment benefits, but there are a lot of resources out there to help you pursue an advanced degree. I lived solely off of student loans for a long time, & now I'm literally paying for it. Look for grants & scholarships instead! Good luck!

• HRSA provides scholarships, including living stipends, for nurses pursuing advanced degrees. You can sign up to be notified by email when the next application cycle opens (2012-13 is closed): http://www.hrsa.gov/loanscholarships/scholarships/nursing/
  
• Some states provide grants & scholarships to students who are willing to commit to practicing in their state in specified fields for 2-3yrs following graduation: http://wdcrobcolp01.ed.gov/Programs/EROD/org_list.cfm?category_cd=SGT
  
• And here is a legit scholarship search website: http://www.careerinfonet.org/scholarshipsearch/ScholarshipCategory.asp?searchtype=category&nodeid=22
  

Interesting website ---I did check it out and what a surprise! Welcome to America's Career InfoNet In my state I did a search for all undergraduate scholarships with the broadest criteria possible. Out of 44 available, a full 27 were specifically for the LBGT individual "Purpose: To provide scholarship to the students who have been stigmatized, isolated or closeted because of sexual identity issues."I'm not questioning the value of these but as a 50 y/o straight woman who can't afford nor justify the debt returning to college would require, I am disappointed. However, as I read further I found I may meet the criteria after all. Qualifications: Applicants must be lesbians who have completed their sophomore year of college; must be a resident of Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon or Washington but may study elsewhere. Criteria: Preference will be given to students who are self-identified LGBTQ, members of LGBTQ families or straight-allies who have been strongly supportive of the LGBTQ community.

Thanks all for the responses.

Much good info.