[Asherah]

Originally Posted by WantAccel.BSN

Anyway, am I understanding this correctly--that I will not be able to borrow additional monies for an accelerated BSN? Will someone please clarify?

Yes, I can provide some clarification regarding this common misconception. The only federal aid that a 2nd bachelor's student is absolutely NOT eligible to receive is a Pell grant.

There is a lifetime maximum of $46,000 for Stafford Loans. This means, that you can have 3/4/5/BA/BS degrees and if you haven't reached that max, you're still eligible. For example, I borrowed $2,500 at my first university, $11,000 at my second, and I still have $32,500 leftover for my two-year BSN at Johns Hopkins. There are maximums per year that the Stafford loan will allow you to borrow. If you are independent student, this is $7,500-$10,500 per year, depending on your year of study within your program. Much more information is available if you google the term Stafford Loan. Also, these loans are not based on credit worthiness and you can qualify for them if you have not defaulted on a previous federal student loan.

Private loans are a whole different ballgame and are based on your credit worthiness and are available for living expenses and tuition. However, based on the economic downturn and subprime credit situations many larger lenders are restricting their private lending significantly. Due to this it may be harder for some students to qualify for private loans and many may require co-signers.

I would encourage anyone with questions to use the financial aid offices of their schools, these questions are what they are there to serve you for!

[FL-MOM-O-3]

I am a SAHM 2nd degree seeker. I have a huge amount of debt from my previous degree (private school, no less). I opted for the ADN, mainly for price, doable schedule (evening program), and length of the program (18mo, straight). I am getting ready to start my 3rd semester!YAY!
I was able to get loans and scholarships. I am surprised no one has mentioned scholarships. Check with your financial aid office they may have one specifically for moms/dads. I was able to get a scholarship and reduce part of my loan. The financial aid office said that EdAmerica is best for nursing students.

Also check with the local health system, many of them have a program that will pay for your school, you just have to work for them for an alloted time after. I think it is usually it is a year for every year the pay for. Not to sure on that though. That wouldn't be bad if you plan on staying put for awhile and are only doing a 2yr deal.

good luck to all

[2ndcareerRNmaybe]

Another 2nd degree person here! I'm starting a 2 year direct entry MSN in August and also haven't quite figured out how to pay for it. Thankfully we have no debt except our house but the program I'm going to is expensive and my dh is going to lose his job in the next 2-12 months (nice that they are so sure about the date, eh?) So I'm sure Stafford loans are in my future. I'm hoping the school will have some scholarships and I'm going to look for funding on my own as well.

I wanted to mention to everyone to look into WIA in your state/county. WIA is Workforce Investment Act and it's a federally funded program to help pay for education to get into a better job. Every county runs it a little bit differently so you'll have to check locally. Here you have to meet income requirements and go to a school on their list of approved institutions. If you meet those specifics they will pay up to 5k for tuition and books so not a total free ride but a good chunk of money to help out! And here they don't care if you have a previous degree/career.

Oh, and I agree we need a forum to discuss all the weirdness that comes from being a non-traditional/2nd degree student. Like being away from the classroom for 15+ years and feeling terrified of going back! Well, I'm over that now but 6 months ago when I was starting prereqs @ community college that was my main concern!

[hiddencat]

"How in debt we already are from our previous degrees (OUCH!)..."

You're telling me. I hyperventillate when I think about taking my current $50K debt and adding $10-$40K to that depending on where I go!

"How to pay for nursing school when you don't qualify for more loans..."

Definitely- I've looked at a lot of these programs to get more people in to nursing through special loans, scholarships, loan forgiveness, and you're looking at 4,000 applicants for 200 awards. And my credit is not great (I'm working on it, but it's not going to be great anytime soon), and I really don't have anyone I can ask to cosign, so.... yeah.

"The ADN vs BSN debate when you already have the undergrad degree..."

For me this is the easy one- in half the time it takes to get an ADN, I can get a BSN from an accelerated program. I live in a metropolitan area, and a few of the local hospitals are only hiring BSN new graduates right now. Plus, I've known I want to be a nurse for several years, am just getting to the prerequisites, and want it DONE!

[Justthething]

Hello everyone!
I just joined this forum. I am a frustrated educator who is thinking of trying to get into a second degree accelerated program in nursing. It is so intense that I will not be able to work at all while pursuing it. It lasts 13 months. I am very concerned about paying for it: $28,000.

I am married and have children. Any advice?

Oh yeah, I am over 40, but young at heart!!

THANKS

[cokeforbreakfast]

Hi....I can relate. I'm 38 waiting for my acceptance letter (any day now) for an accelerated program.

I'm so, SO excited. I have a 17 YO and a 12 YO, and will also be unable to work. My program is $20,000. We're going to take out a home equity loan and hopefully I'll get a few scholarships.

I think maybe it's most important that your spouse is behind you 200%! If you have that, all that is left are the (very expensive) details.

Good luck and let us know if you decide to take the plunge!
Daphne

[455NYSE]

This my first time posting on allnurses. I'm also second degree seeker(first is a BA). Both my wife and I are career changers. My wife has just completed her Masters degree in her new career field and now it is my turn. Unfortunately I just recieved a rejection letter from NYU accelerated program. I intend to reapply to NYU and the other programs in the area after I complete my prerequisites. I was hoping if other had any successful stories of getting into a BSN program on a reapply basis.

[parris]

I had requested one a few months ago. They said they would look into it.

Good luck

[Justthething]

I am confused....how is it that someone who has a Bachelor's Degree can be rejected by a college ?? I thought there was a shortage of nurses?
Why are so many people being rejected?

[Asherah]

Originally Posted by Justthething

I am confused....how is it that someone who has a Bachelor's Degree can be rejected by a college ?? I thought there was a shortage of nurses?
Why are so many people being rejected?

Many factors, but just because someone has a BA/BS doesn't mean they are qualified to enter a rigorous nursing program. Primarily however, there are too few open positions in nursing programs and not enough qualified instructors to teach nursing programs. Qualified nursing instructors are hard to come by and the current salaries are often not competitive with bedside nursing or other nursing career paths.

Additionally, nursing schools/programs must enter into contract with hospitals, long-term care facilities and other clinical venues. These clinical placements are becoming more scarce and limit the clinical exposure a nursing student can get or a school may offer to the student.