2nd bachelor's degree accelerated nursing

Nurses General Nursing

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I am about to begin a 2nd bachelor's degree accelerated nursing program in May 2010. I just about maxed out on my first degree as I went to a private university. I will be going to Angelo State University but I am having to relocate and they say you cannot work as it is so intense. I am having difficulty securing aid. I am also 51 years old single, and have 3 children. Anyone have any suggestions, tips, or something they tried? Who is the most lenient lender, grants etc.?? Any info is appreciated. Thank you

Specializes in Psych, EMS.

Hi, congrats! I am a recent grad of a 14 month long accelerated BSN program..I will tell you what I've told many people. Learning the content and clinical skills at an accelerate pace is not hard. What's hard is completing all the care plans, theory of caring papers and similar bs on the fast-track. I did work, 30+ hours/wk as a caregiver in people's homes, and still managed to graduate magna cum laude. They will tell you it's not possible, that the program is too intense, but it is manageable if you can manage your time.

Do not get behind. It is so tempting to relax and think "Phew, I have a few days with nothing due and no tests/quizzes." Devote 2-3 hours/day to studying on days like this, it will make your life easier once things do pick up.

Try to take care of yourself holistically, after all it is what we promote in our pts. You can't give what you don't have. Take time most days for a workout even if its a yoga routine on youtube. Recognize if/when you're too stressed or depressed. Maintain support systems. Don't abandon your hobbies and interests. Cut up fruit for the week..make a dozen breakfast burritos, individually suran wrap, and pop in the microwave for 45 seconds in the am. Try to facilitate this balance and make it easier on yourself.

Again, congratulations, you can do it!!

Thank you for the great advice. I am really excited. I am glad to hear someone was successful as I have heard its a really intense year. I was in a RN program in 2008 but I got cancer, switched my major to Social Work as I couldn't keep up with the clinical's while I was on chemo/radiation. I also meant to do the accelerated program as I love nursing. Now I find out I don't qualify for grants/loans because its a second degree. However, I figure where there's a will there's a way. Thank you again.

As long as you are in an accredited program at an accredited university, you ARE eligible for federal funding. The fact that it is a 2nd degree should have no bearing on that. Not sure why you think you aren't eligible, just fill out a FAFSA!! http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/ Good luck!

Specializes in M/S, MICU, CVICU, SICU, ER, Trauma, NICU.

Good luck to you!

Specializes in NICU.
As long as you are in an accredited program at an accredited university, you ARE eligible for federal funding. The fact that it is a 2nd degree should have no bearing on that. Not sure why you think you aren't eligible, just fill out a FAFSA!! http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/ Good luck!

Just to add a little bit of clarification...you are eligible for federal loans (up to a certain amount per semester), but not grants. I haven't had a ton of luck with scholarships, but you may be able to find some that don't exclude second degree students. Good luck to you! I'm a second semester student in a 14 month program and it's crazy busy but I'm enjoying it :).

Good Luck..I just finished one myself! I worked in the ER as a phlebotomist on the weekends. They said it wasn't possible to work but I did...granted it wasn't a high paying job but it took care of business! Good luck!

Specializes in Near Future: ED, Future Future: ACNP!.

I am in a similar situation (going back for an ABSN). I haven't maxed out the total 57K in federal, but about 2/3 on my 1st bachelor's. Fortunately my Master's came from a different pool of money. Anyway, I was speaking with my financial aid dept. and they suggested private student loans to cover the rest. I am going to be working full time, so I'm hoping to not need to go that route. It is my understanding that grants are not available to 2nd degree students. I could be wrong though :o

Good luck to you :)

I'm also in the same situation and there's definitely no federal grants for a 2nd bachelor. However, there's federal loans but for a very limited amount per semester based on what's left of the maximum allowed $57K used for the first bachelor. Also, how does one get a private loan if most of the ABSN programs require you not to work & lenders won't approve you without being employed? Without scholarships and a phat savings account or a parent or spouse to cosign for a loan it seem almost impossible for most students :(.

Specializes in ICU.

I too am a second degree student, although I am going for an AA rather than a BSN at this time. I also went to a private college (30k+/year) for the first half of my B.Sc. Fortunately, a good portion of the expense was covered by grants and scholarships and I did an internship each of those two years for credit and tuition money. I ended up transferring to a state school for my junior and senior years to reduce my prospective debt even further and finished up there.

Since I'm doing my RN at a community college, the costs are low in comparison to an acc-BSN program and there's a local 4 year state university that offers an online RN-BSN bridge that I could finish in 2 or 3 semesters. All in all it's going to take longer than an accelerated BSN would take, but will end up costing me 3/4 of what the accelerated program would have cost me. Plus, the community college is only a 15 minute drive away from where I live and the university is 65 minutes away and this way, I can work as a nurse (hopefully, if the market opens up in a couple of years) while I do my BSN.

....Wow. TMI. Sorry 'bout that. Been studying physiology all evening and having a brain dump, I guess.

Aaaaanyway. Just wanted to chime in. Don't know how much of this will be of use to ya. I guess the only real advice I could give is that if you can cut some costs by taking a less direct route, it may be worth considering.

Good Luck!

I completed the ABSN program through Texas Tech Health Sciences Center in Odessa last August. We received tons of scholarships and overall, I would say that I received $12,000 in scholarship money. My husband makes 80,000+/yr. so it had little to do with income. Before I quit my job, I applied for the private loans through Wells Fargo. I had no problems. I think as long as your credit is good, you won't have a problem.

The program I attended was very small and the instructors became family. There were many days when I wanted to pull my hair out, but overall I don't regret it. If you are in San Angelo, Texas, you might want to check into the program and commute...

As far as doing an Associates first because it's cheaper, here's my opinion: If you pay $20,000 to $30,000, you will more than make up that money in your first year of working. While others are still in school, you will be finished! Stick in there and don't get discouraged. You can do it!!!

Specializes in med/surg/tele/neuro/rehab/corrections.

We were told in our program not to work but many students do. I just work on the weekends. Granted it is not an accelerated program. Some students in my program do home care and study on the job :D

Good luck! :)

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