Paying for Nursing School?

Nursing Students General Students

Published

Hey guys,

I graduated from college this past May, and received my Bachelors in Biology, a degree with which I have no idea what to do. I have always wanted to work in health care and with patients, and I've wanted to go to nursing school for a while now. While I realize that had I known this before starting college, I would have been able to save the time and money and would have my BSN by now (as my parents constantly point out to me), I am now sure that this is what I really want to do.

Against my parents' better wishes, I registered for a CNA class this summer, and will be taking my boards in August and will hopefully be on the registry by September. My plan is to work as a CNA in a hospital that offers tuition assistance or reimbursement, and receive partial support from my employer while I attend nursing school at a 3+1 program by my community college and a partnering university, which together offer a BSN program at a drastically reduced cost. I'm aware that most CNA students that have just been certified are more likely to get hired at nursing home than a hospital, which is less likely to offer education benefits. Another problem is, since I have already gotten a Bachelors degree, I have heard that federal financial aid only offers loans for further education.

What alternatives do I have for financing my nursing education? Are there government grants specifically for nursing students (even if they already have completed a bachelors degree?) I'm really at a loss because although I am almost 22, I can't pursue what I really want to do without a huge struggle. After graduating, my parents expect that I get a job directly related to biology, and that requires a bachelors degree. I had to turn down a caregiver position at a home care company (a job that I really, really wanted to take, both for the valuable experience and pay) because it only required a high school diploma and my parents felt I was overqualified. They were also uncomfortable with me going to patient's homes and providing care. I hope that they don't react similarly to a CNA job.

I feel like wherever I turn, I'm always held back by my parents and their strict nature and high expectations. I'm sorry for practically writing a novel; I guess I just need some guidance and validation. I don't want to work in a laboratory or behind a desk; but it seems that a job like that where I can use my degree is best for me, as they think. What should I do? Am I on the right track with this plan? Is it realistic to think that my employer (if I work at a hospital) will actually help me pay for nursing school? What would you do if you were in my situation?

Thanks for reading. I figured it would be best to post this in a community of nurses and soon-to-be nurses who would best understand ;)

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I got my bachelors in biology too, then worked in a lab for a few years. Decided to go into nursing too,I start school in August. I was able to get a federal student loan, but I also don't have any other student loan debt. My parents paid for my first degree, so I don't know how fed loans work if you already have some student loan debt? But I don't know why you wouldn't qualify just because you already have a degree. I love my bio degree, but jobs are hard to get unless you have a masters in it too, which I was not interested in pursuing.

Contact your financial aid office and talk to them about it, they will be able to help you more than I can. Good luck!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Oncology.

Are there any accelerated BSN programs near you? Many colleges offer a hardcore 1 year BSN program for people that have a BS in another field. It would take less time than the path you're planing now.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Your parents have assumptions about the value of a university education, they need to understand that in today's job market very few grads with basic science or arts degrees are finding jobs in their related fields of study. Try showing your parents publications about this topic, maybe once they understand why you will be unlikely to find work with your biology degree, they will be more supportive of your alternate plans.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Once you earn a bachelors degree you no longer qualify for federal grants ( money that you don't have to pay back) however there are many federal and private loans that you can apply for, but i hear the interest rate on private loans can be expensive..

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Exactly. Now that I've already gotten a bachelors degree, I don't really qualify for federal grants. And since I already have quite a bit of student debt to pay back starting in a few months, I can hardly afford to take out more loans at this time. And @blondy2061h, yeah I've looked into accelerated BSN programs, but those are really expensive (and most are private), and I wouldn't be able to work at the same time to support my education because of the rigorous nature of these programs. @dishes, it's completely true that they assume that a bachelors degree in the sciences = decent paying professional job. But they keep finding job descriptions online that welcome fresh grads with a bachelors degree, but prefer masters' degrees or at least a few years experience. And with the competitive job market, I don't really stand a chance, nor do I want to pursue a job like that when I can work directly in the nursing field as a CNA and get valuable experience and make connections that might eventually lead to a job when I become an RN. @adc85, what you did after you graduated is basically what my parents want me to do. If you don't mind me asking, was the pay decent with a bachelors degree working in a lab? I've heard that you don't get paid very much if you do not have a PhD or a masters. CNAs don't make very much either, but if I have to choose, I would rather go the CNA route where I can get the experience and work in a hospital that might help me pay for nursing school and lead to a job further down in my career.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I wish that college advisors would tell students that a degree in biology is mostly a stepping stone to professional schools, and it's not easy to find a job without earning a masters or doctorate. I started out in college wanting to be a dentist, but I got so sick of school that I just wanted to graduate and get a job, not go through 4 more years! Lol, but here I am now going back for more school!

I worked in an environmental lab running the microbiology lab and also doing tons of inorganic tests, gravimetric, titrations, etc. I really enjoyed it when I started, and actually I would love to work as a microbiologist, but without a graduate degree, there is not a lot of room for pay advancement. Anyway, I worked in a very small lab, I started out at $10 an hr, and ended at $17.85. It was decent money, but I think in my area, in larger labs, the average pay rate is around $15 an hr. ultimately I want to be making $25 an hr, and I was never going to make that where I worked. I also got very bored with the work, it was easy and I often felt like I wasn't using my bio degree much, since I ran a lot of chemistry tests. There are cool bio jobs out there, but like you said they are hard to get without a higher degree or 6+ years of experience.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment