How am I going to pay for RN school

xoemmylouox, ASN, RN · Oct 15, 2013

Trying to figure out how to go back myself. No prior degree before my LPN, but I'm the breadwinner so I HAVE to have a decent income.

AZ_LPN_8_26_13 · Oct 15, 2013

I am in the same boat. I'm really doing what I am doing totally by faith..... I'm an LPN and I've just enrolled in a LPN to BSN program. I really have no idea of how I'm going to pay for it all. I don't want to take out any loans - I'm 60 years old and I don't want that debt hanging over me for basically the rest of my life. Maybe if I were in my twenties I'd consider that route. I've already applied for a few scholarships, and while I was filling out FAFSA (the school requires it, even if you aren't planning on getting a loan) I made it known to them that I would consider any sort of grant that I would qualify for - you don't have to pay back a grant. I also happen to have a 401k that I could start cashing out of without penalty because of my age. I am also looking at taking a second job - possibly working at a nursing home or community clinic etc with the majority of that money going to fund my education. I don't actually start classes until this coming February - that's the earliest that I can jump into a beginning cohort for this program. Like you I already have a Bachelors Degree (not in nursing) and so I have a lot of transfer credits which will bring down the cost and also length of time of my BSN program. Like I said, I'm just taking it on faith that this will all fall together somehow. I will let you know how it all works out. Best of luck to you with your own program

vintagemother, BSN, CNA, LVN, RN · Oct 15, 2013

I am going to either a community college which costs 2000 total or a state university which will cost me 500/mo for 3 years. I plan to work part time and I get child support and will be able to hopefully piece together enough from either my divorce settlement or maybe student loans to make the rest work out. It will be a walk of faith--the same one that got me through my LVN program from which I'm going to graduate from in a few days.

garnetgirl29, BSN, RN · Oct 15, 2013

Community college is definitely cheaper. Fortunately for me, Pell grant has covered everything up to this point & I'm hoping it will cover the ADN program as well. I'm working on my last pre-requesite now and am planning to apply to the LPN-RN bridge program. That will be one year. I haven't decided if I'll go for the BSN yet.

onepowerfullady, LPN · Oct 15, 2013

I am in the same boat. I'm really doing what I am doing totally by faith..... I'm an LPN and I've just enrolled in a LPN to BSN program. I really have no idea of how I'm going to pay for it all. I don't want to take out any loans - I'm 60 years old and I don't want that debt hanging over me for basically the rest of my life. Maybe if I were in my twenties I'd consider that route. I've already applied for a few scholarships and while I was filling out FAFSA (the school requires it, even if you aren't planning on getting a loan) I made it known to them that I would consider any sort of grant that I would qualify for - you don't have to pay back a grant. I also happen to have a 401k that I could start cashing out of without penalty because of my age. I am also looking at taking a second job - possibly working at a nursing home or community clinic etc with the majority of that money going to fund my education. I don't actually start classes until this coming February - that's the earliest that I can jump into a beginning cohort for this program. Like you I already have a Bachelors Degree (not in nursing) and so I have a lot of transfer credits which will bring down the cost and also length of time of my BSN program. Like I said, I'm just taking it on faith that this will all fall together somehow. I will let you know how it all works out. Best of luck to you with your own program[/quote']
Well then you feel me. I'm hoping for the best because God knows I'm darn near 40 and geez.... if you can do it. ..I can to...

AZ_LPN_8_26_13 · Oct 15, 2013

Well then you feel me. I'm hoping for the best because God knows I'm darn near 40 and geez.... if you can do it. ..I can to...

I was hoping that you would say that. I've had lots of people I know where I work, and neighbors and such, say things like "Gee I'd like to try something like that but I'm too old to start that" then I gently remind them of my own age LOL We have lots of wisdom and life experiences to draw on that the twenty-something crowd doesn't have (yet). Many of my current patients I can relate to very well because with many of them, I am of the same generation as them. Many of the things they say and do fly over the heads of the younger people that I work with.........

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Oct 17, 2013

I worked 32 hours per week as an LVN at a nursing home while attending an RN bridge program full time. I worked two 16-hour shifts every Saturday and Sunday, which allowed me to have Monday through Friday off to go to school during the week.

vintagemother, BSN, CNA, LVN, RN · Oct 17, 2013

Hi Commuter...do you have any suggestions for job hunting for 12/16 hour shifts on weekends?

I do not have a prior relationship with an employer and will be a new grad LVN. Would you just put the hours you're available on your application? Or would you mention it on your resume or cover letter? Job hunting.....?

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Oct 17, 2013

Hi Commuter...do you have any suggestions for job hunting for 12/16 hour shifts on weekends?
I do not have a prior relationship with an employer and will be a new grad LVN. Would you just put the hours you're available on your application? Or would you mention it on your resume or cover letter? Job hunting.....

I landed a 16-hour weekend double job as a new grad LVN, although this was in 2006 when the economy and nursing job situation were more stable.

Many nursing homes offer them. Visit local nursing homes and SNFs and inquire in person about the availability of weekend-only shifts. You might get lucky.

nekozuki, LPN · Oct 17, 2013

1. Public/community college only.

Cheap and competitive often go hand in hand when it comes to nursing programs. Avoid doing what so many others fall victim to: waltzing into a 40k private school with terrible credentials whom you found through pop-up ads, promise you the moon and leave you with loans up the wazoo. You have to work harder in cheap programs, but it'll save you the cost of a house down payment.

2. Public schools offer ridiculous amounts of scholarships!

These schools have TONS of scholarships available. Write an article to a dinky little school magazine? Bam, 500 bucks. Pay a small membership fee to PTK? Bam. Qualify for another little scholarship. Hell, just for joining the honors program in my local cc, I got a scholarship. One of my comp professors made it a requirement for everyone in her class to submit an essay to a scholarship fund, and every ended up with 500-1500 in scholarship money. It is absolutely possible to piecemeal funding together.

3. TIPS or incremental payment program

I do this, and it's a lifesaver. My school allows me to make a 30-40% down payment, then splits up the remaining cost on a monthly basis. I can also add in textbooks. It's a lifesaver!

4. Books

I swear, some of my books cost more than the actual class. And because so many books have passcodes in them you might need, I scope out my classes ahead of time and email professors. I ask about whether or not we will need codes for our books, and if it is appropriate to buy an older edition. Doing this can net you a book for 30 bucks while the original w/ passcode you don't even need is 200! If you end up with a little bit of financial help via scholarship, it will keep book costs from eating into that. Also, I use ratemyprofessor.com and former students to determine if I even need to buy a book in the first place. IE: My Anatomy professor put up power point slides, chapter outlines, study guides and supplemental learning sites that were so thorough I didn't need to buy a 220 dollar book. **All this should be done waaaaay in advance. A professor will be more receptive to you if you go early and explain your situation**

5. Private Duty Nursing or Hospice - Being paid to do homework

I work three 12-hour shifts a week, and it's awesome. When my patient sleeps or is being held by family members, I can work on school stuff. On cases where the patient needed very little interaction, I could easily knock out everything I needed to do for the week. I don't have to choose between work and study time this way, and I never feel stretched too thin. Some companies offer differentials (my one classmate worked weekend hospice night shift. With differentials, it was 26 bucks an hour, and she only had to work 32 hours and they paid her for 40!)

6. Roomies - I moved back home. We also took in roommates for spare bedrooms. I still pay rent to my Mother, but if I'm in a pinch and need a really expensive book or take a financial hit for some reason, I have a safety net. I know it isn't an option for everyone, but just putting it out there!

vintagemother, BSN, CNA, LVN, RN · Oct 17, 2013

Thanks Commuter!