Already have B.S. and want B.S.N.-How do I pay for it?

[turgy]

I have decided in the last two years that I would like to return to school to become a nurse. I already have a B.S. in Family and Human Services and will soon have my Masters in Special Education. This is my second year teaching at the high school level. I thought that by going into teaching I would be able to save enough money to attend Nursing school full-time within two years. It has not worked out that way and I see myself teaching for a long-while before being able to save enough to attend school full-time.

I have talked to several people at the colleges around here (AZ). I have asked about scholarships or other funding and it seems as if there are not many well-known resources available for students who already have their undergrad degree. I have about 1 year in credits to complete before I can even apply for nursing school.

Any suggestions on how I can get to nursing school?

Thanks,

Tiffany

[heatherbless]

I am also a second degree student with a masters in counseling--there are some hospital programs where you can ask about scholarship reimbursement-they will pay your way--if you work for them....check out the larger hospiatls there and talk to the nurse recruiters. Also, loans are there if you really want to go--I feel that strongly about it--you just have to fill out the FAFSA-financial aid form and then go from there.

Best, hty/

[sundevil]

Tiffany,

I'm not sure where in Arizona you live or if you're aware of this already, but UofA has a program specifically designed for second-degree students. It's accelerated (14 months ?) and has a decreased amount of pre-requisites. The highlight of the program, of course, is that your tuition is paid for via a partner hospital. In exchange you have to work for 2 years for that hospital after you graduate (I think). NAU has a program similar to this.

Many hospitals in the Phoenix area have tuition reimbursement programs where they'll either pay your tuition in advance in exchange for future work or give you money to repay your nursing loans (while you are employed).

Hope this info helps and good luck!

[Sarah Kat]

Here's another option, loan forgiveness. For nursing, it's specifically called Nursing Education Loan Repayment Program. Basically what you do is take out student loans, then once you graduate and get licensed, you get yourself a job at a facility that is considered a "critical shortage facility". Check out the above link for all the info.

[PMHNP10]

This was the most frustrating thing for me when I returned to school. I was no longer eligible for a pell grant, nor subsidized loans. I tried my bank and they can give me a loan but I have to start repaying immediately. How does that help me? My education lasts a little beyond the immediately part. My credit was wonderful, yet no loan for someone to use to live off of while going to school. Also, my nursing school had nothing to offer. Money was the only thing keeping me from initiating my childhood dream. One day I decided to call the financial aid office where I got my bach degree from and they led me to a loan company. With this company you can get up to like $15,000 for education and use it for anything you want while attending a nursing program. I ended up getting 2 loans from them and have them consolidated at a

I'm not so sure I am allowed to post the name of the company on this BB, so feel free to message me if a loan is an option for you. Good luck, regardless.