Calling any Watts School of Nursing Students!!!

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Hi all,

I have posted a few times about my worries on getting into a nursing program and just wanted to share that I got accepted to Watts School of Nursing in Durham. I am so excited and I was wondering if any Watts students (or from other programs) had any advice on how they have gone about financing their education. I never had to deal with financial aid when I got my undergrad a few years ago and Watts is pretty pricey, (about $30,000). I plan to do the tuition reimbursement program with Duke when I graduate but I'm worried about what to do right now. Any advice on financial aid or private loan experiences would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!!!:heartbeat

Yes, A grad works here at durham regional. She just graduated and she is 50. I am 41.lol

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I'll be 50 when I graduate. We have a classmate in our cohort who is currently 57.

I know upper classmen who are 60 or more.

So, yes.

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Wow! Thank you for your responses tps12 and Lilloman. I really appreciate knowing that there are other "older" students out there. So tell me....is it tough going back? Did either of you get financial aid? I'm a single mom so I'm afraid about the finances. Any advice here?

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Specializes in Cardiac - Adult.

There are a few options for financial aid. Remember to fill out your FAFSA at http://www.fafsa.ed.gov which is where your financial aid information will be awarded from (subsidized, unsubsidized, grants, ect.) Private financial aid is available as well. Some of the additional aid will have to be applied for after admission such as Sallie Mae and others that were suggested. At Watts all of the financial aid is handled by Mount Olive College, so make sure any school codes you enter for the fafsa are for Mount Olive College not Watts School of Nursing.

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Specializes in Goal: MSN in Women's Health/Family Pract.

Hi All, Congratulations to everyone starting in June and Jan. I have applied to Durham Tech for Fall admission and am waiting for a response. I would love to go to Watts and have heard that it is the best program in the area. However, my big concern is the expense. I would have to quit my job, which I would be doing for DT anyway but in addition to figuring out how to pay the mortgage and daycare, I would have a significantly higher tuition. I also fall under the category of people affected by the economy and we are still trying to do a short sale after two years that looks like it will end in foreclosure.

I know there is the tuition reimbursement in exchange for work at Duke for 3 years. However, I would like to get an MSN from Duke in the future. Anyone else planning on going for an MSN? If so, how are you paying for it? How does this work if I do the 3-year contract - can I also get them to simultaneously cover an MSN? This is the main obstacle to me going to Watts. If I go to Durham Tech, I can then go to work at Duke and get the tuition reimbursement for the MSN.

Anyone else thinking about this?

I'll be going to the next info session in April and also plan to test on the first week of April. I need to study but feel confident that I will do well. I had a high score on the NET... I also have to keep telling myself that nothing will stop me from achieving my goal of becoming a nurse. I just don't want to do so at the expense of my family. I need financial aid and need to plan it well. I am still paying off the loans from my first attempt at a B.S.

Thank you for any information you can provide.

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The expense worries me too. I was hoping to quit my job while attending, but I don't know if I'm going to be able to afford it. If you've got student loans over your head already, the CC route would probably be much more affordable. Good luck either way.

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Hello, I will be starting The MOC pre-reqs in June 2010 and like others I am alittle worried about the money! I also know there is alot of support to go back to school so I am optimistic that it will all work out!!! I am so nervous, but happy to start this new journey in my life. If anyone is starting same time please introduce yourself, it would be nice to know a couple of people before starting!

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I just found out I got into Watts :yeah: I start at MOC in June. I meet with MOC next week to get all the details. Money is a worry for me as well. I'm hoping the student loans will come through.

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Congrats everyone for getting in!

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hello, i am starting too next month. Taking math, a&p and religion at watts. other than that the rest online. The moc financial aid person was less than helpful and could not respond to my email with questions. Hopefully the finances will workout. trying to sell our house to downsize during the wson classes. see you there maybe.

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I will be starting MOC next month as well but I have a quick question about starting Watts in January regarding the clinical schedule. What time do clinicals and classes usually start? I am looking at daycare options and didn't know if I should find one closer to my home or one closer to Watts. Most daycares won't let you drop off too early in the morning so it would be great to have an idea of what the schedule is like so I know what daycare to choose. Any help would be great! Thanks!!!

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Classes usually start at 9am and run to about 3 or 4 at the latest, you clinical days will vary in start from 7 to 8am, maybe a bit earlier, depends on the site. I know in first semester we didn't have any earlier than that but you may have to travel 30 minutes from the school, depending on what clinicl sites they are using.

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