Can't afford nursing school

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Specializes in PCU/ICU.

yup, I can't take any private loans due to a current open bankruptcy and my federal loans will only allow me to take 9500 because I have used a majority of it for my first bachelors degree, which is a complete worthless degree that I will never go into that field.....I can apply for scholarships but none are enough to pay for ABSN program....dont have anyone that will cosign for me hence the bankruptcy.....I want to become a nurse so bad and have finished a lot of my prerequisites....I hate being in a financial bind...any advice would be helpful

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Specializes in Nursing Professional Development.

My suggestion is to delay (not abandon) your dreams of becoming a nurse for a while. Get a job and start saving a portion of each paycheck for school in the future. Clean up your current financial mess by working whatever job will pay you adequately, which might not be the job you will like the best.

Look for a job in a place with a generous tuition reimbursement plan. There are some hospitals that offer $5000 per year in tuition reimbursement. There are others that offer tuition assistance if you attend "their" nursing school and/or sign a contract to work for them after graduation.

Look at getting an Associate's Degree in Nursing at a local community college. That will probably be your cheapest option. A federal loan that you say you are still eligible for ... some tuition reimbursement ... and some personal savings should be sufficient to cover that.

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Specializes in ICU.

I also recommend getting your ADN at a community college first - My degree will run me about $3,000 for all 4 semesters. That figure is including tuition for all 4 semesters, BLS cert, uniforms, fees, shoes, and supplies. (I'm also paying in state tuition because I am a resident of the county.) Every school's book package is different, so my books were $2,000 for all semesters. The you can find an employer that can assist you with getting a BSN using their tuition reimbursement program if they have one. The ADN is much more attainable with the $9,500 you are currently eligible for.

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Specializes in Psychiatry.

I agree with the people above. The most logical thing to do given your situation is to go to a community college and avoid accruing any more loans.

7 hours ago, llg said:

There are some hospitals that offer $5000 per year in tuition reimbursement. There are others that offer tuition assistance if you attend "their" nursing school and/or sign a contract to work for them after graduation.

Absolutely. Take advantage of this. If/when you get your associates in nursing, you can enroll in an online RN-BSN program and work full time if you choose to.

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Specializes in Med/Surg.
On 7/23/2019 at 12:03 PM, babysplash said:

I also recommend getting your ADN at a community college first - My degree will run me about $3,000 for all 4 semesters. That figure is including tuition for all 4 semesters, BLS cert, uniforms, fees, shoes, and supplies. (I'm also paying in state tuition because I am a resident of the county.) Every school's book package is different, so my books were $2,000 for all semesters. The you can find an employer that can assist you with getting a BSN using their tuition reimbursement program if they have one. The ADN is much more attainable with the $9,500 you are currently eligible for.

While I agree with the ADN being way cheaper route, it also depends on the location. I'm in CT and between tuition (and this is ONLY the nursing/pharm coursework)books, and supplies I probably spent like 10-11Kish total on the ADN program here.

Man I wish I only had to pay $3K total...that would have been awesome.

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Specializes in PCU/ICU.

Thanks guys! The advice helped and I enrolled in a local community college. I will get my ADN and after that do a bridge program for RN to BSN. I wanted to avoid this route because it will take me longer but I don’t have the financial stability right now to afford ABSN route. And wow 3000 dollars would have been awesome! That doesn’t exist in N.J. my program will run me about 10,000 and that’s with books and supplies/ scrubs included. Here I go! My journey begins fall 2019 at Camden County College! Wooohoo ?

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Specializes in Med/Surg.

Awesome! It'll go by quickly, trust me on this. I just graduated from my ADN program in May, passed my NCLEX earlier this month, and start my new job next month!

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Specializes in PCU/ICU.

Wow awesome! Congrats! And thank you for the inspiration!

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Specializes in Mental Health.
15 hours ago, Sjean31 said:

Thanks guys! The advice helped and I enrolled in a local community college. I will get my ADN and after that do a bridge program for RN to BSN. I wanted to avoid this route because it will take me longer but I don’t have the financial stability right now to afford ABSN route. And wow 3000 dollars would have been awesome! That doesn’t exist in N.J. my program will run me about 10,000 and that’s with books and supplies/ scrubs included. Here I go! My journey begins fall 2019 at Camden County College! Wooohoo ?

I think in the long run you will be very happy with that decision. In many places your ADN will get you the same jobs as a BSN, so financially it makes a lot more sense to have your employer help pay for the bridge program than to do it all yourself. Even if you wanted to go on and do an advanced degree, you should have some RN experience first, which you will get while working on the BSN. It's a good decision from every angle. ?

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Specializes in PCU/ICU.

Thank you! ?

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Specializes in PCU/ICU.

I have just passed my NCLEX.  I am officially a nurse.  Looking back at this makes me remember what I went through to get here! I ended up getting a full scholarship through HRSA that paid for my entire ABSN program.  I am so grateful, it hurts to smile.  Thank you all again for the advice!

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41 minutes ago, Sjean31 said:

I have just passed my NCLEX.  I am officially a nurse.  Looking back at this makes me remember what I went through to get here! I ended up getting a full scholarship through HRSA that paid for my entire ABSN program.  I am so grateful, it hurts to smile.  Thank you all again for the advice!

This is very inspiring and although I do not know you in person I'm proud of you ?

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