So, as someone who already holds a couple of degrees, my best option is to apply to an Accelerated BSN. There are a few schools in NYC I will be applying to (in summer 2017 for summer/fall 2018 start) that offer 12-16 months programs. My thing is, obviously I will not be working because I would want to dedicate all of the time in the world to studying and successfully completing the program. So, here comes the obvious - money. At this point I do not see how money will come in, except for unemployment insurance. Since I already have worked full-time for 2 years and will have worked part-time for 2 years by the time I will apply, I think I may be eligible for UI. However, I am still not sure.
My question is, those of you who went through the accelerated route, and did not work, how did you manage to survive? I would very much appreciate your thoughts!
P.S. I am single and live by myself, so I have no one to lean on. (My parents are overseas).
I'm so glad I found this post. I am in a very similar situation as you. I also live in NYC and am at the tail end of completing my prereq's. I'm an older adult (46yrs old) and have been working as a fitness trainer for the last 18 yrs. I've reached a point now where I'm ready for a career change and am seriously considering applying to a college in NYC that offers an accelerated program (Hunter,NYU or columbia) This issue of money however has been a source of contention between my wife and I. I'm more of the idealist believing that "somehow" things will magically work in our favor allowing me to afford an accelerated program. My wife, the ultimate realist thinks otherwise saying there's no way in !@#@ we'll be able to pay our mortgage,maintenance, health insurance....etc without me working. In my heart I know she's right. I was looking into the generic program that Hunter College has....but it seems to have the most ridiculous prereq's that one must take before entering the program. At least with NYU & columbia the necessary prereq's are fairly reasonable that make sense. Decisions Decisions Decisions....
Hi, thanks for sharing your story. I do agree with you, money issue is a serious one. I did consider NYU and Columbia (obsessed with both); however, after attending their open houses and learning of how much their ABSN cost, my jaw dropped to the floor. I tried to rationalize for a few days to find ways to afford $97000, but I could not. Even after qualifying for their $27000 in grants, I would still not be able to afford the tuition. I already have a lot of student loan debt so I am not looking to rack up another $60000 on top of that. At least you have a spouse who may somehow support you in any way possible. The other thing is, loans may be the only option to cover the tuition, but then again, without being able to work, how in the world one can put the food on the table and pay bills? Everyone says "Oh, why don't you save up some money right now?" It is a great idea, but to even barely get by one needs around $15000 per year to pay rent and afford some food. Saving that much money will take me years. In any event, I hope everything will work out with you. Let me know if you would like to keep in touch.
I was a teacher before going into nursing. I hated teaching, but like nursing. They are entirely different.
Thanks for your reply, Horseshoe! I am still teaching part-time while completing pre-reqs 3/4 time. I hope to completely transition into nursing by 2019.
Good morning Future Nurse Info. As I mentioned before-I'm in the same boat as you when it comes to trying to afford an Accelerated Nursing Program. Quick question re: the prerequisites that I believe we're both trying to fulfill. I've finished the bulk of the necessary prerequisites. But it really depends if im going the Accelerated route or the non-accelerated. If im gojng for the Accelerated im basically done with my prerequisites. But if i go the other route I'd still need to take History(as i did poorly in undergrad) and Genetics and Organic chemistry. UGH....are you faced with this dilemma? I was seriously thinking of taking Chemistry 2(organic Chemistry) this semester just to feel like I'm doing SOMETHING in the pursuit of my nursing education. But, NYU and Columbia do not require Chem 2. They only require one semester . So part of me wonders why spend the $$$ and time enrolling in that course if its not even necessary. Also-are you volunteering anywhere? I heard Columbia and NYU strongly consider volunteering.On the flip side-Hunter College doesn't seem to care at all. Ugh....
Good morning Future Nurse Info. As I mentioned before-I'm in the same boat as you when it comes to trying to afford an Accelerated Nursing Program. Quick question re: the prerequisites that I believe we're both trying to fulfill. I've finished the bulk of the necessary prerequisites. But it really depends if im going the Accelerated route or the non-accelerated. If im gojng for the Accelerated im basically done with my prerequisites. But if i go the other route I'd still need to take History(as i did poorly in undergrad) and Genetics and Organic chemistry. UGH....are you faced with this dilemma? I was seriously thinking of taking Chemistry 2(organic Chemistry) this semester just to feel like I'm doing SOMETHING in the pursuit of my nursing education. But, NYU and Columbia do not require Chem 2. They only require one semester . So part of me wonders why spend the $$$ and time enrolling in that course if its not even necessary. Also-are you volunteering anywhere? I heard Columbia and NYU strongly consider volunteering.On the flip side-Hunter College doesn't seem to care at all. Ugh....
thanks-Lee
Once you mentioned genetics, I can clearly see you were talking about Hunter. This is why it is no longer on my list of schools to apply. I knew I would do terrible in genetics, so I could not afford messing up my GPA. I also considered NYU and Columbia, but after attending their open houses and learning of their tuition costs I reconsidered. I would not want to be paying off hundreds of thousands of dollars in loans till I am like a 100!
In terms of taking unnecessary pre-reqs, I, too, had to take some while a few schools did not require any. The reason for this is, taking that many pre-reqs would allow me to apply to more schools. Besides, if you take orgo, and you do not need now, you may need it later in your academic career, if you decided, let's say, go into CRNA.
look into LIUs accelerated program, expensive, but way cheaper. What i personally did was working and save before accelerated nursing school. I mean bust my ass with multiple incomes after i finished my BA. Then for ACN, take out more than you need in loans. For example if you need 20k maybe take out 30-40k and the rest of the money goes in your pocket for living expenses.
look into LIUs accelerated program, expensive, but way cheaper. What i personally did was working and save before accelerated nursing school. I mean bust my ass with multiple incomes after i finished my BA. Then for ACN, take out more than you need in loans. For example if you need 20k maybe take out 30-40k and the rest of the money goes in your pocket for living expenses.
Taking out loans for both the tuition and living expenses would be fine, had I not already had a ton of student loan debt...
I understand, but sometimes you have to do what you need to do in order to advance your career. Nurses in NYC for he most part start out with 80k. I think advancing your career is worth it
Hi, have you considered Mount Saint Mary College's adult degree completion program? It is one of the only ones I found that had night classes so that you could still work. It is a private school so it isn't cheap. Also, it isnt a great school from what I can tell, but it is a good option for those who want the BSN while still working.
Good morning FutureNurseInfo- I've been in the background following various threads on Lehman College for some time now and I couldn't help notice the numerous posts you've made(in the various threads) that align much with the situations/ questions that I'm currently facing regarding my Nursing pursuits. I have a previous degree (from waaaaaay back in 1995). I'm an older adult. I am looking for a way to balance my nursing pursuits with my need to draw in some sort of income ( I've got maintenance and a mortgage to take care of). I've finished all my science prereq's ( some at BMCC and the rest at Hunter College) . I applied to Hunter last Spring but I was denied admittance (even though I got straight A's in ALL my science prereq's !! I guess my NLN score wasn't good enough) So now I'm considering Lehman college's generic program. The nursing advisor at Lehman asked why I'm not considering applying to the accelerated program and I told her that I thought the Generic program might allow me the opportunity work ( at least part time) given that the curriculum moves at a slower pace compared to the accelerated. I was hoping just to get you feedback on this issue. I'm currently a fitness trainer living and working in NYC. Many of my clients (who are like family members to me at this point) I've had for over 18years and I work with them early mornings and some in the afternoon. As I mentioned, I was hoping the generic program would allow me some free time to work with these clients who have financially kept me afloat in NYC all these years...but....I'm afraid that much of the course load & clinical would be occurring at the same time I'd be working with these clients. So....now back to square one....how to possibly get a somewhat affordable nursing education in the NYC area that would allow me to stay financially stable training my clients during the mornings/early afternoons. Hmmmm....maybe I should just suck in up and go the accelerated root like what you're doing? I know you're incredibly busy but I'd REALLY APPRECIATE your feedback.
Unfortunately, you're gonna have to just work while you go to school. If you don't have the support to be able to go to school without working, then you really have no other choice. Even if you take loans, you still need some kind of steady income. It's not the answer you want, but you're gonna have to keep a job through school. Tons of people do it, and graduate and become great nurses
I'm not sure what your training schedule looks like, but the generic pathway at Lehman College is a lot more flexible. For most courses, they have morning and afternoon options (some courses are offered in the evening as well). You'll only be doing clinicals once a week, 7am-7pm. So you may only have to do very minor adjustments to your work/training schedule. If working is a must and taking 12 credits per semester while training seems overwhelming, you also have the option of completing the program in three years, instead of two. Once you start the program, you must complete it within 5 years - does not have to be exactly two years. You can also consider that. I know the ideal is to finish ASAP, but getting started and still finishing is better than not finishing at all. :)
FutureNurseInfo
1,093 Posts
Hi, thanks for sharing your story. I do agree with you, money issue is a serious one. I did consider NYU and Columbia (obsessed with both); however, after attending their open houses and learning of how much their ABSN cost, my jaw dropped to the floor. I tried to rationalize for a few days to find ways to afford $97000, but I could not. Even after qualifying for their $27000 in grants, I would still not be able to afford the tuition. I already have a lot of student loan debt so I am not looking to rack up another $60000 on top of that. At least you have a spouse who may somehow support you in any way possible. The other thing is, loans may be the only option to cover the tuition, but then again, without being able to work, how in the world one can put the food on the table and pay bills? Everyone says "Oh, why don't you save up some money right now?" It is a great idea, but to even barely get by one needs around $15000 per year to pay rent and afford some food. Saving that much money will take me years. In any event, I hope everything will work out with you. Let me know if you would like to keep in touch.