Future Nursing Student

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I live in Mississippi, and I applied to an LPN and RN program at a community college, but I am worried if I am going to be able to afford it. I no longer qualify for financial aid anymore. I can't get a pell grant because I've gone over the 12 semester hours because of changing my major several times and making the mistakes of withdrawing from school several times, and because of this I can't get a federal student loan either for a community college. I can only use the remainder of the student loan money for a university. I only have 1 more class left to get an associates of arts degree. My credit is not good because of bankruptcy. So I am trying to find some information on ways to pay for school without having to pay out of pocket. I've heard there are hospitals that will pay your tuition if you come work for them after you graduate, but I don't know where to start. I don't know of any private student loans that I can apply for because of my credit. Can someone please help? I am even willing to move to another state and work at a hospital there if they help out of state nursing students.

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Hmm, tough situation. I do not think any hospital will pay for you to get your RN. I mean, if you had your RN, and worked at a hospital as such, it might pay for your MSN, should you continue your education. The only thing that comes to my mind is, figure out how to pay for your tuition now, graduate, apply for Nurse Corps program. If you are selected, some, or all of your loans maybe covered if you agree to work in some very non-so-desirable facilities to work at. Also, are you single? If married, can your spouse somehow chip in? Any relatives to lean on?

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Specializes in PACU.

Hospital systems will pay towards you getting your RN if you fulfill certain criteria--usually being a certain employee for a certain amount of time, and going to a facility approved school/program. You will also still have to work for them during school. Many of these benefits do not cover tuition in it's entirely, but only a portion. I am applying to a hospital system that now gives you loan forgiveness over 3 years upon hire (up to $25k, with some critera), but I have to pay out of pocket for my program before then.

Your other option is to apply to any and every scholarship you can find out there. Every $50 counts.

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Specializes in Critical Care, Education.

PPs are offering great advice & information. Tuition reimbursement programs in healthcare are much lower than other industries. In my part of the country, it is very unusual for this amount to exceed $3000 per year. With your level of experience in this area, you already know that this will not buy much education.

I know quite a few people who (either by choice or circumstances) chose to utilize a "pay as you go" method for their nursing education. They literally worked to save up the money before taking the class(es). One guy worked as a CNA on weekends to pay his way through LVN school, then worked full time as an LVN while completing a bridge program for his RN. It's not easy, but he did it.

Since 2008 or so, it seems like everyone and their Great Aunt Sally is trying to get into nursing school. The competition is fierce and doesn't seem to be letting up. The problem is TOO MANY applicants. There is emerging data that shows there will most likely be a surplus of nurses in all but 5 states by 2025. So right now, there isn't much push for nursing scholarships or financial subsidies even for highly qualified applicants.

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Before you do anything else, take that one class to get your Associate in Art degree! Self pay if necessary; one class at a CC shouldn't come to more than a few hundred $$

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Hi! I am new to this site and don't know what I am doing. Not sure if I was supposed to start a new thread regarding my question and don't know how. I am looking into nursing, and need to finish some prerequisites before I can apply. I am located in NC, looked into South University and they are EXPENSIVE, then I read the reviews, and to say the least I want to stay away as I do not want to be ripped off. Can anyone recommend a school that has an accelerated BSN program? Or should I pursue ADN initially then try for the RN to BSN later? Any input would be appreciated.

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