Just want to be a nurse =)

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I was enrolled in an Associates degree nursing program for a full year. I did very well in the Foundations of Nursing(first semester) as well as the clinical aspects. However, when Med-Serg rolled around I had a harder time with it. The passing grade in the school was an 80, and I received a 76 on my final exam which resulted in a grade of an F and to be terminated from the school. It was completely devestating and discouraging.

6 months later I'm ready to get back into nursing school and I'm currently searching for one in the NY/NJ area My parents no longer support my decision to be a nurse because they refuse to pay for school anymore. I am desperately seeking advice about student loans/grants/scholarships/financial aid. I am a young Caucasian female and I'm willing to do whatever it takes to get through school. I'm worried that I'm going to have a hard time getting a loan because I don't have good credit and I don't have anyone to cosign. I dont know why they make it so hard for someone to get into school to be a nurse when theres such a shortage! I really need some guidance, since I'm doing this all on my own. Any input can help :idea:

Thank you, TD.

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Hi there:

One of the things I did to pay for school was to get a second job. I was able to pay for the all of my prereq's that way.

If your grades are high enough (which I'm sure they are!) see if you can obtain an academic scholarship. That way, you don't have to worry about a cosigner. Also look into work study at whatever school you go to.

Steph

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Specializes in Infection Preventionist/ Occ Health.

Given you history of academic difficulties, I would not recommend taking a second job to pay for school. I have seen time and time again that the students who struggle most with school are the ones who spend too much time working. I took out student loans for both of my undergraduate degrees, but it paid off because my higher grades qualified me for scholarships and helped me to land better jobs once out of school.

Remember, if you can't pass through the nursing program because you're working too much and graduation is delayed yet again, you will be not only be losing tuition money, but you will also losing out on the higher income that you could have been earning as a nurse. This is called opportunity cost.

Federal student loans do not require a co-signer. However, because of your age you will have to submit your parents' financial information on your FAFSA (Free Application for Student Aid). http://www.fafsa.ed.gov

Depending on your parents' income and assets, you may not be able to qualify for grants or subsidized loans (unsubsidized Stafford or Direct loans are easier to obtain). Parental PLUS loans require a parental co-signer, so they may not be an option for you.

Strongly consider what your parents have to say when they state that they will no longer support your schooling. What is their rationale, and is there any way that you can earn back their trust? Having them in your corner for emotional support (if not financial support) during nursing school could be very beneficial.

If you parents truly do not financially support you in any way, you can contact your school's financial aid officer to find out how to be declared independent for the purposes of financial aid. However, they have made this more difficult in recent years so even if your parents don't give you a dime you may not be able to omit their information from your FAFSA Here is the federal eligibility worksheet. http://www.finaid.org/calculators/dependency.phtml

If all else fails, you may be able to find another relative (grandparent, aunt, uncle, etc) who is willing to co-sign for a private student loan.

Good luck with your plans. There are many of us who made it through school with no parental financial support (in my case, my mother did buy me food and necessities from time to time, for which I am grateful). You may find in the end that you are a stronger person for the struggles that you have endured at a young age.

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Specializes in SICU/CVICU.

Federal loans are not based on credit, they are based on need. I am not sure how much you need, but since you are a dependent student, you (most likely) would be able to receive a maximum of $4,500 per year I believe. Have you filled out the FAFSA? If not, you should definitely do so because this is what you need to do in order to get grants and federal loans. You might be surprised how much you can get in grants if you apply early enough. Unfortunately, you must have your parents tax information since you are under 24. If they won't co-sign a loan, do you think they would atleast give you their information so you can take out a loan on your own?

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Have you looked into scholarship opportunities offered by local hospitals? I know the hospital in my area will offer nursing students about 1000 every semester for the duration of their education. The catch is you either work for the hospital, or pay back the money, about $50/month, once you get out of school. I think there may be ceratin things you are required to do, such as attend tutoring sessions, if your school even offers these. But do look into the local hospitals as to what they may offer. Also, some hospitals may have their own nursing school, and will pay for your education if you work for them for 2-3 years, depending on how much money you get from them.

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Specializes in Behavioral Health, Show Biz.

In the meantime...;)

Purchase a good Med-Surg Nursing Review book with answers/rationales and study, study, study until Med-Surg is coming "out-of-your-eyes, nose and ears."

Seriously.

You want to PASS this time.

Many Nursing Schools require that you maintain a "B" average.

Stay on top of your game.

We all will be waiting for you, Nurse!;)

:welcome:

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What are the grades for your prerequisites? Have you tried applying to a BSN program? The failing grades for Bachelors are lower at this level, hence a better chance for the student to pass. The drawback is that of course is that you need a nice gpa and strong entrance exams to get in. Some say student's treated in Univ. level is a little better.

If you're in Cali, I can name a school that only goes by GPA which is very helpful. It's understandable that they want you to get at least a B in the med surg course, since it's one of the foundation classes for nursing, and besides you're in charge of lives as a nurse, so it's understandable they want you to know your stuff.

Good luck. In regards to loans, i'm not sure what age you have to be to be considered independent, but once you are, financial aid is able to help more. I would have to agree with the others. For now, get a Job, save, and then go at it again. It's too bad you're parents are so unsupportive financially, but lol !! don't worry you will chose their nursing homes...heh heh :lol2:

I was enrolled in an Associates degree nursing program for a full year. I did very well in the Foundations of Nursing(first semester) as well as the clinical aspects. However, when Med-Serg rolled around I had a harder time with it. The passing grade in the school was an 80, and I received a 76 on my final exam which resulted in a grade of an F and to be terminated from the school. It was completely devestating and discouraging.

6 months later I'm ready to get back into nursing school and I'm currently searching for one in the NY/NJ area My parents no longer support my decision to be a nurse because they refuse to pay for school anymore. I am desperately seeking advice about student loans/grants/scholarships/financial aid. I am a young Caucasian female and I'm willing to do whatever it takes to get through school. I'm worried that I'm going to have a hard time getting a loan because I don't have good credit and I don't have anyone to cosign. I dont know why they make it so hard for someone to get into school to be a nurse when theres such a shortage! I really need some guidance, since I'm doing this all on my own. Any input can help :idea:

Thank you, TD.

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Specializes in Med/Surg.

Just curious.....

what does being a "young caucasian female" have to do with the price of rice in China? :trout:

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Just curious.....

what does being a "young caucasian female" have to do with the price of rice in China? :trout:

yeah, that caught my eye as well, the only thing i could think of was that she wouldnt qualify for minority status....

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I got some scholarship information from my MSN program and it did have some special scholarships available to Native Americans, men, and other groups who are not prominently represented in nursing. I don't think she meant anything, except that as a white female, she would not be considered a "minority" in terms of funds available to those who are members of minority groups. If she were majoring in something like engineering, as a woman, she would qualify for some of these type of scholarships.

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Just curious.....

what does being a "young caucasian female" have to do with the price of rice in China? :trout:

When you're talking scholarships, demographics mean everything!

In my scholarships searches I've seen special designations for:

race, gender, creed, single parent status, first family member to attend college, "non-traditional student" (which usually means older....) even vegetarianism! There are scholarships available to male nurses or to female engineers or to children of fallen officers and miltary personnel. So, it really is pertinent information

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Your state may offer aid to you and your church, if you're involved, will help also. My entire college education, so far, has been paid by grants that were made possible by the FASFA. Do the FASFA as early in the year that you can so you can get more money. I do the FASFA on my own w/o my mother's help. You're older than me so you can do it!! Take pride in yourself and what you have to offer. Stay prayed up and everything will fall into place...

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