Help - what are our options re: nursing school?

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Sorry this is so long, but I'd really like some advice.

After a great deal of thought on the matter, my husband has decided to change his career to nursing. He currently has a bachelor's degree in journalism.

Unfortunately, we are not financially able to live on just my income. Right now, he is taking his pre-requisite courses to apply to Kennesaw State's accelerated BSN program. Our plan is to basically take out a lot in student loans to get him through school as quickly as possible (and I've heard there are some great loan repayment programs out there, so I'm hoping he'll qualify to ease some of the debt).

However, I've been hearing about how difficult it is to get into Kennesaw's nursing program, and I'm getting worried. I've heard that to have any shot of being accepted, out of the 12 prerequisite courses, and applicant must have 7 A's. My husband has 2 or 3 A's and three courses to go - and realistically, with him working full time and taking both anatomy and biology at the same time, it's likely that he'll get a B or two. If it makes any difference, KSU's Jasper program would actually be just as close as Kennesaw.

If he doesn't get into KSU, what other options do we have? I imagine that the accelerated programs at GSU and Emory are even more difficult to get into? It also doesn't help him that his undergraduate GPA is bad - something like a 2.8.

Perhaps another option if he doesn't get in to KSU is for him to continue working full time while working towards an ASN (he'll have all the science courses and general ed courses already). Then, as soon as he has his associates, he can get a nursing job and take courses towards his bachelor's. However, I have two concerns about this:

1. What schools can he get into that are in a reasonable distance from our house in Canton?

2. How is he going to be able to work full time while taking classes during the day? It doesn't matter what kind of job, but he needs to earn at least $25,000 per year. Are there any hospital/medical jobs that have flexible hours that would pay enough?

I'm sorry this is long, but I'm just stressing out about our financial future. We're already taking out student loans to finance the prerequisite courses, so I want to know that him getting through nursing school is actually an obtainable goal.

Thanks in advance for your help.

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I know you had lots of questions, but why not go for the ASN first, get hired at a hospital and let them pay for the BSN? North GA has a great nursing program too..don't know much about Kennesaw though

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The ASN would take as long as, if not longer than, the accelerated BSN, which is why we prefer an accelerated BSN program - if he can get into one of these programs. We just want him done as quickly as possible so he can start working and earning a decent salary.

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THe Hope Grant will cover his prereqs. I'm taking mine at a community college and listed my major as LPN. As long as you're taking classes that are required for a diploma or certificate program, the Hope Grant will cover tuition up to 95 credit hours and you get a small stipend to help with books.

Has your hubby thought about going for his LPN first (which takes about a year) and then bridging over to his RN and BSN? That way you'll only be out of his income for 1 year and he could work while doing the bridge program(s). Plus, with the Hope Grant covering the LPN diploma and an employer paying for the bridge programs, your husband could possibly get all his schooling paid for for free and maybe even be done in less time. Just a thought.

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Specializes in ER.

GSU and Emory are actually easier to get into than KSU.

Emory will let you in with a C in one of the prereqs.

GSU takes about a third of its applicants.

Last year, KSU took 271 out of 1734. (Year round numbers). KSU has the highest NCLEX pass rate in Georgia.

Spring semester is easier than other semesters to get in at all of the programs, except for Emory because they don't admit in any semester except Fall.

I just started accelerated at KSU. There are a lot of folks in the same shoes as you two are! Good luck!

Georgia Perimeter has an ADN program if you have an interest.

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I would suggest going the Associate route 1st - its only about 4 months longer. The accelerated programs are very rigorous and time consuming and with family commitments it might be a little more tougher.

Chatahoochie Tech in Marietta and Gwinnett Tech are both starting Associate programs next year (2009)

BTW, I live in Canton too, and I know Gwinnett Tech is far, but with the increase of nursing school apps, it might be better to explore other schools that are not too close.

Best of Luck

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Specializes in ER, Peds, Informatics.

Hi there, Do not go the ADN route. If he already has a bachelor's he will need to take extra classes and it will take longer than doing an accelerated BSN program. I am an accelerated BSN student at KSU and it is very intense. I do not work and my husband and I live off of student loans and his income (Which is not alot). We cut our cable, telephone and cut way down on basically everything but the essentials. It is almost impossible to work in an accelerated program, but I do know ONE accelerated student that works 12 hours a week. KSU is harder to get into than both GSU and Emory because it is by far the best bang for your buck. My tuition runs about $2000 per semester plus $300-$500 for books. I get the max unsubsidized stafford loan of $5250 per semester. However, there are scholarships available. And in the end, the sacrifice is definitely worth it. If you need more info, pm me.

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Specializes in being a mom to 3 rambunctious kids.

In response to the post saying not to go the ADN route because he would be required to take more classes......that depends entirely on where he goes to school. Different schools require different classes as their pre-reqs. My reccomendation would be to check into the pre-reqs of the different schools he is considering. Most schools post on their websites what the pre-reqs are for each program, and if not, call the school and ask. As for me, I am 34, wife and mother to 3 young children, hubby is a truck driver and after a 13 yr hiatus, I have returned to school. I will begin classes for my ADN in October at our local Technical College, graduate in 2010 then immediately after passing boards, I plan to apply for the dual BSN/MSN degree program at our local university. We also have only one income, and our kids are 11, 9, and almost 7. I have no student loans, only the Pell Grant. It can be done, but you must be good at budgeting your money down to the last penny. BUT, you must be willing to do without the luxuries and be happy with the necessities. Best of luck to you both!

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In response to the post saying not to go the ADN route because he would be required to take more classes......that depends entirely on where he goes to school. Different schools require different classes as their pre-reqs. My reccomendation would be to check into the pre-reqs of the different schools he is considering. Most schools post on their websites what the pre-reqs are for each program, and if not, call the school and ask. As for me, I am 34, wife and mother to 3 young children, hubby is a truck driver and after a 13 yr hiatus, I have returned to school. I will begin classes for my ADN in October at our local Technical College, graduate in 2010 then immediately after passing boards, I plan to apply for the dual BSN/MSN degree program at our local university. We also have only one income, and our kids are 11, 9, and almost 7. I have no student loans, only the Pell Grant. It can be done, but you must be good at budgeting your money down to the last penny. BUT, you must be willing to do without the luxuries and be happy with the necessities. Best of luck to you both!

Hi, Can I ask which sch u go to?

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