How am I gonna pay for this???

lebelesprit_ · Apr 11, 2017

I know the CC point system seems intimidating, but it's just to make sure students are properly prepared for the nursing program. I'm sure the program at Watts is just as challenging, if not more, than the CC programs. I would agree with everyone saying to keep persevering with your prereqs at the CC. You can definitely still get in if you have a C or two.
Also, if you plan to work as a CNA during nursing school, I would try to get into a hospital before you start nursing school. I work at Rex as a CNA, and they will provide some tuition reimbursement, but you have to work there 6 months before you can apply for the assistance. You also have to work at least part time (24 hours a week) to be eligible. I'm sure this is similar at Duke and Wakemed.
It will take some work and perseverance, but don't give up. Just make sure it's really what you want to do. Don't just settle for a program. In the past, I had been thinking about going to ECPI for the LPN program because there are no prereqs and no point system for acceptance. But there is no way I'd spend $35k to get an LPN. So I took a couple extra semesters to finish prereqs and apply to Wake Tech. Hang in there, if it's meant to be, you'll find a way.

Thanks darling. I dont think im goin back to school. I appreciate your response.

Semper_Gumby · Apr 15, 2017

Thanks darling. I dont think im goin back to school. I appreciate your response.

I'm sorry you're thinking about not going back at all; I certainly didn't mean to discourage you entirely! I think, in your situation, I might recommend slowly working through the pre-reqs at community college while you decide for sure whether you want to try going back or not. Do your best to make A's if you can to help give you as many points as possible and try again at the CC's; fortunately in that area, there are several to choose from! If you decide to just stick with your current jobs, that's great, but if nursing is something you really want to pursue after you've worked to make yourself as competitive as possible, then you can make that decision. I would still try to minimize your debt especially for living expenses, though (perhaps trying to remain employed while in school or something).

Good luck.

WookieeRN, BSN, MSN, RN · Apr 15, 2017

Thanks darling. I dont think im goin back to school. I appreciate your response.

I also don't want you to feel discouraged. Nursing school is just a large, difficult, yet rewarding jump. You just have to do what it right for you. I know tons of classmates that took living expense loans for all 4 semesters and they've still said it was 100% worth it for them. For me, I am trying to get married and buy a house relatively soon so adding more debt to the equation just wasn't worth it. I will be living bare minimum when I start my first nursing job to try to pay off as much as the student loan debt as possible (even with the anticipated loan reimbursement from Duke I will receive over the next 3 years).

lebelesprit_ · Apr 15, 2017

I also don't want you to feel discouraged. Nursing school is just a large, difficult, yet rewarding jump. You just have to do what it right for you. I know tons of classmates that took living expense loans for all 4 semesters and they've still said it was 100% worth it for them. For me, I am trying to get married and buy a house relatively soon so adding more debt to the equation just wasn't worth it. I will be living bare minimum when I start my first nursing job to try to pay off as much as the student loan debt as possible (even with the anticipated loan reimbursement from Duke I will receive over the next 3 years).

Thanks hun. I appreciate it but i think i should have kept my question to myself. Lol. I had formulated a plan to grt my rn, enroll in an rn to msn program and at that point determine if i want to pursue a dnp. Im 36 and have done my research so i thought i was well prepared but it seems in asking opinions, i left myself open for discouragement. It hurt that no one, that i remember, asked me what my plan was to pay it off, what my career goals were or anything. I thought this site was going to be a huge sister/brotherhood and source of support but i think i was oo optimistic. I do still feel passionate about going to rn school but im going to keep my plan to myself. Thanks for reaching back out. Im feely a little more encouraged.

lebelesprit_ · Apr 15, 2017

I'm sorry you're thinking about not going back at all; I certainly didn't mean to discourage you entirely! I think, in your situation, I might recommend slowly working through the pre-reqs at community college while you decide for sure whether you want to try going back or not. Do your best to make A's if you can to help give you as many points as possible and try again at the CC's; fortunately in that area, there are several to choose from! If you decide to just stick with your current jobs, that's great, but if nursing is something you really want to pursue after you've worked to make yourself as competitive as possible, then you can make that decision. I would still try to minimize your debt especially for living expenses, though (perhaps trying to remain employed while in school or something).
Good luck.

Thanks so much for reaching back out. I know what im going to do but at this point im not going to share it. Not pointing the finger at you or anyone else but i thoight i find support here as opposed to a bunch of "you need to"'s. For that reason im just gonna keep it to myself. Thanks for reaching out.

coneal783, ADN, RN · Apr 15, 2017

I don't think anyone was trying to be hurtful, just giving you some real things to think about. I know I will be saddled with massive student loan debt for years to come, mostly from previous degrees. But, I feel that nursing is worth it, and I am worth it, to invest in my future career. You have to think of it as an investment, and what it's worth to you. If you will love your career and feel satisfied, then it's definitely worth taking out loans. Afterall, we can't take money with us when we leave this world!

lebelesprit_ · Apr 15, 2017

Oh I know no one was trying to be intentionally hurtful but I think I just took it way harder because nursing is my dream. But I could not agree with you more!!!I was prepared to take out 100k in loans and way it back $1 at the time if I had to because this is something Ive been running from from for almost 20 years. Everyone says do your prereqs at a cc but thats not an option for me. I (hopefully) accepted into my first choice school and even with prereqs, Id have to start over there because they only allow you to transfer in a certain amount of credits. I just know that Im willing to make an investment but at the same time I know there are no guarantees that my plan to pay it off will prevail....but at least I have one. Does that make sense?

Semper_Gumby · Apr 16, 2017

I'm sorry you felt you weren't supported. That certainly wasn't intentional. You'll find the nurses here tend to be realists and pragmatic; they will offer support but with a healthy dose of reality. I always find it helpful to go to those who've been through it for advice or for a different perspective than I might have considered previously. Seeking wise counsel is never a bad idea even if it puts the kibosh on something you're passionate about (at least temporarily), and of course, posting on the internet, you have to be prepared for anything. It's good that you have a long-term plan in place; I, myself, am interested in being an NNP someday but first I have to get into a NICU (I found after graduating that it's not always possible to jump directly into one's dream job or specialty!), and hopefully pay off some of my current student loan debt (most from my first degree). Anyway, due to my experience and struggles with finding employment after both college and nursing school, I always encourage high schoolers to go to college with as little debt as possible even if that means not going to their $50k/yr dream college with no financial aid; I offer the same advice to anyone looking to go back to school. Student loan debt is a pain and can't be written off in bankruptcy, for example.

For what it's worth, most colleges only accept a certain number of transfer credits from other schools, in my experience. Just depends on if they have equivalent courses. Hope you get everything you're hoping for. :)