I think we need a second degree student section...

Bridgett · Apr 25, 2008

I agree!

Bridgett · Apr 25, 2008

How in debt we already are from our previous degrees (OUCH!)...
How to pay for nursing school when you don't qualify for more loans...
The ADN vs BSN debate when you already have the undergrad degree...
Our previous careers/degree before pursuing nursing...
Take care!:redbeathe

I'm in debt from Degree #1 and haven't found a great job to help with that debt! Currently I'm a SAHM, so I'm not looking though.

I haven't looked into loans for nursing school, will I really not qualify for anything if I already have a Bachelor's in something else?? shoot!

I don't see the point of another BS degree if I can get away with an AS! I agree with that! I wish I would have gone for the nursing degree in the first place, but back then I was working full time and trying to support myself through school.

It would be nice to have a place to discuss these issues. There seems to be a lot of us in this situation!

EricJRN, MSN, RN · Apr 25, 2008

We've discussed it before in the staff forums. At one point, I think we were talking about a Non-Traditional Student Forum (older students and second degree students) or a Career Changers Forum.

One of the considerations is that we already have so many forums that each new one creates new staff/bandwidth/organization issues. However, we frequently evaluate this kind of thing, so stay tuned.

Isitpossible, LPN, LVN · Apr 25, 2008

yes, i agree...it's funny, today i was thinking about how i'm going to PAY for NS school...since i have one BA already...and i believe their is a CAP on the amount of financial aid i could recieve...Sallie Mae told me yesterday it was somthing like $18,000... well i'm already $10,000 in...it would be sooo much easier if i were going for a Masters...so this really concerns me...and i am too old (37) to waste time/money...my pre-reqs start in less than 3 weeks, and i STILL don't know where i stand with financial aid...this sucks big time... :bugeyes:

SparklyGirl · Apr 25, 2008

I agree that the *idea* is nice. However, if anything, I feel this place has too many forums already. Threads I am interested could be posted anywhere in about 4-5 different forums, which means I usually check each of them every week or so. And some forums move so slowly, it is a bit discouraging to try to post to them.

I would actually prefer fewer forums (and hence each one would move more swiftly) :)

But like I said, I do agree with your suggestion in theory, especially since I am a 2nd degree student. :)

Jul2bRN · Apr 25, 2008

Tell me about it. That's why even though I would love to go back and get another Bachelors degree or even masters, I can't afford it. Not w/me being a stay-at-home mom. I already used up the grants and such for my first degree and truthfully I hate the idea of owing money which is why I think it's better for me to just go with an Associates (which I also already have) so that I when I'm finished for second time :uhoh3: what I make will be mine for my family and not the schools. (Not that loans are bad, I just hate interest costs. But I'm glad we have them to fall back on.) Especially since I just got into an uproar w/my Mom regarding my husband & kids. And the sad thing is I do need her to help me when I go back to school again. :uhoh21:. (babysitting duty) So I'm kind of :bluecry1: :scrying: :banghead: . O/well that's life.

Thanks for listening. Just needed to vent.

GOOD LUCK TO EVERYONE. WE WILL BE NURSES AND WE WILL SUCCEED.

Kimberley.RN · Apr 25, 2008

I have a Business degree. Never really did anything with it, but education is never a waste. I'm debating the ADN/BSN question also. I'm 40 and don't want to take loans but want to get done as quick as possible. The ADN programs are more impacted and in CA anyways the lottery system is crazy. 900 apps for 20/30 spots? I don't have the greatest luck anyway... I am leaning toward the ABSN just because it's shorter (1 yr) but I'm going to apply everywhere. It's frustrating because all the programs have different requirements, so more classes you need to take. I have to believe it'll all be worth it in the end, but right now it's just plain stressful! Thanks for listening!

PreRN Katie · Apr 25, 2008

It's nice to know there's other people in the same boat I'm in! I'm actually graduating with my 1st degree on 5/13 and then I start right back with summer classes for the rest of my prereqs (only 3 left!) on 5/29. I'm lucky to have gotten the HOPE Scholarship which paid all my tuition for my first degree so I don't have any loans to pay on as of yet. God bless the Georgia lotto! I just wish I would've used it towards my nursing degree rather than my c.j. degree but oh well, hindsight is 20/20.

I'm so frustrated with how competitive it is to get into nursing schools, and also the fact that GA only has a few accelerated BSN programs. At the school I currenty attend, they have about 750-800 applicants for the nursing program and they only accept about 90:uhoh3:...I'm not holding my breath on that one. I'm applying to about 12-15 schools for Fall 09...both ADN and BSN programs. Good luck to everyone!!!

touchhealth · Apr 25, 2008

The 2nd degree students all seem to struggle with these similar questions for how to enter the nursing profession.

I was the first person in my family to go to college, and my parents had zero advice on student loans or even majors (I majored in Cross-cultural Religion w/ a Bio minor because those were the subjects I liked to study...didn't really think about how that would relate to a real-world job.)

I've already got tremendous debt from the first degree. I don't regret getting to study so much of what I love, it was pretty luxurious, but my first set of student loans is definately an extra burden now that I'm trying for a nursing degree.

Definately think the ADN is the way to go in terms of price, but love the idea of an accelerated BSN in terms of time and getting into the workplace fast.

A lot of us are older too...I'm only 27, but want to start a family before hitting the 30 mark so I've got the biological clock to factor in too. Direct entry Master's programs have a lot of appeal, but are 3-4 years before really getting into the workforce! Direct-entry programs are real pricey too, especially for the first pre-licensure year. Just makes my mind spin!!! :bugeyes:

There are LOTS of students like us, all struggling to find our way. It's pretty thrilling yet difficult to navigate so many variables.

Best of luck to everyone!

Audi02 · Apr 25, 2008

I love this thread. It is so nice to hear from people going through the same thing as I am. I can relate to the financial problems. There is no assistance for people in our situation. And most of us are now in bigger financial obligations than we were in our original college years. I'm just starting nursing school, and praying I can keep up with my mortgage over the next two years. I am choosing the AS degree just for financial reasons. the community college is the only way I can afford to go. Does anyone know if this is a major pay difference when we start work? I'm also very stressed about doing this. What if I hate this as much as my first degree. I'm scared to waste 2 years of my life and a lot of debt, just to be right back where I was before. It is very exciting, but very scary.

Ru004 · Apr 26, 2008

It's good to know your not alone. I've been accepted into nursing program for this coming fall at a community college and thank goodness the program isn't that expensive because I don't want to take out any substantial amount in school loans. It is true that you have more responsibilty when returning to school ( car payment, school loans,rent, etc.). For the next 2 years things are going to be tight but I think it will be worth it in the end. I've had to stop beating myself up about not going to nursing school the first time around but I do realize I didn't know what I wanted to do as a 19 year old college student so everything happens when it's supposed to.