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

Jag815 · Oct 14, 2008

I know it's completely backwards, but I'm considering doing the LPN route, then the LPN to RN bridge route and at some point a BSN. For one, the cost is very affordable and the time it takes to complete the program is much less; the LPN route is less than a year (going FT) and a little over 1 year (if you go PT).

Unfortunately, I'm not working right now. It would be a great help if unemployment paid for the program, but more than likely they won't because I have a degree. I've been warned that since state funding is low, they must tend to those who do not have any education first. In addition, since I have a degree, I'm considered to be "marketable" even though the career I was is in not in demand and I'm still unable to find work.

Right now, I'm just kind of stuck at a dead-end. In the meantime, I've been taking some science classes at a community college mainly to keep me and my mind going, but also with the intentions of starting some sort of program in the future.

Scooter5 · Oct 14, 2008

I've got to agree- we do need a 2nd degree forum. We don't have the fears of school work and not getting accepted into schools, and numerous other differences. I hope they will consider our request!

Cari001 · Oct 14, 2008

I am also a second-degreer, but I haven't gotten into a nursing program yet. I graduated in May with a degree in Communications, but have always had a passion for nursing. I didn't get into the BSN program at my University (2 yrs ago), so I switched majors (BIG mistake! :)) And now I finally know what I want to do! Be a nurse! I am having a hard time starting school again (I have about 3 pre-reqs to complete), and deciding on ASN vs. BSN. The easiest route seems to be staying at my full-time job now, which pays the bills, but I know it's not what I should be doing. I hope to start my path to nursing though this upcoming Spring! Good luck to all those second degree students.. we can do it!:redbeathe

sunray12 · Oct 14, 2008

I know it's completely backwards, but I'm considering doing the LPN route, then the LPN to RN bridge route and at some point a BSN. For one, the cost is very affordable and the time it takes to complete the program is much less; the LPN route is less than a year (going FT) and a little over 1 year (if you go PT).
Unfortunately, I'm not working right now. It would be a great help if unemployment paid for the program, but more than likely they won't because I have a degree. I've been warned that since state funding is low, they must tend to those who do not have any education first. In addition, since I have a degree, I'm considered to be "marketable" even though the career I was is in not in demand and I'm still unable to find work.
Right now, I'm just kind of stuck at a dead-end. In the meantime, I've been taking some science classes at a community college mainly to keep me and my mind going, but also with the intentions of starting some sort of program in the future.

If you need financial aid then you're actually better off looking at direct entry master's degree programs than you are looking at LPN or ADN programs. Having a Bachelor's degree makes you eligible for graduate level fellowships and scholarships, etc. And you are also eligible for bigger student loans. As you said for anything leading up to a Bachelor's the aid priority is going to be for those who don't have a degree or training yet.

Nursing will be my third degree. I'm taking prereqs and working at getting some hours as a hospital volunteer a) because it's required by some of the programs I'm looking at, and b) I don't have any direct health care experience so I might as well get in the milieu and get a feel for what it's like to be a nurse.

I don't fear classwork but I do stress about finding time to do it and now I need to make time to volunteer as well. So it's always something. :)

Agrippa · Oct 15, 2008

If you need financial aid then you're actually better off looking at direct entry master's degree programs than you are looking at LPN or ADN programs. Having a Bachelor's degree makes you eligible for graduate level fellowships and scholarships, etc. And you are also eligible for bigger student loans. As you said for anything leading up to a Bachelor's the aid priority is going to be for those who don't have a degree or training yet.
Nursing will be my third degree. I'm taking prereqs and working at getting some hours as a hospital volunteer a) because it's required by some of the programs I'm looking at, and b) I don't have any direct health care experience so I might as well get in the milieu and get a feel for what it's like to be a nurse.
I don't fear classwork but I do stress about finding time to do it and now I need to make time to volunteer as well. So it's always something. :)

I dont know about this. I think that getting a private loan at a higher interest rate for a community college where the cost is about 70% cheaper for me than that of a public BSN program is better than going for an msn at a lower government subsidized interest rate. And for me personally, it wouldn't be prudent to go into a specialty/masters level without getting floor experience.

I also think we need a seperate second degree section.

sunray12 · Oct 15, 2008

I dont know about this. I think that getting a private loan at a higher interest rate for a community college where the cost is about 70% cheaper for me than that of a public BSN program is better than going for an msn at a lower government subsidized interest rate. And for me personally, it wouldn't be prudent to go into a specialty/masters level without getting floor experience.
I also think we need a seperate second degree section.

My point was specific to graduate degree programs where your financial might be met by aid you don't have to pay back such as scholarships and fellowships. A BSN is a second bachelor's degree which can tend to be more expensive than a graduate degree.

Direct entry MSN degrees prepare you to be a nurse generalist. If you decide to specialize that is something you would do after you get the MSN.

Crebre80 · Oct 15, 2008

YAY! I too am glad I found this site. I worked as a court reporter for 4 years and loathed it after a while. I am a single mom and will be working full time while in school. Oh yeah, did I mean I have about 70k in student loans?! :banghead: :smackingf... long ago I went to a private school to become a biomedical engineer. Most of the loan that I have is in the private sector, so I'm still eligible for a bit of federal loans, but I'm applying for all of the scholarships and grants that I can instead. I learned my mistake at a young age. I'm only 28 and have had this massive debt my entire adult life, but c'est la vie.