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

touchhealth · May 22, 2008

SO FRUSTRATED! :banghead:

The community college pre-nursing classes are SO competitive and hard to get into. I've spent the past three semesters clearing up an academic probation from 10 years ago (when I was a stupid 18 year old) ...even though I already hold a cum laude undergraduate degree from a different 4-year university, my local community college still has me on probation 10 years later...meaning I'm LAST to sign up for classes, and have to petition for it. This translates to NEVER getting into the main pre-nursing classes since they ALWAYS fill up early.

So now, for Fall 2008, I can finally enroll as a "returning student" with no petitioning or signing off of counselors. In fact, I now get to enroll 1st! I FINALLY got into Physiology...then realized it would mean taking an additional two days off a week from work.

As many of my fellow 2nd degree students know...debt from the previous degree can be such a pain in the @#$%!

I basically can't AFFORD to take off work for Physiology this semester :crying2: . I've opted for two night classes, but this also puts me out of the running for applying to the ADN program for Fall 2009 since they have an annoying new policy that all pre-requs be completed by the Fall semester prior to the Fall Semester you'd be enrolling. The accelerated BSN programs I'm looking at start too early for me to be doing any pre-requs in Spring also, so I can't apply there either.

UGH...this adds another year for just applying to ADN or BSN programs. I can still apply for a few accelerated MSN programs but they are such a long-shot...

Just had to vent!!

Thanks for listening:redbeathe

ymarti · May 22, 2008

I already have a B.A. in Economics and it's such a hassle to get financial aid. I have to file an appeal just to get federal loans, even though I'm still entitled to them even with a previous degree. I'm finishing up my pre-reqs right now. I have already applied to get into a nursing program and should be getting word in about a week as to whether I've been accepted or not. The good thing is, because of my bachelors, I didn't have to take as many prerequisites as others without one. My general education requirements were waived. I'm definitely much more focused this time around, however.

jbjorn2b · May 23, 2008

I am strating pre-requisites this Tuesday. My last day at my job is tomorrow!! In November I will have completed enough prereqs to apply to the accelerated second degree programs. Because I have a B.S. I am not eligible for grants, so I suspect you won't be either. However, the goverment just increased the federal stafford loan amounts to 5500 per year for first year students. I would make sure you fill out your fafsa. Once you get into nursing school, my understanding is that the stafford amounts are increasible due to the fact that you will be in a health related field.

Hope this helps. I don't know why you would have to file a petition to get federal loan money.

JB:yeah::tbsk:

kane77 · May 26, 2008

I think the accelerated BSN is great for people who already have their bachelors degree. I'm currently working on my MBA/MSHS degree and plan to apply to accelerated BSN program before I retire from the military. I could have gone through Exceslior ADN program, but my goal is to get my BSN degree, and I feel that I will learn more in a traditional classroom and with hands on clinicals. I spoke with a nurse recruiter at a local nursing program and she said that I have already completed 40/60 pre-reqs for the Accelerated program.

Here is great article:http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/search/s_498320.html

MotivatedOne · May 26, 2008

I'm about $40,000 in debt from my previous degree. Thankfully due to the inability to find a job right after graduating, I've been able to get a forebearance as well as get my loans deferred now that I'm back in school.

I've lucked up because the ABSN program I'm considering applying to is fully paid for by a local hospital. Might I suggest you check out a few hospitals in your area that offer loans in exchange for hours at their hospital. I'd have to sign a 3 year contract and although, 3 years in my opinion is a decent amount of time, I'll be getting paid during the process, so I'm fine with that NOW. It took some getting used to.

I agree, there should be a separate section for second degree students. Hopefully some day there will be.

Take care,

Tiff

SecondGenRN · May 26, 2008

I agree!!!

Let's see, took my first degree is Psychology, had a great time, but unfortunately, I'm now WAY in debt and don't have a lot to show for it. I don't regret taking my first degree though because now I am older and actually motivated to become a nurse rather than taking it "just because" as some of the younger students have...

touchhealth · May 28, 2008

I agree that accelerated BSN programs are my favorite option for 2nd degree students...one year, and you're out and working. But they're very expensive and only offered by private schools in my area (southern CA) ($30-40,000 + living expenses). There are supposedly great loan forgiveness programs available to off-set the costs.

My best friend just finished her ADN, and was accepted into a student nursing program (one of two out of 200 apps!) and she's starting w/ full benefits at $90,000/yr. I honestly had no idea nurses in my area were pulling in that much just starting out...and our community college tuition only costs $5,000 for the entire two year program!

But I also hear that many student nurses in her program aren't getting any jobs. Even MEPN students at UCSF are having trouble finding work placement in the Sf Bay Area. Because of the economic downturn, more nurses are coming back into the workforce to supplement other lost income, and that means less and less slots for new nursing grads. I've also learned that many nurses are relocating to California because the pay is so high.

There are just so many things to consider with all this! It's mind boggling...

I too am worried about financial aide..when it comes time for that. I'm scared I'm going to get accepted somewhere and not be able to get enough loans to go! In some ways, taking an extra year to apply to some of these programs might be helpful because I can keep working and paying down some of my current debt.

I do admit, despite the struggle of these current loans I am still very happy I got my original undergrad degree. Unfortunately it had little career value for me, but it terms of personal enrichment and knowledge I was very happy with it.

Good luck to everyone trying to navigate all these variables!!

:bugeyes:

Marysjrfan · May 28, 2008

As a second-degree student, you are eligible for Federal student LOANS, but not Federal GRANTS. There is a cap to the total amount of Federal loans you can have, but I don't know the exact dollar amount. I am so glad I kept my first-degree Federal student loan borrowing to a minimum! 'Cause man, now I *need* that money. :chuckle

I'm going to be a second degree student, and I have to disagree with you on not being eligible for grants for the second degree, because I just got doing my FAFSA onlne a few weeks ago, and they said I'm eligible. I'm no longer eligible for the OIG, which is the Ohio grant, but I still have eligibility for the Pell. I'm going to be in hock up to my wazoo too, because I have to take out the student loans to cover what the OIG would have covered if I had eligibility for that.

As far as the variety of first degrees I'm seeing here, I presently have an Associate's in Social Work and I have my state certification for Chemical Dependecy Counseling Assistant. I would have stayed in that field probably if it wasn't for the fact that I made a whopping $9.00 a hour after 3 years of college. I am already accepted to the program starting Fall of 09 and am spending this year getting my A&P, Micro, and a few oher things. Once I get done, my idea is to combine both degrees and do psychiatric nursing.

I love the idea of a special area for us second degree people too. If we can't get our own forum, I guess this thread will have to be it, right?

MotivatedOne · May 28, 2008

I'm going to be a second degree student, and I have to disagree with you on not being eligible for grants for the second degree, because I just got doing my FAFSA onlne a few weeks ago, and they said I'm eligible. I'm no longer eligible for the OIG, which is the Ohio grant, but I still have eligibility for the Pell. I'm going to be in hock up to my wazoo too, because I have to take out the student loans to cover what the OIG would have covered if I had eligibility for that.
As far as the variety of first degrees I'm seeing here, I presently have an Associate's in Social Work and I have my state certification for Chemical Dependecy Counseling Assistant. I would have stayed in that field probably if it wasn't for the fact that I made a whopping $9.00 a hour after 3 years of college. I am already accepted to the program starting Fall of 09 and am spending this year getting my A&P, Micro, and a few oher things. Once I get done, my idea is to combine both degrees and do psychiatric nursing.

I think that the person you were responding to was talking about getting grants with a bachelor's degree. Well I did a bit of research if you can call it that and came across this website which may be of help to some. According to the website, you can only get a grant for a postbaccalaureate degree in education or to get your teaching licensure.

http://www.ed.gov/programs/fpg/index.html

Marysjrfan · May 28, 2008

I think that the person you were responding to was talking about getting grants with a bachelor's degree. Well I did a bit of research if you can call it that and came across this website which may be of help to some. According to the website, you can only get a grant for a postbaccalaureate degree in education or to get your teaching licensure.
http://www.ed.gov/programs/fpg/index.html

That could be. It wasn't very clear though, so that's why I replied. I hope nobody thinks I was trying to start an argument here because I wasn't. I was just answering based on my experience.

nursin09student · May 28, 2008

I agree with everyone I do think we need our own forum, it will allow us to support each other from every standpoint, but if we can't get that this thread is great. I am also a second degree student who has been planning this change of career for about a year and a half. I have an Associates in Advertising and Public Relations and a Bachelors in Marketing. :typing

To off set a lot of cost, I moved out of my house and moved in with my Mother.(which was great for her because it meant she got to see her grandchildren everyday):loveya:

I started packing breakfast and lunch to avoid spending that money everyday, I also started parking about a quarter mile from my job instead of paying for parking.

I also started saving half of my paycheck, to have a little cushion once I am out of work.

Just a few tips to help with some of the things we worry about as being second degree student beacause most of us are a little older then 21 y.o.

Check out www.discovernursing.com, I will post again when I have the paper in front of me with websites that offer scholarships for nursing school. :heartbeat

lullaby · May 28, 2008

I am starting nursing school full time this summer. I already have a BA degree so i do not qualify for any Federal student loans so I have to take out all Private loans.

I am really worried because I do not have good credit, but my parents have excellent credit and they said that they would cosign with me.

My question is do you think I will be able to take out private loans even if i have bad credit but my parental cosigners have very good credit? My biggest fear is that somehow my bad credit will interfere with taking out private loans even though i have good cosigners?!

anyone else go through a similar private loan situation?

i'm very nervous!