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

nrenteria · Jun 24, 2008

Just an idea to pay for NS...Some local hospitals offer paid tuition and books for employees - even p/t employees and some offer it to volunteers. I have a BA in business and am working my way through prerequists and hopefully can afford to keep working while in NS. I'm just paying as I go. It's hard to work and go to school, my grades certainly reflect the fact that I'm stregthed too thin, but I'm not in a position to be granted a loan (bankruptcy a few years ago) and I don't want the added debt.

Good luck to anyone who is working on their 2nd degree. I think it's more difficult than getting the 1st degree. We're older and have more responsibilities - debt and family. It can be done. :yeah:

Justthething · Jul 4, 2008

I am a teacher by trade (BS in Elem. Edu., certified 1-8)

Decided not to work full time while my kids were younger. Now, I need to work full time and cannot get a job. I did keep my foot in education, however. I have always worked in some capacity in public schools (mostly subbing, tutoring, and Title work)

Now, I am so fed up with teaching field that I have been researching a different career path. I am still raising 3 children 6, 13, 16

What I have come up with is this:

a second degree accelerated program is too costly and time consuming and probably not really worth it in the long or short run; they seem to be more for people who are young (not married with children) and people for whom money is not an issue
I can get an associates and still work part time (hopefully in a hospital and get tuition reimbursement)
With an associates, I can become an RN and start out making good money (more than teaching) have prestige and respect as a professional and not take my work home with me when I clock out
Down the road, if I felt it was necessary or desirable to do so, I could go back to school and get my BSN

:smokin:Please feel free to comment on the results of my research and wish me luck on obtaining a job in a hospital (I do have 5 years exp. working in hospital doing clerical -15 yrs ago!) I have applied at 3hospitals (took me over an hour to fill out each application, partly due to my job experience)

I have spent so much time this summer just filling out job applications online.....they are required for teaching also. The days of mailing resumes and cover letters are just about gone. I did not think I would miss them, but I think I do:cry:

Justthething · Jul 4, 2008

Hello everyone,
I am also a 2nd degree student. I have a BSW. I have read and read about ADN vs. BSN. I have the opportunity to attend ETSU (East Tennessee Univ.) for a BSN. My biggest concern is the cost. I could attend a community college in NC for much less and get an ADN. I am already 40. Any advice? Thanks a bunch. Good luck to all!

I know several people who have an associates in nursing (took them approx two years) They all got excellent paying jobs right out of college and I never hear them complain about their jobs being hard, stressful or tiring. They also have very flexible schedules. They can take off without problem (for vacations) and work more when they want to.

I, too, am older (45) and would love to get an associates degree while working part time at a hospital for some reimbursement.

crystalrnin2012 · Jul 4, 2008

Hello! I am also a recent graduate who now had a change of heart! :) I have my BS in buisness managment, and working on my MBA right now w/ a couple of pre-reqs ( My mba is free, I work for University of phoenix, so why not? ) I am taking A&PI (7 weeks long) a MBA class (6 weeks long) and starting micro(4 weeks long) monday. I work full time, have 1 son, and a supportive hubby, I am doing so much right now, because my son is with grandma for the summer, so thought, right now is the best time to overload myself:) After I am done w/ my a&P1 I will do my a&P II and take my Phycology Clep and I will be done and have all my pre-req and co-reqs completed! I am applying to all of the local CC's here and hoping I get into a hospital sponsered program, Called Banner Nurse Fellow's program. It is funny, I see so many people say how hard all the classes are, and compared to my MBA this A&P is a walk in the park! I hope my micro is the same way!

Nice to see other people in the same boat I am in, I agree 2nd (or 3rd) degree people have a whole set of challenges than 1st degree people do! not that it is a good/bad thing it is just a challenge. For me, it is my family ( not my hubby) that don't get it. So I have not told them I decided to go to nursing school yet.

dcgrrl, ASN, RN · Jul 4, 2008

Wow! Sounds similar to my situation I have a BA in Communication, MA in Governmental Affairs. Most folks do not understand why I'm going back @ 34 yrs of age w/ 3 boys and a husband. Not everyone, family included, has been excited and supportive of my decision to go back.

Most folks don't even know because I choose not tell them unless it happens to come up. I got the green light from hubby to go back so that's all that matters to me!!!

After completing my master's degree w/ three boys, a full time job, and a husband. . . I figure . . . I can do ANYTHING I set my mind to.

I personally don't want to be 80 yrs old saying "Shoulda, Woulda, Coulda". I'd prefer to say. . . been there, done that and I loved it/hated it! I've always wanted to be a nurse and now is my chance.

My pre-reqs at my CC will be done in Spring '09. Then, I can apply to the Fall nursing program. I can't wait. I know it will be a challenge but I say "BRING IT ON BABY!!!!!"

Butterfliesnroses · Jul 4, 2008

I'm not a second degree student...BUT I have some of the issues you second degree students do! I have a child...I'm the main breadwinner of the family so I HAVE to work full time or take out student loans...My boyfriend is on SSI so he pays the car payment...I pay ALL the other bills (credit cards, rent, electric, insurance, medical bills, cable, internet, phone, and I buy our food)...So I DO know where you guys are coming from...I have one year of pre-reqs left and I'm going to try to work 4 days a week (which will be enough to pay the bills and be okay).

sweetlife313 · Jul 9, 2008

wow i didn't know this thread even existed. i have read all your comments from the very first thread to the last. it has all been very informative. i am a second degree nursing student starting in the fall. my mind has been going crazy as to how to pay for my program. it has been three long years of applying to school and taking more and more prerequisites and i finally been accepted.

Got into three school at different prices ranges and different states.

tuition alone for one school will cost me 70,000, the next will cost about 45,000 and the last will cost roughly 37,000. School are so expensive. they are all Absn programs and i will have to stop working when i start.

all the info i got about financial aid has been a god send. if there is any other info ppl can give me regarding financial aid, scholarships or any other info it would be great. i currently reside in the new york area.

thanks gain for all your personal experiences .

Ready2Help · Jul 9, 2008

I myself am waiting to hear if I have been accepted to start a BSN program in October. I think I've taken a whole different approach to the issues of already having a degree, being married with two children (one about to start kindergarten, the other 3 1/2), debt and just the reality that I am an adult and have the responsibilities that come along with it.

I have searched for about ten years for that thing that was going to make me, well, me. Does the thought of taking out loans in excess of $50,000 scare me, oh, yeah. What I do know is that I will be doing something that I should have done years ago, will still be taking care of my family and making decent money to do it.

So for the first couple of years working...most of it will be to pay off the loans. To me, that's just what comes along with being in the career that I want.

hapiyogi · Jul 10, 2008

I totally agree! Please please pretty please...admin?

MissMissy · Jul 13, 2008

Hello everyone,

Hi Justthething I think you have a well thought out plan. but if you ever get tired of working in a hospital or clinic after you get your nursing degree (and you want to go back to teaching) you can try nursing education. That what I am thinking about specializing in, either that or neuroscience nursing, neuropsychology nursing or Informatics nursing. Good Luck Every one:-)

Best Regards,

MissMissy

taffy48 · Jul 26, 2008

I am a 48 year old student with a family who is thinking about getting into a second degree program. My degree was 25 years ago, so any student loan money I took out has long since been repaid. What grants and scholarships are available to someone like me?

notthereyet0 · Jul 26, 2008

I am posting this in this thread because someone might have some experience pertinent to my situation. My life story is echoed by many posters. I am a mid-40's certified teacher who stayed home with my children due to lack of family/network (wouldn't have changed a thing) and now am unable to find a job in my field, and really just don't want to anymore. I am done with prereqs and am starting ns in the fall. I think that I would be able to work part time and still take classes, wanting to get a job in a hospital. When I apply I never get a call or anything - I think that they think I am overqualified for a "tech" job, patient care - you only need a hs diploma. I say that I just want a job to get my foot in the door but it doesn't seem to help. I am just waiting for a few of my nursing classes to have under my belt so that I can say that I am going into the field, maybe having a few contacts from class. Anyone having any of the same problems and any advice. Also I think it is pitiful that these entry level jobs are paying more than I was making subbing and I needed current state certification for that!! Thank you for the sense of community.