Looking into Nursing Program, Weighing my options

I think your doing all the right things, including thinking about your situation financially...One thing to consider is scholarships and grants. If you can deal without having a refund check, it may be a good thing to consider...

There are THOUSANDS of scholarships out there, if you take the time to look for them, im sure you can find some to take care of a big portion of this amount. Talking to the financial aid department at the schools you are considering can seriously help you in a lot of ways. They want that money and they don't care where it comes from, so they will help finding scholarships and grants....

Thank you I will definitely look into applying for scholarships. I know that will help tremendously.

Why don't you apply to ABSN programs since you already have a bachelors degree?

Sadly, if you already have a bachelors degree there really aren't too many scholarship programs available to you. That's just my own experience. I'm now looking for loan reimbursement programs once I complete my bsn.

Why don't you apply to ABSN programs since you already have a bachelors degree?

That was my initial plan. Unfortunately, the amount of pre req's that I have completed with my BM does not include any science courses. Chamberlain advised that I enter the traditional program and also noted that I may finish a semester early because of my BM credits.

That may sound very tempting, but I think they're trying to pull a fast one on you. Did they tell you that you would be admitted to the nursing program right away. From my experience, most Bachelors programs need you to apply separately to the nursing department for admittance.

Let me tell you what I did and it worked for me. After getting my BS, I took most of the necessary pre-reqs at a CC (anatomy, physio, soc, psych, etc) in order to apply for an ABSN program. Even with out of state fees, my tuition should be around 30K for my BSN. This is the fastest way to get through school so I can begin working.

Do community college. The market isn't great for new grads and the last thing you want is +70k in loans (if you can even get banks to loan that kind of money), and no way to pay it down.

That may sound very tempting, but I think they're trying to pull a fast one on you. Did they tell you that you would be admitted to the nursing program right away. From my experience, most Bachelors programs need you to apply separately to the nursing department for admittance.

Let me tell you what I did and it worked for me. After getting my BS, I took most of the necessary pre-reqs at a CC (anatomy, physio, soc, psych, etc) in order to apply for an ABSN program. Even with out of state fees, my tuition should be around 30K for my BSN. This is the fastest way to get through school so I can begin working.

Thanks that sounds like a great plan. (Taking pre req's until I meet ABSN requirements)

As for Chamberlain the school is for nursing only so once I am accepted I will be a Nursing student. I will just be taking pre req's until my Nursing Classes and Clinicals kick in. They have worked a 9 Semester program broken into two sessions per semester. You are correct it is tempting.

Oh I see. Chamberlain is exclusively for nursing. That explains the fees. There are so many different ways to become a nurse. The best thing you can do is look into all of them. Just keep in mind the finances and that it is imperative to get a BSN. It's hard to get a job as a new grad, but much harder for an ASN. Plus, considering that you already have a BN, I would think you would want a degree that would be equivalent. Good luck and study hard!!

Another thing to consider is getting a job in a hospital now. Many hospitals will help pay (or pay for entirely) your schooling. Our local hospital even has ties with the community college that ensures X amount of their employees be accepted into the nursing program each semester, so people working there can get away with not waiting the two years that I'll have waited when I start in the fall.

Oh I see. Chamberlain is exclusively for nursing. That explains the fees. There are so many different ways to become a nurse. The best thing you can do is look into all of them. Just keep in mind the finances and that it is imperative to get a BSN. It's hard to get a job as a new grad, but much harder for an ASN. Plus, considering that you already have a BN, I would think you would want a degree that would be equivalent. Good luck and study hard!!

Thank you will do. I am weighing all of my options. I will continue to work for my BSN so I appreciate your kind thoughts!

Another thing to consider is getting a job in a hospital now. Many hospitals will help pay (or pay for entirely) your schooling. Our local hospital even has ties with the community college that ensures X amount of their employees be accepted into the nursing program each semester, so people working there can get away with not waiting the two years that I'll have waited when I start in the fall.

Thats a great idea. I currently work at a Pain Clinic doing billing so maybe I can find a job in the hospital and try to make my way in. Tuition assistant/reimbursement would be lovely.