MDC Generic and BSN FAQ'S

yisy4u · Mar 14, 2012

Oh wow! Too many questions!!! So i'm only gonna answer a few. I'm in my 1st semester of the generic fulltime program (ADN). I don't have much info on the bachelor's program, but that I know @ MDC you gotta do your ADN first and then apply to BSN which I think it is only one year. They know that we will be working or busy & they provide schedules to fit your needs, or so I heard.

About the difficulty of juggling school/work/family. Well, my advice is be prepare to quit your job. You will probably will end up quitting it anyways 2 month within your first semester of nursing school. You will see that it is not easy to pass your classes if you are not studying all the time. So work is a big no no for the majority of us. Family, well, you will have to dedicate more time studying and less to your husband & kids if any. It is not easy, but it's doable.

And yes we have financial aid, but I still had to ask for loans. I have asked for 2 loans so far. One before starting nursing school, to pay for the medical tests, uniforms, books and supplies, and now I got another one for my school expenses.

Oh and you get to study fall, spring, summer, fall, and spring again. And to pay for my summer classes I have my loans, but financial aid helped me a bit by giving me like $500. You also can apply for scholarships once in the program. Those are pretty helpful too.

I don't know the cost of the BSN program, but maybe you can find that info @ the MDC site.

Well, that's all Ive got.

Best of lucks!!!

:)

Jmiami · Mar 16, 2012

Thanks for the reply! I know, I'm sorry I shouldn't have bombarded my post with so many questions. The fin aid vs. loans you were mentioning....by fin. aid did you mean just scholarships and grants? By loans were you referring to stafford/perkins loans or private loans. For example: The loan you took out before school - was that a private loan vs. maybe a federal stafford/perkins loan taken out to cover school? I'm a second degree student (have a BA in Theater, which is code for server or administrative assistant) so I already had my chance at the pell grant and the other goodies you get on your first go around. Funding for 2nd degree students I've found is significantly more limited. I've found that we pretty much get the option to take out loans, which are limited to stafford and perkins if you have any credit issues. I've been combing for info on the BSN on their website, but we are apparently directed to contact the program for info. I have done so a few times, but was not able to receive any word from them. I'd imagine that everyone on staff is extremely busy. I've gone down to the financial aid office and tried to make a sit down appointment with someone so I could get my ducks in a row financially, but was told they don't do that. I was told to talk to the lady at the window, which I have a feeling is just a work study student pushing buttons because I wasn't able to get any sort of definitive answer about anything except that you are only allowed to take out 4 semesters worth of loans from them since they are considered a 2 yr college. She advised that I just save them for the nursing program if I get in and to pay my pre-reqs out of pocket. They also said that you could not take out any loans for the summer term. That doesn't make sense to me in general though because what if you are a student starting from scratch who needed to take a year of full time pre-reqs for the program who also needed loans to attend school? Apparently in that case, you wouldn't be able to receive loans going to miami dade if you took 3 years (1-pre reqs, 2-ADN) to complete your Associates. Then what if you wanted to go on to get your BSN, no more loans? When I went to school the first time around (granted it was in 97), you could take out loans each and every term you went to school as long as you met the course load limit. There were kids there going on their 6th, 7th year of working on their Bachelors who were still taking out loans. It's such a mystery. Sometimes I think you need a degree to figure out how to logistically get your degree! Wow, so it's 5 semesters? I was under the impression that it was 4 (from the info. on their site). It sure is good to speak to someone in the program and get information first hand! Just one more question. I spend roughly 55 hours a week dedicated to working. Between class and studying do you think you spend more or less time than that in a week on your program activities? I'm very very curious. I ask this because outside of work I spend an additional 2 or so hours cleaning / picking up the house, then there's caring for my daughter, fixing meals and so on. It would be pushing it to have much more than 55-60 hrs a week dedicated to school considering the amount of time I need to fill my family commitments. I guess though, I might just need to leave the house "messy" but not dirty and pre-freeze some meals to make this dream work. congrats on the program and good luck! I hope we can stay in touch because I'd love to pick your brain as you go along )

Jmiami · Mar 16, 2012

wow. I'm one of "those" really scary question ridden novella type posters. great.

yisy4u · Mar 16, 2012

Well, I'm not really aware of how financial aid works, specially if this is your second major. The loan that I took was a Federal Direct Stafford Loan. And I do think that you can get it for the summer as well. But I haven't needed to take one for the summer since the amount they give you for the other semesters should be enough to suffice your school expenses. Also, once you finish your pre-reqs you can go to South Florida Work Force and they may pay your tuition so you can go into nursing. I know a few people that did that. But you should find more info on this cause I don't really understand much about the FAFSA, grants or loans.

About the program it is only 4 semesters. I started this spring, so I will have to take Spring, Summer, Fall & Spring again.

I haven't really measured how much time I spend studying. But there are days that I just wish that the day had more than 24 hours. I've spent lots of sleepless nights studying for a test, which I don't recommend, but it all depends in your study habits. I just can tell you that I have NEVER, EVER, EVER, (& sorry for being so repetitive) spent so much time studying in my life. I don't mean to scare you or anything, but you should be prepared. Also, I have friends who have kids, and have to clean, and cook and take care of the husbands and kids, but it is doable. You will need to delegate the house chores and sometimes just go around the mess cause you won't have time to clean up. But hey! who cares! you will be in nursing school! :)

Well, I bet that you had more questions in your post, but i'm kind of fuzzy and sleepy, so I'm gonna head to bed. Gotta go to school in the morning.

Good luck! :)

SENSUALBLISSINFL, BSN, RN · Jun 25, 2012

Just graduated from the generic program at MDC and I agree with the previous post. I wished the days had more hours. You will spend a great time of studying and not have a chance to do many other things you have been used to. The program is not easy, you have to commit yourself, but it is doable.

I am preparing for the NCLEX so I can start in the Spring the BSN, I wished I had information on that part of the program, but I do not. I am not sure how I will be able to afford that part of my studies, the ADN I paid myself 100%, the BSN not sure how I will do it. I am hoping financial aid this time. Work as a new graduate in South Florida is very difficult.

Good luck in your program. Surround yourself with positive people and remember, your goal is to finish and become a great nurse..