Now, a little background... I've been going to Baker College for about 4 years now. I've gotten my Associate's degree in computer information systems, and am coming up on recieving my Bachelors in the same. However, ever since I got my Associate's degree, I've had an incredibly strong desire to switch into nursing. For the past 2 years I've been telling myself that it is too late now, I am close to finishing so I might as well do it... But the computer field is no longer a field I am at all interested in.
Now, the problem is, I will not have access to financial aid if I were to switch.
So, I was wondering how the lot of you who have/had decided to go to nursing school after already obtaining a degree were able to afford to do so?
Also, would it be worth my while to get cna certification, or should I just look for a job in the computer field?
Oh, and another question... It's been very, very difficult working towards my BA in CIS. I've begrudgingly been trying to move forward with it, but my grades, along with my motivation, are becoming progressively worse. I had been on the Dean's list/President's list throughout my first 2 years up until my associates, maintaining a gpa of aournd 3.8... Since then, it's steadily dropped to a 2.5. I have approximately 10 courses left until my BA... Should I try to finish with this? Would I have an easier time getting into nursing school if I already had a BA (moreso than already having an associates)? I am absolutely positive this isn't what I want to do... Which is why I asked if I should go to work as a CNA.
Could you just take your 10 classes towards Nursing prereqs? I know that in MN there is a way to appeal the satisfactory progress rule in order to get aid for an additional major. (I have to appeal also so you are not alone.)
This is absolutely not true! My friend goes to Jackson Community College and has received this scholarship each semester. I also know someone at Macomb Community College that received it. I just talked to financial aid yesterday about it and she said our school still offers it and the nursing dept. will hand out the applications.
I'm a nursing student at Michigan State and when I first went to college we called to see about this scholarship....turns out it hasn't been given out since Engler was governer and the program has more or less been discontinued. shame because I could sure use it!
That is not true, as the posters ahead of me stated. I have a friend who received the scholarship within the last three years. She was attending Schoolcraft college in Livonia.
Ok, I'll look into that scholarship... Thanks for all the responses!
Also, will I make enough money as a CNA to support myself? I don't live extravagantly, or anything... And, how hard is it to get a job as a CNA in a hospital? I live in Saginaw.
Ok, I'll look into that scholarship... Thanks for all the responses!
Also, will I make enough money as a CNA to support myself? I don't live extravagantly, or anything... And, how hard is it to get a job as a CNA in a hospital? I live in Saginaw.
Jaytek13,
I also live in Saginaw, where did you go for your CNA course?
I'd highly recommend getting into a hospital in any position that you can. Being that you don't have any experience with CNA I'm not sure how much luck you'll have in obtaining a position. I know of quite a few people that have started out in dietary or housekeeping (have to stay in that spot for at least a year) and then taken the 1 week orientation required by the hospital to become a CNA. The hospital I work for gives students $1200/year in tuition reimbursement, once accepted in an accredited program students are eligible for a work forgiveness loan. In my case ADN= $3000/year and for every $3000 I'm indebted to the hospital for a year. If I choose to not work for said hospital I then get to repay the $$ +10% compounded interest. Good luck to you in your endeavors!
if you get your bsn you can do a accelerated program for a second degree. it would only be about 1 year or 1 1/2 year for this. i would suggest getting your gpa up so you can qualify for the school scholarships and depending on your financial position a student loan is a likely course i would think about taking. $750.00 a credit hour is a bunch... you may want to look at detroit mercy's second degree program (the requirement for a 2nd degree to enter in is a 3.0 gpa the program is on par with that 750.00 a credit hour in fact it is about 575.00 a credit hours for part time or a semester rates full time at $11,700.) but you will get transfer grant for anything about a 2.0 however the higher your gpa the more the grant is worth. ex 2.0-2.49= 2,500/ 3.5-4.0= 7,000. also you can get money from volunteering at local hospitals like oakwood’s has a 1,000 grant scholarship for volunteers. the michigan grant is still available but you really have to show a need for it.
this is a link to the requirements page for the second degree:
also if you do not have the pre-req credits i would suggest doing them at a community college because it is much more cost efficient and the classes tend to be taught in a smaller group so understanding is a little easier.
the scholarship for the school is handed out by the michigan gov with no requirements; however the schools may come up with a way to give them out because they won’t have enough money for everyone to get it. sometimes its just the matter of asking about it...
check out your community college AND your unemployment office they have tons of information you just need to askmy total bill for my ADN is $50 because I have to retake my ACT (it's been 20 years since I took the ACT) they are even going to pay my fee to take the NCLEX when I am ready
I have pell grant and scholarships and then this program WIA(workforce Investment Act) The unemployment office told me about it. and ask your college I even found out about a scholarship that was for someone that had been out of school for more than 5+ years
I think it's obvious that you should switch asap and go to nursing school. Obviously your heart isn't in it anymore so why bother? I have a chemistry degree and I felt the same way after it was over.
As far as paying for it - any job really. Why couldn't you get financial aid or scholarships? I'm going to community college and the cost is doable. I must say that I am taping into our 401K to help pay for it so I don't deplete my savings. Good luck! Follow your heart.
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HM2VikingRN, RN
4,700 Posts
Could you just take your 10 classes towards Nursing prereqs? I know that in MN there is a way to appeal the satisfactory progress rule in order to get aid for an additional major. (I have to appeal also so you are not alone.)