Hey everyone!! After years of lurking around I've decided to finally make an account on here.
...To ask for advice.
(I'm going to try and explain as best as possible; I apologize in advance if I make any typos or if any sentences are a tad funky.)
My father recently had gotten cancer and while he successfully underwent surgery and is now recovering well, I am having major anxiety issues about school. I'm currently a junior, with three semesters left to finish my English degree (after switching from Bio--that's a story for a different time) and my nursing pre-reqs. My dad was the reason that I got to go to school (he was paying for everything) and now that he's unable to I find myself feeling anxious whether or not my degree in English is worth it and whether or not I can pursue nursing school (and all of the possible outcomes after getting into nursing school) after I complete my degree. my school is about 10k per semester and the nursing school that I am looking at is about 50k after scholarships and grants. (It's Shenandoah Accelerated Nursing program in case you were wondering--I would be getting a BSN there.) I feel like its too late (and my GPA too low) to pursue a traditional nursing school route. I also discovered that I wanted to be a nurse a little late in my college career (which is why I'm scrambling now...) (If that helps with anything...)
Overall if I pursue my plan of finishing my first degree and go into nursing as an accelerated student, I would probably be accrueing 80k in debt. And that scares me. I have no job, since I am a full time student, I have small amount work experience over the summer and I am trying to figure out alternative choices that would allow me to pursue my dream, but also allow me to not be neck deep in student loans.
I have little sleep because I am so lost about my future. I am trying to finish this semester as strong as possible despite everything that's been happening with my dad and I have been trying my best to research as much about loans as possible (and other job choices as well) but the fear of failing and being unable to take care of my dad who has taken care of me for so long scares me so much that I'm barely functioning as a human being. The fact my dad is in a different country for the rest of the year also hurts me a lot.
oops. I didn't mean to put my entire life story in this, but I'm at a complete loss of what I can do.
Please, if anyone can give me some solid advice/options other, I'd really appreciate it.
Do I pursue my english degree and try to get into nursing school?
Should I look at other and probably more cheap options such as CNA, EMT or LPN/LVN at a community college? (I would still probably get debt, but it wouldnt be as much...)
Should I just finish my English degree and become a tutor or whatever, even though that's not my passion?
TL;DR: I am afraid of 80+k in student loans and not getting into the accelerated nursing program that I've set my eyes on.
Also, thanks so much for reading! i am grateful for any advice at all, really.
My advice will probably go against the grain of other respondents, but if you are struggling with the sciences, I suggest you complete a 1-year practical nursing program and become an LPN. The LPN pathway will minimize the amount of debt you'll accrue.
My friend had a previous non-nursing BS degree with a not-so-stellar GPA of 2.5 in the sciences. She completed a 1-year practical nursing program, worked as an LPN for a few years, completed an LPN-to-ASN transition program that resulted in an RN license, and now earns $95k yearly as a nurse manager.
Many people look down upon the LPN route, but if you do not have the grades, it can be an affordable entry way into the nursing profession.
Wow! Your friend is amazing...
I was thinking of going through the LPN route as well, but I'm a little hesitant, because I believe the places I would apply do not allow for financial aid (why? I have no idea. its very unfair.) so I'd have to take out a private loan. I think it would cost as much as one semester at my university. If I DO pursue an lpn at my community college at home, I feel like I'd be missing out on opportunities that my university provides. But at the same time...this is my future we are talking about.
To be quite honest, I have never actually tried in any of the science courses, when I was a biology major--I was going through some major issues and I was too focused on things that didn't matter and didn't study hard enough. So I'm unsure of whether or not I'd do poorly in these classes--I would like to believe that I would be able to study harder now that I know.
I would focus on getting your first degree first (which is what I'm doing, I'm graduating this fall.) Then worry about taking your pre-reqs. I would suggest you take your pre-reqs at a community college if that is an option or choose the cheapest route, pre-reqs are usually the same but you could call the programs you are interested in and see if they would take credit from those particular schools. After your pre-reqs are done, then worry about accelerated programs or generic (usually the generic 4 years are condensed down to 2 years if you already have a degree.)
I'm wondering why the 80k program is your only option? Have you looked into community college accelerated programs? 80k is truly a lot of money to pay for an undergrad degree. At the end of the day, if you put the work in outside of classes: volunteering, externship experience, studying for the NCLEX etc. a BSN and passing the NCLEX is the same anywhere.
In short please take each step one at a time, getting ahead of yourself is really overwhelming in itself and in your case you're dealing with other stressors as well. One day at a time! : )
In multiple posts, OP seems to be under the impression that admission to accelerated programs does not require a GPA as high as traditional programs. Don't know about all areas of the country, but in my area - the opposite is true. Accelerated programs actually require a higher cumulative GPA than traditional ones.
I would focus on getting your first degree first (which is what I'm doing, I'm graduating this fall.) Then worry about taking your pre-reqs. I would suggest you take your pre-reqs at a community college if that is an option or choose the cheapest route, pre-reqs are usually the same but you could call the programs you are interested in and see if they would take credit from those particular schools. After your pre-reqs are done, then worry about accelerated programs or generic (usually the generic 4 years are condensed down to 2 years if you already have a degree.)
I'm wondering why the 80k program is your only option? Have you looked into community college accelerated programs? 80k is truly a lot of money to pay for an undergrad degree. At the end of the day, if you put the work in outside of classes: volunteering, externship experience, studying for the NCLEX etc. a BSN and passing the NCLEX is the same anywhere.
In short please take each step one at a time, getting ahead of yourself is really overwhelming in itself and in your case you're dealing with other stressors as well. One day at a time! : )
Thank you, nifty_n! I have looked into community college BSNs, but I have not had the best experience with the community college that is in the area--which is why I am looking at this particular program. My GPA is also too low, I believe, for the other programs that are in my area--which is another reason why I want so badly to get into this program. The accelerated program is actually 60k, but they have scholarships and grants that would shave off the total to 50k. (But since finishing my undergrad is 30k....I think the point is moot, haha.)
Anyway, if I finish my English degree, I would be able to finish my pre-reqs as well. (I talked to my pre-health advisor about this.) I think I am mostly just worried about taking out loans--80k is a LOT of money....
Anyway, I am still struggling to make a decision, but I am trying my best to do one day at a time! Thank you again.
In multiple posts, OP seems to be under the impression that admission to accelerated programs does not require a GPA as high as traditional programs. Don't know about all areas of the country, but in my area - the opposite is true. Accelerated programs actually require a higher cumulative GPA than traditional ones.
Hey HouTX, thank you for reply! I have checked several times with the accelerated nursing schools around my area and I do understand that a high GPA is required for nursing school regardless if its traditional or accelerated. The one that I have my eyes set on, however only look at pre-reqs GPA, only. I have hunted around on the forums about this particular program as well and it seems to be true among applicants. Do you have suggestions on how I could improve on my GPA?
elendilya
9 Posts
Wow! Your friend is amazing...
I was thinking of going through the LPN route as well, but I'm a little hesitant, because I believe the places I would apply do not allow for financial aid (why? I have no idea. its very unfair.) so I'd have to take out a private loan. I think it would cost as much as one semester at my university. If I DO pursue an lpn at my community college at home, I feel like I'd be missing out on opportunities that my university provides. But at the same time...this is my future we are talking about.
To be quite honest, I have never actually tried in any of the science courses, when I was a biology major--I was going through some major issues and I was too focused on things that didn't matter and didn't study hard enough. So I'm unsure of whether or not I'd do poorly in these classes--I would like to believe that I would be able to study harder now that I know.