penrn

My goodness you sound rather bitter. I hope that you find peace.

Hi Guys, Congratulations to all who have been accepted! You all are going to make brilliant nurses. For those who have not been accepted, please don't despair. You can try again next year or perhaps consider other options. I wanted to just leave this comment and provide another perspective for those who have not been accepted. Even though I was accepted to both University of Maryland and Georgetown, I declined acceptance to both schools and chose instead to enroll in the Evening/Weekend Nursing program at my county's Community College. The reason that I chose to do this came down to dollars and cents and where I am in my life currently. I did a price comparison and found that tuition, fees and books at Community College for one year would be around $2,000-$4,000; making the total for two years of study approximately $4,000-$8,000. While tuition and fees alone for one semester at UMSON would cost approximately $20,000. I am mid career professional, age 39, that wants to do nursing as a second career. I already have a BA and MA in another field of study. Though I am absolutely gutted that I won't be attending UMSON (my first choice school), it would have been financially burdensome for me to stop work and attend school full time. While I have aspirations of continuing with my nursing career after obtaining my RN, I want to do so strategically and in a way that's not financially burdensome. In two years I will sit the same NCLEX exam that my colleagues in the CNL program will sit and compete for the same entry-level, novice nursing positions. MS prepared novice nurses might have a slight advantage because they have an advanced degree, but I don't think this will make it impossible for me to get my first nursing job. Also, from the research that I've seen, the pay disparity between the MS prepared nurse and the ADN prepared nurse is insignificant. Finally, most employers will offer some sort of financial/tuition based incentive that allows for ADN prepared nurses to pursue their BSN while working. I have often said to myself that if I were younger and didn't already hold an advanced degree, I would have just taken out loans to pay for nursing school and attend UMSON, but then again, having gone through the hole student loan debt thing, I think not. Knowing what I know now about life and finances and debt etc, it's just not worth the hassle to be burned with student loan debt. I say all of that to say that even though everyone's life situation, personal and professional aspirations are different, it is worth while looking at the more affordable and equally reputable options for your nursing education. Alrighty, best of luck to everyone in your future endeavors!

Hi All, I have decided not to attend either the UMSON or Georgetown University. At this point in my life/career I think it's best to take the most financially practical route. Thus, I've decided to do the Nursing program at my local community college. Good luck to everyone!

@JulietMei, have you decided where you'll enroll? JHU or UM?

@Aapage87, that's good to know. I'll look into it. I hope I can get enough scholarships to pay it all. I've paid off my loans from grad school and almost done paying off undergrad loans. I do not want to go back in the debt cycle.

Don't be discouraged @SNP22. It's rolling admission. Have you checked SURFS?

I'm in, YEAH!!! I've been accepted to Georgetown and UMSON. Now the next question is: who gon' pay for it???

Yep, was just notified today. I'm looking forward to it.

Yeh, that seems to be one of the only options. There must be other ways though. During the open house in November, my impression was that many of the current students are doing the same.

Hey All, Best of luck to all those that are applying. Curious to know how people are planning on financing their education? Are most people going to take out loans?

Hi MSWtoRN30 I received my letter as well. Unfortunately I was wait listed. I suppose because I didn't have all my prerequisites completed even though I am in county. I wonder what is the likelihood of getting in this fall seeing that I am #10 on the list? How about you, were you successful?

Has anyone heard anything yet? I thought June was when "spring finishers" were supposed to hear back?

So, it's the beginning of June 2017. Has anyone that applied and fell into the June lottery for the evening and weekend program for the Fall 2017 heard back yet?