ernightlife

You may be surprised to find that there are probably facilities near where you live that would allow you to qualify for loan repayment (so you don't have to pick up and move a world away). There are 2 different types of loan repayment. One is a fixed dollar amount ($30K or $50K depending on the Tier--see below--of facility). The other is a percentage of your loan (60% for 2 years of service and then for a 3rd year you can get 25% of the original loan paid--so 85% of the loan). Here is a comparison and links at bottom to where/how to apply. You can apply for both but only accept funds from one. http://www.hrsa.gov/loanscholarships/repayment/nursing/bcrsloanrepaymentfactsheet.pdf If your student loan debt to income ratio is high (above 20% or higher) AND you choose a Tier 1 facility (I'll explain below) then you have a great chance of getting the funding. To find a Tier 1 facility, you can go to this site: NHSC Jobs Center Put in Primary Care as the field of practice and then move the slider scale to 14 (a Tier 1 facility has a HPSA score of 14 or above). This will show you ALL the Tier 1 facilities/practices. At the top of the list you can "sort by" several options (I sorted by state and then scrolled through the pages till I found those listed in my state). To the right you will see the HPSA score for the facilities (they should all be 14 or above if you moved the slider scale). A higher score means an area of most need but anything 14 or above is a Tier 1 facility and puts you closer to the top of the list of qualifying for loan repayment. I found many places near where I live (both rural and urban) that are Tier 1 facilities. I received a Nurse CORE scholarship (they paid all my school bill and some living expenses and books while in school) and must work in a Tier 1 facility for two years to receive "forgiveness" from having to pay it back. Usually the Tier 1 facilities have many openings and they are often places other people don't want to work (rural, urban/underserved, county hospitals/clinics), BUT often treat their employees well and have great benefits (I have discovered). Good luck.

Anyone else starting UMKC (University of Missouri-Kansas City) MSN program this summer or fall and will be at the SI next week? Also, does anyone know where it is going to be? How to get there from the KC area? Where to park, etc? Their acceptance letter says they will put a link on their website with all the needed info....if it is there I can't seem to find it. Smiles.

Thanks SmellTheCoffee for that info....I have been anxiously checking my mailbox every day! When I applied they told me it would be around the first of April before I would know something, but I am impatient. I applied for the full-time program as well.

Congratulations! I have applied to this program also....I haven't heard anything yet. Are you going to be in the part- or full-time program?

Zofran 4mg ODT--a doctor I work with suggested it when I went on a medical mission trip this summer. I don't usually get stomach upset, but I think everyone on my team (including me) needed one or two at some point during the trip. Everyone said how glad they were that I brought them. Enjoy!

Here's my story..... I graduated from nursing school in one state and had applied for nursing license in that state. The day after I graduated my husband and I moved to another state. I was unable to work as a graduate nurse in the new state and it was almost 6 months before I was able to take my test and get my license transfered to the state I was then living in. By the time I was licensed in the state I was living in, I was 8 months pregnant. I had my baby and she was very colicy and cried for about the first 2 years of her life! I was afraid to leave her with anyone for fear they would harm her (because it took all I could do not to hurt her and I was her mother!!!)! I did start teaching breastfeeding classes one night a month when my daughter was a year old. After she was 2, I taught Childbirth classes one night a week. I did that until she was 6, then worked part time as a WIC nurse for 6 months. Since then, I have always only worked part time. Worked in L&D and mother/baby. Took 2 years off after 4 years (to be with my MIL while she was sick) and then landed a job as a Hospice nurse that I did for 2 months. Quit that before I found a job in the ER where I am currently working. Starting floor nursing after all the years away was difficult, but I had several nurses that really took me under their wing and helped me learn (re-learn) all the skills that I needed. My husband has been amazed that I am able to get jobs so easily with so little experience. I guess I have fabulous interview skills :) I do not try to hide my gaps. Someday, I hope to work full time...becuase I really LOVE nursing, but for now part-time is enough to stay in touch with my skills and still be present with my family. I would think with your past experiences and your continuing education you should be fine. Good luck to you in your future.

That is exactly what I was going to post. The value of nursing is in the value you place on it. I did not particularly like clinicals but LOVE, LOVE, LOVE being a nurse (have been for 15 years now). Your independence will come as you learn the necessary skills. It takes a few years to put it all together. Also, finding a place to work that you enjoy the people you work with and value what they do...they will in turn show value to what you have to offer. Keep your chin up.