dimple714

Exactly. Now that I've already gotten a bachelors degree, I don't really qualify for federal grants. And since I already have quite a bit of student debt to pay back starting in a few months, I can hardly afford to take out more loans at this time. And @blondy2061h, yeah I've looked into accelerated BSN programs, but those are really expensive (and most are private), and I wouldn't be able to work at the same time to support my education because of the rigorous nature of these programs. @dishes, it's completely true that they assume that a bachelors degree in the sciences = decent paying professional job. But they keep finding job descriptions online that welcome fresh grads with a bachelors degree, but prefer masters' degrees or at least a few years experience. And with the competitive job market, I don't really stand a chance, nor do I want to pursue a job like that when I can work directly in the nursing field as a CNA and get valuable experience and make connections that might eventually lead to a job when I become an RN. @adc85, what you did after you graduated is basically what my parents want me to do. If you don't mind me asking, was the pay decent with a bachelors degree working in a lab? I've heard that you don't get paid very much if you do not have a PhD or a masters. CNAs don't make very much either, but if I have to choose, I would rather go the CNA route where I can get the experience and work in a hospital that might help me pay for nursing school and lead to a job further down in my career.

Hey guys, I graduated from college this past May, and received my Bachelors in Biology, a degree with which I have no idea what to do. I have always wanted to work in health care and with patients, and I've wanted to go to nursing school for a while now. While I realize that had I known this before starting college, I would have been able to save the time and money and would have my BSN by now (as my parents constantly point out to me), I am now sure that this is what I really want to do. Against my parents' better wishes, I registered for a CNA class this summer, and will be taking my boards in August and will hopefully be on the registry by September. My plan is to work as a CNA in a hospital that offers tuition assistance or reimbursement, and receive partial support from my employer while I attend nursing school at a 3+1 program by my community college and a partnering university, which together offer a BSN program at a drastically reduced cost. I'm aware that most CNA students that have just been certified are more likely to get hired at nursing home than a hospital, which is less likely to offer education benefits. Another problem is, since I have already gotten a Bachelors degree, I have heard that federal financial aid only offers loans for further education. What alternatives do I have for financing my nursing education? Are there government grants specifically for nursing students (even if they already have completed a bachelors degree?) I'm really at a loss because although I am almost 22, I can't pursue what I really want to do without a huge struggle. After graduating, my parents expect that I get a job directly related to biology, and that requires a bachelors degree. I had to turn down a caregiver position at a home care company (a job that I really, really wanted to take, both for the valuable experience and pay) because it only required a high school diploma and my parents felt I was overqualified. They were also uncomfortable with me going to patient's homes and providing care. I hope that they don't react similarly to a CNA job. I feel like wherever I turn, I'm always held back by my parents and their strict nature and high expectations. I'm sorry for practically writing a novel; I guess I just need some guidance and validation. I don't want to work in a laboratory or behind a desk; but it seems that a job like that where I can use my degree is best for me, as they think. What should I do? Am I on the right track with this plan? Is it realistic to think that my employer (if I work at a hospital) will actually help me pay for nursing school? What would you do if you were in my situation? Thanks for reading. I figured it would be best to post this in a community of nurses and soon-to-be nurses who would best understand