I don't think I can afford to get my BSN?

Nursing Students ADN/BSN

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Hi everyone, I'm a senior in high school and looking over my options for nursing school. At first I thought ADN was the way to go because it seemed cheaper, but everyone on the website is highly recommending just getting the BSN right away. So I'm looking into different state universities and have two options, as far as getting my BSN goes. I could move three hours away from home and go to school, OR I could stay in the area and go to school. Of course there are other schools, but I'd rather stay in my state, and these two universities are the only ones that I'm interested in. I'm worried about cost though. These two universities cost about the same (except the one three hours away is slightly more expensive). I am going to be paying for college all on my own, my parents are not helping me at all financially, and I see too many university students having their education paid off by their parents. I work as a dietary aide in a nursing home so its obviously not good pay. I plan to get my CNA because most nursing schools require it, and think it would be a good way to get my foot in the door anyway. But still, I don't think I would be able to afford and am scared of being in student debt for the majority of my life. So, to all of you university educated nurses out there, how were you able to afford it?

ALSO, I need help trying to decide which university I should choose. The one close to me doesn't require I get my CNA, and I've heard its one of the best nursing schools in the state.

The one three hours away from me requires you to be enrolled in (or have completed) TWO nursing classes at the school before you can get accepted into the nursing program. I think this is really stupid. I could move all the way up to this school, just to take these two classes, and find out I'm not accepted into their nursing program? That would be the biggest waste of time I think. It also requires you to take a CNA class. I'm just wondering if anybody else thinks this policy is stupid? From what I've heard though, it's another good nursing school. Should I just go with the local university? I really need to know which school I'm going for because each school has different pre-reqs....I also plan to be taking pre-reqs at a community college and then transferring over. Is that a good idea?

Also, what do you guys think of living on campus during school? It's something I'd like to do, but it's like $6000 a semester....I don't think I could afford it.

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Specializes in Hospice.

Just a few suggestions. Start researching for grants, loans, and scholarships. I don't know what state you live in but have you talked to the university about financial aid through the government?

Good luck.

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I fully understand the stresses of paying for college without any help from others. Before I started nursing, I went to a 4 year university to study music. It is impossible to pay for tuition, room and board plus a meal plan without any loans/scholarships. I lived on campus, and while it was a good experience being away from home, I wish I had lived at home and saved a ton of money. I would recommend taking as many classes at community college as you can, as these classes are usually half the price, but just make sure they will transfer over to the 4 year college. I also think that if you can live at home, you will ultimately be more financially sound. Nursing school is stressful enough without stressing over money. You will be much happier when you graduate and not have $1000 monthly student loan payment. Good luck!

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Idk what state you live in, but i'd still say go with the BSN. So many states and organization/hospitals are requiring BSN at minimum.

1. As another poster said. Research Grants, Scholarships, Loans that might be available to you. Loans might be a bit of a hassle but view it as an investment in your future career. You might have more grants open to you because this will be your first bachelors (I believe the Federal Pell Grant would be open to you).

2. Becoming a CNA would definitely be a great idea. It gives you great experience, a great entry on your resume and chance to network within that particular hospital/org. This experience could (hopefully) make your job search upon graduation much easier.

3. From a financial standpoint, taking classes at a CC is a great idea. Just be sure that whatever school you're going to doesn't have any stipulations or requirement regarding certain prereqs and that they will transfer. (i.e. some Nursing School require certain prereqs to be taken at a university and not a CC)

4. If you can live at home and feel comfortable commuting, DO IT. You'll save alot of money and DORM housing is overrated.

As far as which school, just based on what info you've provided... I'd go with the local school.

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Specializes in Critical Care, Education.

It's so great to hear from "young ones" such as the OP - very refreshing.

First of all, get yourself positioned for financial aid. This means your parents have to take you off their income tax as a dependent. This will position you to be 'independent' and remove your parent's income from consideration. Yeah, it will have an impact on your parent's tax burden (BTDT) - but they can consider it as their contribution to your "college fund". PP has also provided a lot of great advice about taking pre-reqs at a CC. By the time you have finished them, you will have been off your parent's tax return long enough to qualify as 'independent' on your FAFSA.

Don't try to do too much - it's important to make the highest grades possible in your pre-reqs. Best of Luck to you!!! Keep us posted on your progress.

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Thanks for all advice everyone! and FYI, I live in Minnesota. I checked with the local magnet hospital in the city, and they do hire ADNs, but I get the feeling they are BSN preferred....they were advertising a grad nurse residency program they have, and they said that they take into consideration the BSN grads the most. So, if I wanted to get into a large hospital, I think BSN would be the way to go.

And I would live at home in a heartbeat, but I live 45 minutes away from the school....is it really worth commuting back and forth? I think I'll stay at home doing my pre-reqs...but I don't want to stay at home forever driving that much!

What do you guys think of holding a part time job through pre-reqs and nursing school? Is it possible?

PP has also provided a lot of great advice about taking pre-reqs at a CC. By the time you have finished them, you will have been off your parent's tax return long enough to qualify as 'independent' on your FAFSA.

Well, I know doing pre-reqs cost money as well...could I apply to FAFSA as an independent yet for that or not?

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No, you can not qualify to file for FAFSA independently until you are 25 years old, married, have a child, legally emancipated or are in the military. You can't fill out a FAFSA without your parents income tax information either. If your parents make enough money where they could afford to help with school, don't anticipate getting more than $5500 for the first year. Most state schools are around $15,000/year for tuition and room and board. It's possible to work in order to make up the rest, but once clinicals start, it may be difficult to go to clinicals, study and work. Most people I knew couldn't work and go to school.

here is student loan info: http://studentaid.ed.gov/types/loans/subsidized-unsubsidized

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Specializes in Critical Care.

I would take a close look at the employers you might be interested in. While there's a lot of unreliable information on this site, there really isn't a huge difference when you look at actual data in terms of getting a job with or without a BSN.

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Specializes in Critical Care.
No, you can not qualify to file for FAFSA independently until you are 25 years old, married, have a child, legally emancipated or are in the military. You can't fill out a FAFSA without your parents income tax information either. If your parents make enough money where they could afford to help with school, don't anticipate getting more than $5500 for the first year. Most state schools are around $15,000/year for tuition and room and board. It's possible to work in order to make up the rest, but once clinicals start, it may be difficult to go to clinicals, study and work. Most people I knew couldn't work and go to school.

here is student loan info: Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans | Federal Student Aid

I have no idea what this poster is referring to, but you can apply for FAFSA at any age.

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The OP was specifically asking about filing for FAFSA as an independent, which he/she cannot do as they are not 25 years old, have children, in the military or are legally emancipated from his/her parents. You can file a request to FAFSA as a dependent as long as your parents submit their tax information. Loan disbursement is based on the OP own savings, earnings and also their parents earnings, thus most likely lowering the amount of loan eligible. I know this as I went through the exact situation when I was going for a bachelor's degree. The Dept of education does not account for people under 25 years who have parents who are not going to help toward a college degree (yes, not every person gets their parents to pay for school). So yes, I do know they can get a loan, but I was answering the OP original question, which specifically asked about filing independently from their parents :)

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.

The FAFSA / USDOE is very specific about who qualifies as a dependent student. If you are under 25, unmarried, not emancipated and childless you are considered a dependent student for purposes of federal financial aid. Moving out or your parents deciding to not claim you as a dependent this year will not change your status.

I know a few who tried and were sadly disappointed. The schools have some leeway with awarding funds in unique circumstances such as a parent forcing an 18 year old child to move out & refusing financial support/provide financial information. The school may have school based loans & grants available

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