scared of loans but want to be a nurse

HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD · May 1, 2015

If you were on a full ride scholarship, then you haven't tapped into any Federal subsidies yet, right? If so - you need to complete your FAFSA & discuss options with a financial aid expert.

You're still very young. Don't try to rush your nursing education. If you poke around here on AN, you will discover that many people have expressed dissatisfaction with "accelerated" programs for many reasons. In our organization, hiring managers actively avoid any ABSN grads due to problems their inadequate preparation for the clinical setting. Even though they may have had to complete the same amount of total hours, it was accomplished in such a short time that they were unable to become fully acculturated to the work environment and have much more difficulty with fitting in to their new work teams.

There's absolutely nothing wrong with taking the normal approach via a generic BSN program. It will be less stressful and much more likely to support some type of part-time work. For now, just focus on acing your pre-requisites & explore the programs in which you're interested. Get to know some nurses in real life. It's important to have a realistic picture of nursing... you may discover that you'd rather go into a different health care profession altogether. There are lots of options for you.

CamieLouise · May 2, 2015

Thank you soo much for taking the time to give me some advice! I am a complete novice and this is really helpful info!! It's good to know about the accelerate programs, it makes sense... I guess I'm just thinking by the time I graduate I'll be 27ish and have all those loans and it's just scary but I know tons of people do it and are successful... Thanks for your time I really appreciate it! Maybe I could even get a GA or TA position to help pay for school if I decide to go for it...

Collor · May 3, 2015

If you want to be a nurse...then go for it. I was in a similar boat as you. I went the generic bsn progeam ...and was 27 when I graduated. I took out student loans and owed 35k. (This was in 1997 ).. I landed a full time job working days (so no shift diff)..making about $24.00/ per hr. I was living in ny..I was able to afford an apartment, car, car ins, student loan payments...and still have fun and do things. When OT was available, I worked it and used the extra cash to pay my loans off sooner. And...Yes..you are smart enough to do it. If you want it. .you will do great.

BirkieGirl · May 3, 2015

there ARE ways to become a RN with little or no debt. in my area of the country, it is popular for aspiring nurses to first get their CNA license through very short, inexpensive programs (we have a 4 week one locally that costs $1000). from there, they accept nursing assistant positions at the local hospitals while taking one class towards nursing. at the end of one year, the local hospitals offer tuition reimbursement, anywhere from $600-1800 per semester.

I personally work with a CNA who did exactly this. she worked three 12 hr night shifts a week during pre-req classes. took one at a time. paid for them out of pocket. at one year, she qualified for tuition reimbursement. took advantage of that and the hospital paid for the remainder or her pre-req classes. now she is accepted into her clinical program. she continues to qualify for tuition reimbursement at a lower rate (because she had to drop to 2 shifts a week). working 2 shifts each weekend (fri and sat night) allows her to focus on studies during the week, qualify for tuition reimbursement, AND get pay check to cover the rest. she lives with fiance who covers cost of living.

she will graduate with VERY little debt. she says that during her last year of school she will likely stop working just simply because of the time demands. i get that. she will need some student loans THEN, but not bad for a BSN!

i'm sure if you are creative, there are other options out there, other than to simply fund an entire degree on loans, if you wish to avoid loans. further, like another poster mentioned, working OT after graduation, sign-on bonuses, and other tuition payback options may be available as well.

best of luck to you!