Single Dad, Work, and School?

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Hi everyone,

First post here. I was referred by a friend who convinced me to apply for accelerated BNS programs in my area. I'm incredibly excited about entering school and this field...but also overwhelmed about how the heck I'm going to afford it. The one year program will cost about $28,000 here for tuition, uniforms, and books. Then I have to consider paying living expenses (rent, food, electricity, car) without being to work at all. I'm hesitant to go the student loan route since I all hear are horror stories about the interest rates and time it takes to pay them off.

So, are there resources out there for second-career students? Scholarships, grants, etc.?

Thanks!

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If you go the AS route to obtain your RN it would cost a lot less!! then you can get hired and hopefully your job can cover the cost for the rn-bsn or you just pay that. a community college route is a lot less money. regardless of any degrees you hold already.

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I agree with Bronze!!!

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Specializes in L&D, infusion, urology.

I agree with HammockBound. Look at ADN programs, which would be significantly less expensive. People DO work during nursing programs sometimes, and of course, as parents, we do what we have to do sometimes. If you already have a bachelor's, which I assume you do if you're looking at accelerated programs, you won't likely qualify for much financial aid, or even federal student loans.

Are there state universities in CT that offer a traditional BSN program? That might be another option.

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If the program is one year, I don't understand how an AS program is going to be cheaper. All ASN programs I looked in to took two years. But like a lot of things that are on AN, it could just be a geographical thing. If it takes about the same amount of time and money to get the BS, I say go for that. Check with the school and see if they provide any type of assistance. It is amazing how all these "little" scholarships add up.

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Specializes in Cardiac, CVICU.

You should talk with the financial aid department. Because of your background, I am very certain that they can find you the money you need! You just need to explain to them your whole situation and ask for help.

Also, they can raise your tuition price and rebate you the difference. (All colleges/universities have a cap that they can charge you. That's normally $5-10K more.) This money can help you live while you are in school. Of course, you have to weigh the pros and cons if you want to add more to your dept.

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Specializes in Critical Care, Education.

That's actually very reasonable for an accelerated program but it will undoubtedly be too fast-paced/time consuming to be able to work while you are in the program. Do you have any family you could live while you're in school?

You may need to get really creative. I know an NP student who managed to get herself a "room & board" in exchange for "nighttime assistance & light housework" with an elderly woman whose son was very concerned about keeping mom safe at home in her own house. Her Rabbi actually helped connect her with the 'job'. It worked out very well for her while she was in her NP program. What about house-sharing with other single parent students? Check with student services at your new school - they may be able to help you discover some housing arrangements you haven't even thought about.

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Specializes in LTC, Rural, OB.
If the program is one year, I don't understand how an AS program is going to be cheaper. All ASN programs I looked in to took two years. But like a lot of things that are on AN, it could just be a geographical thing. If it takes about the same amount of time and money to get the BS, I say go for that. Check with the school and see if they provide any type of assistance. It is amazing how all these "little" scholarships add up.

The reason why ADN programs should be considered, even though they are two years, is that they are about one half to two thirds less than these ABSN programs or even BSN programs. It is worth looking into. A lot of my classmates work part time if not full time while going through the program and still do decently.

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Oh wow, for some reason I wasn't getting any e-mails to notify me of responses so I apologize that I haven't been interacting here. Thanks to everyone for the replies.

I'm pretty certain I want the accelerated BNS program at UCONN, which is a state school, for two reason - one, think I'd thrive in the high-paced environment of an intensive program, and two, the UCONN program gives you nine additional credits beyond the BNS that count toward the master's program. Eventually, I would like to go back for the Master or DNP program. It's expensive, but in terms of value for money it's a pretty good deal.

I'm searching now for scholarships specifically for males and second career students. My female nurse friends tell me that males are much welcome in the field - I hope that's true! :)

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Jason- I am am also a single parent who just finished a 16 month BSN program that was night /weekend so I could keep my full time day job. Because I already had a bachelors in another field I could only get loans but up to only a certain point. It didn't completely cover everything. Thank God that I has my 401 K at my employer that I could tap into as well as my schools internal scholarship

So if you don't have a bachelors already you should be able to get grants and loans from the government that are very low interest and I know from experience are very flexible with payback options. If you do have a bachelors you can still get gov loans but no grants

Good luck to you :)

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You should look into the nurse corps scholarship program.

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