So many questions and so little time to decide...

classicdame, MSN, EdD · Oct 29, 2012

the people you need to talk to are the school advisors. We have no way of knowing what options are available to students specifically. Good luck on your search!

Flnolegirl · Oct 29, 2012

If you have to get loans there is a loan forgiveness progran for RN's.

MatteyIce · Oct 29, 2012

the people you need to talk to are the school advisors. We have no way of knowing what options are available to students specifically. Good luck on your search!

Yea I know... But I have to set up an phone appointment which is extremely hard when you don't live in the city where the college is... Add that to the fact it's a NYC school and they aren't really "helpful" for lack of a better word... I know I put a lot of information in my original post, but basically I just want to know what people think the easiest route to take without a lot of risk...

Also, there seems to be Nursing Programs outside of the regular Community Colleges and 4 year Institutions... Do you recommend these type of programs???

MatteyIce · Oct 29, 2012

If you have to get loans there is a loan forgiveness progran for RN's.

But isn't this exclusive to certain jobs and companies???

Flnolegirl · Oct 29, 2012

If I remember correctly you have to work for a non profit organization or a teaching facility. I work for Shands Jacksonville which is a teaching hospital.

MatteyIce · Oct 29, 2012

If I remember correctly you have to work for a non profit organization or a teaching facility. I work for Shands Jacksonville which is a teaching hospital.

Thank-you... I will look this up shortly...

Morganalefey · Oct 29, 2012

I just googled "scholarships for black males" and a ton of links pop up. You could also google "scholarships for veterans" and see what you get, as well.

It might be a good idea to post on the NY board, here on AN, to see what those nurses think about ADN vs BSN. They can also give you a good idea what the job market is like there :)

I, personally, have an ADN, but sort of wish I had sucked it up and gone the extra year for a BSN.

Before I applied for nursing school, I retook a few pre-req's, because, like you, I didn't take it seriously at 19. I was dedicated, spent a lot of time studying, and got into nursing school w/a 4.0GPA. I have no doubt that you are capable of doing it as well! I know retaking classes is a pain, and it slows down your entry, but I still found it to be the most practical way for me to get what I wanted.

Best of luck to you :)

MatteyIce · Oct 30, 2012

I just googled "scholarships for black males" and a ton of links pop up. You could also google "scholarships for veterans" and see what you get, as well.
It might be a good idea to post on the NY board, here on AN, to see what those nurses think about ADN vs BSN. They can also give you a good idea what the job market is like there :)
I, personally, have an ADN, but sort of wish I had sucked it up and gone the extra year for a BSN.
Before I applied for nursing school, I retook a few pre-req's, because, like you, I didn't take it seriously at 19. I was dedicated, spent a lot of time studying, and got into nursing school w/a 4.0GPA. I have no doubt that you are capable of doing it as well! I know retaking classes is a pain, and it slows down your entry, but I still found it to be the most practical way for me to get what I wanted.
Best of luck to you :)

Thank you so much... I don't think you understand how much this helped me and mean to me... I took your advice went to the New York section and did a little more research found out that Pace University (which has a top 80 Nursing school) has late admission (December 1) for Spring 2013... Veterans have their application fee waived... AND 50% off of tuition... I almost had a heart attack looking at all this... LOL... Thanks so much... Of course taking pre-req's is going to be much easier now, I don't have to rush to try to get into Nursing School... Plus it's in NYC!!!

HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD · Oct 30, 2012

Beware of commercial (for-profit) schools. They will offer endless enticements (like that 50% off "sale" on tuition) because their entire focus is on maximizing recruitment in order to capture all the $ they can. They usually have very high-pressure tactics to get you to sign on the dotted line & will nag/harass if you are hesitant. They really don't care if students actually complete the program... after all, they already have the $. Their tuition is also sky-high in comparison to traditional schools - that's why they can have the periodic 'sales'.... LOL.

As an nurse educator, I can also assure you that commercial schools are considered to be an academic "ghetto" for teachers. They do not provide a true academic environment that fosters professional career growth and development. Instead, they rely on 'temps' (adjunct faculty) with questionable credentials that would not be qualified to teach in traditional programs.

KelRN215, BSN, RN · Oct 30, 2012

If I remember correctly you have to work for a non profit organization or a teaching facility. I work for Shands Jacksonville which is a teaching hospital.

It depends what loan program you go through.

Federally, Perkins Loans are forgiveable for all nurses. Federal Nursing loans are only forgiveable if you work in a "Health Professional Shortage Area". Private loans are not forgiveable for nurses. I have only ever worked for non-profits and spent the first 4 1/2 years of my career in an academic medical center... I have been paying student loans for the past 5 years and will be paying them for the next 5 at least.

MatteyIce · Oct 30, 2012

Beware of commercial (for-profit) schools. They will offer endless enticements (like that 50% off "sale" on tuition) because their entire focus is on maximizing recruitment in order to capture all the $ they can. They usually have very high-pressure tactics to get you to sign on the dotted line & will nag/harass if you are hesitant. They really don't care if students actually complete the program... after all, they already have the $. Their tuition is also sky-high in comparison to traditional schools - that's why they can have the periodic 'sales'.... LOL.
As an nurse educator, I can also assure you that commercial schools are considered to be an academic "ghetto" for teachers. They do not provide a true academic environment that fosters professional career growth and development. Instead, they rely on 'temps' (adjunct faculty) with questionable credentials that would not be qualified to teach in traditional programs.

Every Private Institution is for profit... No?? From NYU and Columbia to Howard University and Georgetown... Pace is an actual traditional unversity though... Ranked in US News rankings...

Or were you replying to my OP asking about those programs with no wait lists??? The 2 years joints that may or may not have accreditation??? The 50% off of tuition is exclusively for Veterans so it isn't a sale tatic (maybe the school is probably getting some type of federal funding for it idk...)

Since you are a Nursing Educator, my cousin felt the need to go to one of these nursing schools without a accreditation... Her reason RN's at her job went there (a Nursing Home) and they had no problem finding a job... What you think??? I think is pointless if you plan on leaving the area...

Thanks for the information though!!!