Paying for Nursing school

[fallenangel76]

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If anyone was successful in doing this, please share with me. I am in the process of taking my pre-requisites for Nursing school. Currently, just looking at the AA program since I don't have the time or money to go to a straight BSN program, and also I already have a Bachelors degree. Thus, I'm working full time in the corporate world, and going to class at night.

Someone suggest that you find a job in a hospital and then get them to pay for your nursing school. I was told that due to the nursing shortage, if you promise to work for them for a certain length of time, they will pay for your nursing school if you work at the hospital in whatever position. However, since I currently work in the Human Resources field, if a candidate called me up and told me that they are applying for a receptionist position but want to go to nursing school, I would probably not hire that person. The reason is because it doesn't make busines sense. He/she will be leaving in 1-2 years after they get into Nursing school, thus means I will have to then hire another person and then train that person. I want to find a job at a hospital, I don't care what it is (okay, maybe not janitoral) so that way they can help pay for my nursing school. Do you think I'm crazy?

 

[Brill]

No, you're not crazy. I work at a hospital and I know at least half a dozen people that work there while attending nursing school. Most of them work as CNA's. They work there while in nursing school and agree to work for the hospital for two years when they graduate. They also get paid for 36 hours and only work 24. Not a bad deal. I don't see any reason why someone wouldn't take advantage of such programs.

 

[HopeLYSromantic]

It's all about the loans... I do work in a hospital about 24-40 hours a week as a CNA/PCA but I don't get any extras outside of my hourly rate... I don't recieve financial aid because the state of NJ seems to think I make too much money??? BUT that's a whole other topic...Anyway I've been taking out signature student loans from salliemae. The intrest is a bit higher because they are private loans BUT... it's soo nice not to have to kill myself trying to pay my bills and tution like I've done in the past. I will have debt when I graduate BUT... it won't be much as a hardship when working as an RN...

 

[fallenangel76]

Thank you all for your respone. I guess it doesn't hurt to try. I actually don't really want to go get a CNA, just apply for jobs such as dept. secretary or admittings clerk or something like that. Just want to know whether it's do-able or not. Another friend of mine tried to get a job at a hospital but told them that she's going to Nursing school. They didn't hire her because of that reason, because they were looking for someone long-term. She applied for a secretary job also but was denyed the position.

Well, I'll try anyways. Wish me luck!!

 

[manna]

If you already have a degree, have you looked into an accelerated BSN?

Also... there's also federal and state government-sponsored scholarship programs - where they pay your tuition/supplies/living expenses, in return for a work commitment (usually in an underserved area) following graduation.

Check out http://www.allnurses.com for more nursing bulletin boards. Lots of great information there.

Also http://www.discovernursing.com has a big list of nursing scholarships

Good luck! 🙂

 

[agent]

I will be working full time and doing clinicals 3-4 nights a week. I'm sure it will require lots of coffee 😉

 

[fallenangel76]

Hi Manna,
Yes, I do have a bachelors, but not in Nursing. I have a BA in Sociology. Many of the accelerated BSN programs require you to have an AA in Nursing, which I don't have.

I should read more on the 2 websites you suggested. I did look at the scholarship listings, but mostely are for Masters or people entering the straight BSN program. But I'll look more closely.

Thanks for all your inputs and suggestions!!

Angela

 

[obadya00]

there are many accelerated nursing programs out there that require nursing prereqs and a BA from another unrelated field
however, they are very expensive. depending on what school
you are deciding to go to. i suggest you ask around. they are becoming very popular. every teaching hospital has some type of tuition reimbursement program. the hospital that my school was associated (usually the hospitals associated with a nursing school give the best deals) with gave 5,000 towards loans per year you worked. i have a friend who was a sitter then a pct while attending nursing school (the hospital paid her way). since you have HR experience try to work at a hospital that has a nursing program so you can get tuition remission and go to school at night. like i said before 80-90% of teaching hospitals have some form of tuition reimbursement/remission. the key is don't work as a cna at any hospital unless the hospital is paying your way for school

 

[Kim2003]

At the hospital I work at, many students work as CNA's/ward secretary, phlebotomists, etc..while attending nursing school. They use this position as a stepping stone. Seems to be easier getting a position as a graduate nurse this way.