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Nursing Career
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Question:
I have heard of the shortage of nurses and am considering this field but I don't know if the cost of the education would be worth it at my age. I had heard there was federal loan forgiveness programs available for nursing students but it seems that the loans are for undergraduates. Anyone know of something I may have not heard about? I am in Pennsylvania.
Answer:
To start as a registered nurse, you need either an associate's or bachelor’s degree *in nursing*. No matter what degrees you already hold, you will have to complete nursing-specific programs and take and use whichever *nursing* degree, associate's or bachelor's, the nursing school you attend awards. Therefore, until you go for a master's degree or higher *in nursing*, you’ll be an undergraduate in nursing by default.
Be more concerned with the terms of loan forgiveness programs and less with the actual cost of a nursing program. Look carefully at the conditions you will have to meet to fulfill your part of the loan. Is there a limit on what programs you can attend, how long you have to finish the program, where you will be required to work once you've graduated, how long you'll have to work there, etc. (Think Northern Exposure.)
What degree do you want? What kind of program do you want? What schools are close to where you live? Do you have family obligations? Will you attend full time or part time? Have you been to any local schools and gotten the lowdown on financial aid, grants, and scholarships--sounds like you haven't!
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