How To Pay For Nursing School

Becoming a nurse is big endeavour, from applying and being accepted into a nursing school to managing the coursework and practicums, let alone figuring out how to finance the degree. One way to keep costs down at the beginning of your nursing program is to take your pre-requisite classes at a local community college or through distance learning. Both of these options have far more reasonable tuition fees, and allow you to study without relocating. This cuts down your cost of living and has the added benefit of allowing you to keep a job you may already hold. However, once you are accepted into a nursing program, many of which start in your second year of studies, you likely will need to attend a college or university, which does indeed mean you face higher tuition and cost of living expenses.

While you may find that you can find a job that fits into your schedule, you may also discover that scheduling can be far more of a challenge than it is for many students, as you will need to also schedule your labs, volunteering, practicums and internships. You may also have more group work, as classes generally are formed into cohorts, which are more of a challenge to organize. As well, since you will likely be working your practicums in hospitals, you will also have to deal with shift work, something that employers of your paying jobs may find challenging and not worth scheduling around.

Fortunately, you do have many opportunities to access financial aid. Both banks and the government provide student loans, and there are also many awards such as bursaries, scholarships and grants available.
When you investigate student loans, take the time to compare the benefits and drawbacks to both options – you may find that one type of loan fits your needs better, short or long term. There are considerable differences between government and bank loans.

When it comes to awards, again, be diligent in your search and research – not only are there many general scholarships and grants available, but there are also some specifically for certain fields of study, such as geriatrics or paediatrics.

By: Jon Ginsburg

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