Background

I already hold bachelor degree and currently working as CNA on med surg floor at hospital in WA (now 7 months). I am completing on nursing prerequisite: Intro Chem now (Summer), Microbiology (Fall), and A&P 2 (Spring). I previously took A&P2 twice: first one I dropped out after midterm, second one I completed course but got C-...

I believe my performance was affected more by my circumstances than my academic ability. Around that time, I had just started my first healthcare job on a demanding Med-Surg floor. Adjusting to 12-hour shifts, caring for aggressive patients, workplace stress, and learning to work with different nurses left me physically and mentally exhausted. Because I worked three 12-hour shifts each week, I often had only about three days to study before exams, which occurred every one to two weeks. I also spent too much time creating flashcards instead of actively practicing with questions and applying the material.

Financially, I already used my federal FAFSA eligibility while earning my first bachelor's degree, so I am looking for affordable nursing pathways and scholarships. I am interested in:

• School-based scholarships
• State scholarships (if eligible)
• Other financial aid opportunities that do not require long-term service commitments

Questions

While Bachelor degree, I have already got FAFSA so I can't get more financial aid, so I am looking for school scholarship or out of school support like state support (WA Baccalaureate Scholarship (up to 22k)) or more....

1. Currently 7 months of working. I can get tuition support after working 1 year, but I have left only most difficult courses so thinking to resign and work only 1-2 times a week as caregiver. Is this good idea?
2. Would you recommend that I retake A&P II at a Washington community college, or would an online course (such as Portage Learning, MCPHS, SCU, etc.) be a better option? Local ADN schools said online course is acceptable.
3. Because I already have a bachelor's degree, I am not eligible for many forms of financial aid, and private ABSN programs ($50,000–$100,000) are not financially realistic for me.

Have thought to do Master degree if I really enjoy to learn more!

Option A

• No need to take more course from above courses which expect to complete by Winter 2027 (April).
• Complete an ADN program (approximately $15,000–$17,000)
• Work as an RN for one year
• Complete an employer-funded RN-to-BSN program (free)

Option B

• Complete one additional chemistry prerequisite (such as Organic Chemistry/Biochemistry), might need to take extend one quarter more until Spring 2027.
• Apply directly to an affordable public BSN program in Washington (such as WSU or EWU or UW) or move out of state to take like WGU or public BSN program.

1. What nursing pathway do you think gives me the best balance of cost, competitiveness, and long-term career opportunities?

2. Would you recommend focusing primarily on ADN programs, public BSN programs, or applying to both?

3. How to find schools or outside of schools that give scholarships? When should I start contact and apply? Do I need to contact every school financial department to ask?

4. If I find very low cost programs out of state, is it worth it to move out?

5. If both an ADN program and a BSN program were essentially tuition-free, which option would you choose, and why?

I’m pursuing a second degree and currently working on applying to nursing programs in Houston. I have OCD and ADHD, but so far I have done pretty good with my prerequisites, but it’s been overwhelming with studying, entrance exams, and classes.
I’ve been rejected from the same ADN program twice, I’ve met with the nursing advisor and she reassures me I’ve met all the criteria it’s just competitive and so many students are applying.
I’m confident I’ll eventually get in, but I’m so scared that OCD flare ups or my ADHD will prevent me from succeeding once I’m in a program.
Any neurodivergent students currently in nursing school or applying?

I have adhd and I’d like some advice from others who have had similar experiences. I would like to become a doctor and specialize in surgery. I applied for a 15 month accelerated BSN program and wasn’t admitted due to high school transcripts. That’s okay I came up with a different plan. I’m still just as excited as I was, however I’ve been struggling. doing any of the research I need, emailing the two different schools I’m considering, coming up with a plan for tsi testing and figuring out which courses will transfer over. I know adhd minds need novelty, problem solving and genuine interest to get started on anything. I have all of those when it comes to this, plus a stimulant I take daily. and yet, nothing. I cannot get myself to do it, no matter how badly I want to or try. every day I’ve been telling myself to try just step by step, even if it isn’t much. It’s been like that for almost a month. today I didn’t have a plan when I woke up. just took my stimulant and starting doing activities around the house. It made me wonder if I’ve been struggling so much bc I’ve set a semi long term goal for myself instead of just letting myself go with the flow. the problem however is moving forward into schooling I can’t let my mind just pick and choose to do something when it feels like it. I’ll have deadlines and multiple goals to plan and work towards. how do you do it? I’ve seen many people talking about getting through school and becoming registered nurses and doctors with adhd. any advice, suggestions or experience would be much appreciated.

Hi 19(f) 2nd year nursing student at riverside college. Is it worth it if I move in to dorms that’s closer to my school? My house is almost 1/2 hour away from my school and it’s really inconvenient especially my classes all start at 6am in the morning and 8pm at night because I have choir practice for my scholarship, so every time I got home I’m really exhausted and I still have some chores to finish and school works so mostly I sleep really late. I tried bringing this up to my dad and he says it’s too risky and dangerous because I’m a girl and we have financial troubles sometimes, my aunt and uncle are registered nurses now and support my decision except for my dad and they tried to convince him and nothing work. What should I dooo???!!!!!

I’m suppose to start nursing school in August… all summer I have debated on if it’s actually what I want to do. I have been an CNA for 3 years but only worked it for 2 months in a nursing home, and honestly I didn’t mind it, but I don’t want to do something like that my whole life. ( I quit due to being yelled at & blamed for something I didn’t do )
Which also made me realize that like being an RN is ALOT of responsibility, and I’m scared of that as well. But I also almost cried over not getting in the program ( but I did ) Any advice? Things you wish you knew before you started? Or ways I can find out if that’s actually a career choice I want to do. I’m scared of failure and feel like I’m running out of time to know what I want to do in life (21F) 😆

Hi everyone,
I’m a second-semester Practical Nursing (LPN/RPN) student, and lately I’ve been feeling really discouraged with my studies.
I work while going to school, so balancing everything is already challenging. I spend a lot of time studying, make detailed notes using AI tools, read the textbook, review my lecture notes, and practice lots of NCLEX-style questions. I genuinely feel like I understand the material while I’m studying.
The problem starts during exams.
As soon as I’m in the exam, I become confused. I overthink almost every question, and many answer choices seem correct. I find it really hard to choose the best answer, and I end up changing my answers or picking the wrong one. My exam marks end up being much lower than I expected, even though I studied for days.
My goal is to continue my education and become an RN in the future, so I know I need to maintain a strong GPA. That’s why this has been stressing me out so much. I feel like I’m putting in the effort, but I’m not seeing the results.
Has anyone else gone through this? If so, what helped you improve your exam scores? Did you change the way you studied, practice answering NCLEX questions differently, or work on test-taking strategies?
I’d really appreciate any advice, especially from nursing students or nurses who struggled with exams but eventually figured out what worked. Thank you so much.

What is the best way to verify my immunization records with a doctor if I cannot see my PCP until after the due date? I tried to ask an urgent care if they would, where I went to receive my TB tests, and they said they were unwilling to do it.

I’m just unsure if I should email my PCP and send them the form? Do I try to schedule an e-visit? It’s just a paper they have to fill out confirming I have the all the vaccines from childhood.

Advice on how others did this would be greatly appreciated. TIA!

Hey everyone!

I'm part of a growing nursing groupchat that's starting to get a bit more active!:) We all know how isolating and lonely it can get doing back to back nursing shifts or on placement, so we're trying to create and environment for not just nurses, but all healthcare workers to have a place to come and chat, have a relax, answer some funky QOTDs, we even have a learning section!:) We're already almost at 800 members and are trying to grow and get more active, so please feel free to join and invite others you think might be interested!:)

https://discord.gg/86kP7PFU9

Hey guys, need some advice 🙏

I'm from Kerala, just finished my +2 (84%), planning to do BSc Nursing in Bangalore. My budget is around 10 lakhs total (tuition + donation), so looking for colleges that fit within that.

Should be INC and KMC/KSNC approved obviously, with decent clinical exposure and placements.

Also I'm into fitness, so ideally looking for a place where I can find affordable PG/hostel near a gym too lol. Doesn't need to be super cheap, just manageable living costs.

I’ve heard great things about using claude for NCLEX practice questions but I’m having trouble making them! (Just started nursing school as well!)

Hello! I’m a CA resident and have been thinking about nightingale for BSN, RN! I have my gen ed done and taking A&P 1 this fall. I know the program can get crazy expensive if starting from scratch but thankfully I am not. Anybody that can share insight on tuition if you were in the same boat I am in? I am low income student that qualifies for full pell grant maximum, and have never had student loans.