# Nursing school and school loans

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nursing-school-and-school-loans/642618>\
**Category:** In My Humble Opinion\
**Created:** [November 30, 2012, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nursing-school-and-school-loans/642618 "2012-11-30T21:54:02Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![jackdavinci](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackdavinci/32/3259_2.png) [@jackdavinci](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jackdavinci)\
**Post date:** [November 30, 2012, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nursing-school-and-school-loans/642618/1 "2012-11-30T21:54:02Z")

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Mostly advice, so IMHO but there’s some GQ in here too. I have in mind to go back to school for an RN degree (that’s better than LPN right?).

Hopefully I can just do a two year or less program since I already got a BA years ago, with a few science classes so I won’t have to start completely from scratch.

1. Can I get student loans? I know nothing at all about it. Parents paid the first time around. I have some money saved but it’s not enough for more than a semester or two. I’m unemployed and have not so great credit. Is it still possible?

2. Assuming I can’t get a loan, I’ve heard that hospitals will sometimes help you get a nursing degree if you already work there in some other capacity. Are there any technical hospital positions I could get qualified for more cheaply and quicker, that would help me get my foot in the door? And is that even a thing?

Long Island, New York, if it matters.

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**Author:** ![Kimballkid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/b5a626/32.png) [@Kimballkid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimballkid)\
**Post date:** [November 30, 2012, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nursing-school-and-school-loans/642618/2 "2012-11-30T22:22:17Z")

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There are student loans specifically for students seeking a Nursing degree. These loans are governed by the Department of Health and Human Services, but administered by the schools. More information [here](http://www.everychanceeverytexan.org/funding/aid/fddhhs.php). The school I work at offers Nursing loans.

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**Author:** ![Dangerosa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/22d042/32.png) [@Dangerosa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dangerosa)\
**Post date:** [November 30, 2012, 10:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nursing-school-and-school-loans/642618/3 "2012-11-30T22:29:51Z")

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There is also this that won’t pay for school, but will repay your loans:

[http://www.benefits.gov/benefits/benefit-details/449](http://www.benefits.gov/benefits/benefit-details/449)

My sister and cousin both had their loans repaid by working for the VA.

I suspect you won’t have many problems getting student loans for nursing. HOWEVER, a friend who had a B.A. had about a year worth of prereqs in order to get into the two year nursing program - if you haven’t had stats, chemistry, biology - that sort of thing - you’ll spend a year getting those out of the way - and if it was years ago, you may need to retake them.

Talk to a nursing school.

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**Author:** ![jackdavinci](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackdavinci/32/3259_2.png) [@jackdavinci](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jackdavinci)\
**Post date:** [December 1, 2012, 12:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nursing-school-and-school-loans/642618/4 "2012-12-01T00:31:03Z")

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Thanks! Any idea about the in house advancement thing?