Nursing is a great career. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics [1], the median pay for a registered nurse was $70,000 in 2017. Better yet, demand for registered nurses is expected to grow 15% by 2026, much faster than most jobs, thanks largely to a generation of aging, but still active baby boomers.
Nurses are trusted, too: Gallup polls has rated nurses the most honest and ethical of all professions—for the past 16 years in a row (and counting)[2].
But nursing school isn't cheap. RN bridge and BSN bridge programs cost $20,000-$40,000 dollars or more. Numbers like that can have you calling for a nurse yourself. That’s why most nursing students turn to financial aid for help.
The quick and easy way to get all the financial help you can handle
Thankfully, there's plenty of financial aid out there. Better yet, as the demographic of the “typical” college student becomes wider and more diverse, more and more financial aid institutions are expanding their funding options and loosening application requirements.
In fact, according to the National Center for Education Statistics[3]:
- 72% of undergraduate students received some form of financial aid for the 2015-2016 school year
- The average total amount received by these students was $12,300
The numbers make it clear: No matter what your demographic data, career status, or financial situation, you have an excellent chance of obtaining some form of financial aid.
There are plenty of different nursing financial aid options to explore—even if you have a full-time job, and even if you’ve been out of school for a while. To help you sort them out, we put together a quick and comprehensive resource on financial aid options. This guide was specifically written for nursing students who are interested in earning their RN or BSN.
Our free downloadable guide, "How to Pay for an RN Bridge Program or a BSN Bridge Program" is carefully crafted to help you map your approach to financial aid, including how and why to apply for:
- Institutional Aid
- Private Scholarships
- Private Loans
- Employer Tuition Assistance
So if you’re thinking about nursing school or any type of RN bridge program, pin down your financial aid plan first. Download "How to Pay for Your RN or BSN Bridge Program."
Need more guidance? Contact us for personalized assistance.
*This article was updated and republished to provide new information.
[1] https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/registered-nurses.htm#tab-1
[2] https://news.gallup.com/poll/224639/nurses-keep-healthy-lead-honest-ethical-profession.aspx
