#pre nursing

[moonchildstudent]

Lab exam tomorrow. I'm learning all these bacteria and I will pass my exam

[iwoulddie4-poetry]

[academiario]

🩺 fall semester of sophomore year

manhattan, new york city

[planstransamanacanalpanema]

I am OK. I am doing good work. I am proud of myself.

I take good care of my cat. I take decent care of myself. I know when to fight. I know when to relax. I am going to pass my last two nursing school pre recs while working full time. I am going to get into nursing school. I am competent and capable. I am worthy of a friend's time, not as a transaction, but because I am an interesting and worthy human being.

[trapmusiicandmakeup]

Distracting myself from studying knowing I need to study so I always put on a medical based tv show to help me get back into the groove 😫

[sleep-safe]

hate the term “lifestyle diseases” i hate it !!!

[nursing-school-struggle-bus]

Tip #7

Okay, sorry for the late posting I had this all ready to go up on Wednesday but then something happened that COMPLETELY changed what I wanted to say and how I wanted to say it. 

Today’s topic of advice is *drumroll.....* SCHOLARSHIPS!!!! (or just free money)

I've said it before and I will say it again. NURSING SCHOOL IS NOT CHEAP, ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU ALREADY DON’T HAVE MONEY.

Now, you may be thinking, what in the world. Scholarships are impossible, so many people apply, and not enough people win what is this girl on about. Well, I will inform you that my private university education would have cost around 160K. I have only had to pay 12k, and on Wednesday I got notice that I got a scholarship that will cover the rest of my college education. Meaning I will not have to pay anything else. Does that mean I'm going to stop applying to scholarships? No, because I have 12k in loans to pay. The goal right now is to win scholarships to pay for my student loans. Because crippling debt is not something I want.  

SO I will bestow you my knowledge and methodology to how I managed to wrangle 148k of free money. 

Before we even begin. Scholarship applications are not for the faint of heart. The amount of scholarships I apply to per year is insane, and you have to not get discouraged from not winning. You just have to accept that sometimes you win and sometimes you lose and keep applying until you win. Plus after applying to so many scholarships, I am convinced that they make these applications long so that you give up halfway through.

First things first. You obviously have to have good grades. Like, common guys, its called a scholarship. they are not going to give money to someone that is NOT a scholar. Now I'm not saying that you have to be the class valedictorian or that you have to be Suma Cum Laude. Just have good grades. Not perfect, just good. 

Secondly, volunteer hours. Just because you are no longer in high school does not mean that you can stop volunteering places. First of all, you should already be volunteering anyways for resume purposes. But also, scholarship committees are LOOKING for things that make you look like upstanding citizens. If you want extra brownie points volunteer someplace consistently or someplace healthcare-related. (be careful volunteering at hospitals because sometimes they are very demanding) I used to volunteer (before the world ended) at the Ronald Mcdonald house in the medical center. They had reasonable hours, were medically related, and I volunteered on a consistent basis (proving responsibility). 

Thirdly, befriend your professors, tutors, counselors in your nursing school. Make yourself stand out in some way and show your dedication to your future career. They are the people that will write your letters of recommendation. 

Fourthly, this one sounds stupid, but I almost had a stroke when I realized this. SAVE YOUR NURSING SCHOOL ACCEPTANCE LETTER. I was very careless with mine and just shoved it in a folder and forgot about it and when one scholarship asked for a copy of it I COULD NOT FIND IT FOR THE LIFE OF ME. 

Fifthly, keep a binder with any dean’s list certificate, acceptance, letters, award letters, resumes old and new, Etc. This will make it easier for you to keep track when everything is due and when you have to ask for it. 

Lastly, this one goes out to more organization because I am ever so anal particular about how things need to be. Start a google doc with your friends with all the scholarships that you have to apply to within the year. Under each scholarship name, you will have the date applications open, the website, the date applications are due, and any outside resources (rec letters, transcripts, etc.) needed. 

Now for actual places to apply for scholarships:

1. FAFSA

I don't care if you want to do it or not, this is free money or loans with almost zero % interest. You fill this form out regardless. If you are concerned about your parent's income lemme give you a tip. If your parents are not paying anything for your schooling and you aren’t eligible for any money because your parent's income is very high then get yourself emancipated. (did not do this because it is not true and I don’t need it but my friends have) You will then be recognized as an independent and because your income is so low your government aid goes up. 

2. University Scholarships 

Make sure to apply to all the scholarships that your school offers you just for existing and having a decent GPA. 

3. University website

The financial aid office will help you if you pester them enough. Now my school compiles a list of outside scholarships for students to apply to. This is a great way to find opportunities in your city, community, and even major-specific. 

4. Scholarships with companies

One of the scholarships that I received was through the company that my dad worked in. I know that several other companies offer this opportunity to the children their workers. I know that some companies like Target and CFA also offer scholarships to current employees. 

5. Church Scholarships

Churches are really nice places to also find scholarships. I know that at some schools the schools match the amount that the church awards you. 

6. Major specific scholarships

With one quick google search, you can find several nonprofits and corporations that seek to give out scholarships to specific majors 

7. NSNA Scholarship  

If I’ve said it once I've probably said it three other times at some point. With your memberships, you can apply to a HUGE scholarship. I have not won this but my classmates have. Amazing opportunity. 

Now I have equipped you with a ton of information. All I have to say now is good luck. Do not get discouraged by the applications (it’s all a scam to make you give up).  If you ever need any help with any applications ever, Let me know. I’ll help you hustle. 

[studentnursebecca]

throwback to A&P studying