< Previous8 American Nurse Journal • 2020-2021 E DUCATION AND C AREER G UIDE MyAmericanNurse.com 2020-2021 Education and Career Guide A re you looking for a new career opportu- nity? Consider these specialties, which experts say will be in demand for the near future: forensic nursing, health coaching, le- gal nurse consulting, nephrology nursing (acute and chronic), nursing and healthcare innovation, nursing informatics, primary care nursing (nurs- ing in settings outside the hospital), and school nursing. Many employers also will be seeking nurse practitioners and nurse scientists. Here’s an overview of some of these roles from nurses working in them. You can access profiles for the others online at myamerican- nurse.com/?p=67427 . School nurse Robin Cogan, MEd, RN, NCSN School nursing is an independent specialty prac- tice that combines the best of public health and pediatric nursing. School nurses are responsible for the health and safety of their students, staff, and school community. The National Association of School Nurses says, “School nursing, a spe- cialized practice of nursing, protects and pro- motes student health, facilitates optimal develop- ment, and advances academic success. School nurses, grounded in ethical and evidence-based practice, are the leaders who bridge healthcare and education, provide care coordination, advo- cate for quality student-centered care, and col- laborate to design systems that allow individuals and communities to develop their full potential.” Characteristics needed. Successful school nurses are flexible and can practice inde- pendently. Rewards. Watching children grow and flourish throughout their most formative years and connecting with families are just a few of the rewards of school nursing. Challenges. Working in isolation with limited resources is one of the greatest challenges, along with nurse-to-student ratios that can be unsafe and untenable. One school nurse responsible for hundreds, if not thousands, of students, sometimes in multiple buildings, isn’t unusual. Education requirements. No universal edu- cation requirements exist for school nurses. Many states require state certification through the department of education, much like a teacher, while other school nurses work for the department of health. The Nationally Cer- tified School Nurse credential involves taking a rigorous exam through the National Board of Certification of School Nurses. The creden- tial reflects competence and professionalism. Professional associations. The National As- sociation of School Nurses (NASN) supports school nurses across the country through on- going, high-level, professional development that includes continuing nurse education via online courses, webinars, podcasts, and an annual conference. NASN has two peer-re- viewed journals: The Journal of School Nurs- ing and NASN School Nurse. Bottom line. “School nursing is an inde- pendent specialty practice that ensures our nation’s 56 million students are safe, healthy, and ready to learn.” Robin Cogan, The Relentless School Nurse, blogs at relentlessschoolnurse.com and serves as a Nurse In- fluencer for American Nurse Journal. She’s a Na- tionally Certified School Nurse, currently in her 19th year as a New Jersey school nurse in the Camden City School District. Watch Robin talk about her role at myamericannurse.com/?p=67461 Legal nurse consultant Laura Grossman Nissim, MS, RN, CNS, LNCC Legal nurse consultants (LNCs) review and ana- lyze facts and information identified in legal cas- es that involve an injury. They use their nursing Trending jobs Learn about specialties in demand from nurses in the roles. Robin CoganMyAmericanNurse.com June 2020 American Nurse Journal • 2020-2021 E DUCATION AND C AREER G UIDE 9 and research skills, knowledge of nursing theo- ry, and familiarity with medicine and healthcare systems to evaluate medical records in various types of litigation, including medical malprac- tice, personal injury, and workers compensation. Characteristics needed. LNCs should have experience in theoretical and clinical nursing and possess a general knowledge of health- care. Reviewing medical records, translating information for use in litigation, and writing and reporting on findings require strong re- search and analysis skills. Rewards. Legal consulting offers a great deal of flexibility. LNCs can work independently, manage their own business, or work as a con- sultant or an employee for law firms, insurance carriers, hospitals, or government agencies. Challenges. Educating attorneys about the difference in value and expertise between LNCs and paralegals can be challenging. LNCs go far beyond the paralegal role to provide more ana- lytical thinking and theoretical knowledge. Educational requirements. No education or certification requirements specific to practicing as an LNC are required, but obtaining certifica- tion as an LNCC ® through the American Asso- ciation of Legal Nurse Consultants (AALNC) demonstrates expertise. The LNCC is the only legal nurse consulting credential recognized by the Accreditation Board for Specialty Nurs- ing Certification. Professional associations. AALNC is the only nonprofit organization for LNCs. It publishes the peer-reviewed Journal of Legal Nurse Con- sultants and offers education via webinars, on- line courses, and an annual conference. Bottom line. “Legal nurse consulting is a re- markably interesting and exciting way to meld nursing knowledge with the law. My experi- ence working as a legal nurse has afforded me the opportunity to use my nursing skills practi- cally in a field that impacts a variety of popula- tions, legal situations, and business practices.” Laura Grossman Nissim is a board-certified legal nurse consultant and president of AALNC. Watch Barbara talk about her role at myamericannurse.com/?p=67467 Dialysis nurse Barbara Odom, BSN, RN, CDN Dialysis nurses administer kidney replacement therapy treatments needed by patients who have either end-stage kidney disease or acute kidney injury. Therapy can be provided in outpatient settings (for example in-center or at-home hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis) or acute-care settings where dialysis nurses may administer or coordinate hemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis, continuous renal replace- ment therapy, or plasmapheresis therapies. Characteristics needed. Dialysis nurses must be self-directed (both with tasks and the pursuit of knowledge), compassionate, and passionate about improving patient outcomes and quality of life. In addition, they must be able to work well with indi- viduals from a variety of backgrounds and function well as a vital team member or leader. Rewards. Providing holistic care to a pop- ulation of patients dealing with a complex condition can be very rewarding. Dialysis nurses have the privilege of sharing both the joys and sorrows of the patients they work with on a regular basis, which allows for a strong, family-like bond. In acute-care set- tings, dialysis nurses have the opportunity to comfort and encourage those struggling to understand and manage a complex illness and a sudden change in health status. Challenges. Compassion fatigue can be a challenge when working with the chronicity of end-stage renal disease. For dialysis nurs- es working in acute-care settings, taking call is the greatest challenge. Education requirements. Nurses with vary- ing levels of nursing education will find ex- citing and challenging career options within the different dialysis settings (outpatient clin- ics, hospital dialysis services, chronic kidney care clinics, nursing schools, or kidney-based medical equipment companies). Professional associations. Three associations are particularly helpful for dialysis nurses: American Nephrology Nursing Association (ANNA), National Kidney Foundation, and Hemodialysis International. ANNA publishes Nephrology Nursing Journal and offers edu- cation programs, including online options and live events. Bottom line. “Dialysis nursing is exciting and rewarding, and has many different ca- reer paths.” Barbara Odom is an acute dialysis nurse and a direc- tor for the ANNA. Watch Barbara talk about her role at myamericannurse.com/?p=67465 2020-2021 Education and Career Guide Laura Grossman Nissim Barbara Odom10 American Nurse Journal • 2020-2021 E DUCATION AND C AREER G UIDE MyAmericanNurse.com Nurse practitioner Kelly Arashin Bouthillet, DNP, APRN, CC- NS, ACNP-BC, ACNPC Nurse practitioners (NPs), one of the four ad- vanced practice registered nurse roles, focus on the diagnosis and management of acute and chronic health conditions across a variety of care settings. NPs provide patient-centric care and emphasize strategies to prevent dis- ease and promote health. Characteristics needed. Successful NPs have excellent critical thinking and problem- solving abilities and a commitment to life- long learning. Rewards. The rewards of being an NP are many and likely very personal to each NP. For me, making connections and building rela- tionships with my patients is the most reward- ing. NPs can become a part of patients’ lives. Challenges. Currently the biggest challenge is the lack of full practice authority and stan- dard practice regulations across the nation. Variability exists among states, with some hav- ing restrictions that limit NPs’ ability to prac- tice to the full extent of their education; oth- ers states are less restrictive and allow NPs to practice without physician oversight. Education requirements. NPs must com- plete additional education beyond their initial pre-licensure and baccalaureate nurse educa- tion. Entry into NP practice requires a master’s or doctorate degree and successful comple- tion of a national board certification exam. Professional associations. Several profes- sional nursing associations support NPs, in- cluding the American Nurses Association, American Association of Nurse Practitioners, and American Association of Critical-Care Nurses. In addition, specialty organizations support NPs who work in pediatric and women’s health. Many of these associations offer journals and educational opportunities. Bottom line. “Being an NP is an amazing responsibility; it allows me to serve and be a partner in the health of individuals and the community in which I live.” Kelly Arashin Bouthillet is a nurse practitioner who works at Hilton Head Island Fire/Rescue and as a hospitalist NP at Hilton Head Regional Healthcare in South Carolina. She is also adjunct nursing faculty at the University of South Carolina, Beaufort. Watch Kelly talk about her role at myamericannurse.com/?p=67463 Nurse scientist Susan B. Fowler, PhD, RN, CNRN, FAHA A nurse scientist is an advocate for the art and science of nursing, committed to creating a cul- ture of clinical inquiry, advocating for the trans- lation of knowledge into practice, and generat- ing new knowledge. Nurse scientists facilitate others’ research, provide staff development opportunities related to research and evidence- based practice, conduct their own research, and disseminate findings through publication and presentations. Some nurse scientists are univer- sity faculty who commit a designated percent- age of work time to a healthcare organization or serve in a per diem role. Characteristics needed. Nurse scientists must be able to think from A to Z (problem identification to dissemination) to generate new knowledge and incorporate research find- ings into evidence-based practice. Patience is key to enduring the research process, includ- ing ethical approval and dissemination. Rewards. Watching the learning and enthu- siasm of colleagues throughout the research process, especially dissemination of their work, is gratifying. Challenges. Many nurse scientists have diffi- culty finding time to conduct their own re- search, are frustrated by colleagues’ limited knowledge and lack of time to engage in re- search and/or evidence-based practice proj- ects, and encounter insufficient financial sup- port for nursing research. Education requirements. A terminal degree fo- cusing on research, such as a PhD, provides the nurse scientist with the knowledge and skills of the research process, as well as evidence-based practice. Nurse scientists can become certified clinical research professionals through the Soci- ety of Clinical Research Associates. Professional associations. Many nurse sci- entists are members of nursing associations dedicated to research, such as the Southern, Western, Midwest, and Eastern Nursing Re- search Societies. They also may be members of research or scientific committees of organ- izations. Bottom line. “Nurse scientists promote, sup- port, and facilitate clinical inquiry through re- search and evidence-based practice, advancing the art and science of nursing.” Susan B. Fowler is a nurse scientist in the center for nursing research at Orlando Health in Florida. 2020-2021 Education and Career Guide Kelly Arashin Bouthillet Susan B. Fowler12 American Nurse Journal • 2020-2021 E DUCATION AND C AREER G UIDE MyAmericanNurse.com 2020-2021 Education and Career Guide N urses have two options for pursuing a terminal degree—doctor of philos- ophy (PhD) and doctor of nursing practice (DNP). Use the table to compare the two so you can make an informed decision about which option is best for you. For detailed descriptions, visit myamericannurse.com/?p=67237 Erik P. Southard is a professor and DNP program director at the School of Nursing, Indiana State University in Terre Haute. PhD vs DNP Find fulfillment by making the right choice. By Erik P. Southard, DNP, RN, FNP-BC Category DNP PhD Program objective Clinical practice doctorate that prepares the Research doctorate that prepares nurse leaders to highest level of nursing practice scholars for generate new knowledge via rigorous research and administration, clinical practice, and clinical statistical analysis education Roles • Advanced practice registered nurse • Grant-funded nurse researcher • Practice manager • Nursing faculty member • Quality improvement coordinator • Nurse scientist • Innovation specialist • Director of clinical trials • Nurse informaticist • Data analyst • Clinical nurse educator • Public health nurse • Healthcare executive • Nursing epidemiologist • Healthcare executive Student entry points Postbaccalaureate or postmaster’s Postbaccalaureate or postmaster’s Applicant suitability • Prior evidence of strong scholastic achievement • Prior evidence of strong scholastic achievement with aspiration to excel in an advanced practice with analysis and problem-solving skills nursing role • Aspiration to conduct and critique research with a • Leadership skills and experiences focus on knowledge generation Program length 2-3 years of full-time study 4-5 years of full-time study Program faculty • Academic/clinical instruction provided by • Academic instruction provided by faculty with faculty with research or practice doctorates research doctorate in nursing or related field and strong history of clinical practice, quality • Faculty frequently conduct funded and nonfunded improvement, and/or project management research projects with internal and external experience partners • Instructors will have expertise in the program- focused practice role Program resources • Clinical mentors • Research lab • Clinical lab • Computing and software applications for data • Diagnostic equipment storage and analysis • Simulation lab • Dissertation funding • Clinical practice sites relevant to the program- • Established programs of research focused practice role Degree completion • Advanced coursework • Advanced coursework requirements • 1,000 postbaccalaureate clinical hours • Development and defense of research proposal • DNP project that requires planning, • Final defense of research dissertation implementation, and evaluation to demonstrate clinical scholarship Preparation to • Prepared to generate new knowledge via • Prepared to generate new knowledge via rigorous conduct research evidence translation, innovative practice research and statistical analysis change, or implementation of quality • Findings may be generalizable improvement processes • New knowledge may be transferable but not generalizable MyAmericanNurse.com June 2020 American Nurse Journal • 2020-2021 E DUCATION AND C AREER G UIDE 13 ADVANCE YOUR SCOPE OF PRACTICE Earn Credentials in an Additional Scope of Practice as a Patient Health Educator, Advocate and Coach Provide your patients with the What, Why and How of their chronic health concerns and empower them with a demystified understanding of how they can reduce or prevent disease and increase longevity. Nationally accredited by the Institute for Credentialing Excellence – this 400 hour program provides 200 ANCC approved contact hours and leads to Health Care Provider status and an NPI number as a patient health educator, to be used in today’s medical environments or your own private practice. Disease Prevention and Patient Education are two of the most urgent needs in medicine. Train today to enhance your nursing career with an additional scope of practice! Call us at 1-888-354-HEAL (4325) or visit us at www.niwh.org Nurses Save $ 650 Find out how EXCLUSIVELY for NURSES Educate, Advocate, Coach ™14 American Nurse Journal • 2020-2021 E DUCATION AND C AREER G UIDE MyAmericanNurse.com T hat the cost of college is a common concern for nurses who want to ad- vance their education isn’t surprising. But everyone has a different financial picture, so you want to estimate the actual costs and gather as much information about available funding before you take the plunge and en- roll. This article provides plenty of resources and examples, but you also may want to seek financial advice from another reputable source such as the financial aid office at the college you plan to attend, a credit union, or a bank. One word of caution if you do seek financial aid advice: Beware of scams. (See Spotting scams.) 1 Start here If it has been some time since you were last in school, you may be a bit rusty on what resources are available to help direct your choices and provide information. Start with these two resources: •U.S. Department of Education: Federal Stu- dent Aid ( studentaid.gov )—You’ll find much of the financial aid information you need here. •American Association of Colleges of Nurs- ing ( aacnnursing.org )—This is a great re- source for scholarship and nursing pro- gram information. 2 Gather information Pull together all of the personal finan- cial information you’ll need to com- plete college applications, scholarship and grant forms, and, most important, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®, fafsa.ed.gov ). (To view an information check- list, visit myamericannurse.com/?p=67381 .) To receive any financial aid from federal or state grants, loans, or work-study pro- grams, you must complete a FAFSA applica- tion. Many scholarship programs also want that information. You can complete the FAF- SA starting January 1 of each year. On the website, create a Federal Student Aid ID and complete all the information; if you can’t fin- ish it at one time, you can save your work and come back later. After you submit the FAFSA application, you’ll receive a student aid report (SAR), 2020-2021 Education and Career Guide Money matters: How to fund your nursing education Don’t miss out on the many available resources. By Debra A. Wolff, DNS, RN, PCNP Spotting scams As you investigate sources of financial aid to fund your nursing education, be on the lookout for scams. These sites can help. •FinAid: The SmartStudent Guide to Financial Aid—This group’s scholarship page about scams (finaid.org/scholarships/scams.phtml) offers advice and resources for more information. •U.S. Department of Education: Federal Student Aid—You’ll find tips for avoiding financial aid fraud and additional resources at studentaid.gov/sites/default/files/dont-get-scammed.pdf. MyAmericanNurse.com June 2020 American Nurse Journal • 2020-2021 E DUCATION AND C AREER G UIDE 15 2020-2021 Education and Career Guide which will be sent to all the schools you list on the application. The SAR has a section called the estimated family contribution where you can request two estimates—one with loan amounts and one without—to help you deter- mine how much scholarship, grant, tuition re- imbursement, or personal finances you need to aim for to cover your education costs. Re- member, you must complete a new FAFSA each year you’re enrolled in school. 3 Figure out the costs Estimating how much money you’ll need to pay for college will help you compare different school and program costs. Don’t get sticker shock the first time you look at the cost of tuition—that number will come down when you subtract available funding or eliminate unnecessary expenses. So how do you estimate college costs? One way is to use a net price calculator. The fed- eral government, through the Higher Educa- tion Opportunity Act of 2008, mandates that each school post a net price calculator on its website. The calculator provides information on direct costs such as tuition and fees as well as indirect costs such as parking and books for specific programs. To find the net price calculator on a school’s website, simply type in the phrase “net price calculator” in the site’s search box. Another option is to use one of the net price calculators located on the U.S. Department of Education website or the College Board website (collegeboard.org). Most net price calculators ask you to pro- vide some basic demographic information, such as number of dependents, to help with the calculation. Remember, the net price will be a rough estimate. Review it carefully for any costs you can quickly exclude. For exam- ple, if you own your own home and plan to commute to school, you can eliminate hous- ing costs. (See Calculate the cost.) Some college costs—such as tuition—are fixed, but many are optional or negotiable. For example, many colleges offer student health insurance. If you already have insur- ance through your employer, you may be able to opt out of the student insurance. Other costs that may be optional or negotiable are activity fees, meal plans, and orientation fees. You also might be able to save money on transportation if the school offers a bus pass at a student rate, which will save you parking fees. After you eliminate the optional or negotiable costs, you’ll see how much the total cost drops. (See Common costs .) 4 Discover the money Now that you’ve done your homework and decided where you want to go to school and have a rough estimate of costs, it’s time to locate and secure some funding to make your dream come true. Your potential sources of funding include employers, schol- arships, grants, loans, veteran’s benefits, and personal assets. Employers The first place to explore is your current em- ployer. Many organizations offer some type of tuition assistance, but ask these questions: • How is the tuition assistance distributed? Some employers pay the school directly, while others reimburse you after you’ve completed a course and received a pass- ing grade. • Are there any postgraduation obligations? Some employers will want you to sign an agreement to continue working for them for a certain number of years in exchange for assistance; if you don’t, you’ll have to pay Calculate the cost Using a net price calculator can help you estimate education costs. Access the calculators below or visit the websites of the schools you’re interested in and search for their online calculator. •U.S. Department of Education: Net Price Calculator Center—Vis- it collegecost.ed.gov/net-price to learn more about net price and how to use the calculators. You also can search for specific schools’ calculators. •College Board: Tools and calculators—Visit bigfuture.college board.org/pay-for-college/tools-calculators for access to tools to aid your scholarship search, calculate college costs, and apply for nonfederal financial aid.16 American Nurse Journal • 2020-2021 E DUCATION AND C AREER G UIDE MyAmericanNurse.com back their investment in your education. • Is there a cap on the amount available? Some employers will pay for only one course per semester or may limit the total amount you’re eligible for, even if you haven’t finished. You don’t want to be halfway through a program and learn you’re maxed out. Instead of tuition reimbursement, some em- ployers offer loans, which may be forgivable if you agree to continue working for them for a specified amount of time after graduation. Another option is an employer loan that you pay back through payroll deductions, some- times with little or no interest. Another employer benefit might be paid time off. If you work in academia, ask about taking a paid sabbatical to complete graduate education. Or ask your employer about work- ing 4 days per week but still maintaining full- time benefits. It doesn’t hurt to ask. One last benefit to check out is whether your employer offers discounts. Some schools have a contract with an employer and give students discounts if they sign up for more than the one course covered by tuition reim- bursement. Other discounts may be with dif- ferent vendors. If you need to purchase a computer, other electronic equipment, or soft- ware for school, ask your work information technology and human resources departments if they offer employee discounts. Scholarships Scholarships can be need-based and require fi- nancial information, merit-based and require a transcript or other supporting documentation about your professional goals, or membership- based and require you or someone in your family to be a member of an organization, union, alumni association, or other group. A major advantage of scholarships is that most don’t require repayment, but make sure before you apply. If possible, apply to all scholar- ships where you meet the eligibility criteria. Before you start your search, grab paper and pencil or create an Excel spreadsheet to organize what you find. Search for both na- tional and local scholarship opportunities, and apply for nursing-specific and adult stu- dent scholarships. Then look for other eligi- bility requirements—graduate student, under- graduate, minority, specific programs (for example nurse educator)—to narrow down your search. Once you establish your eligibil- ity, bookmark the website and record the scholarship name, where and how to apply, application deadline, specific requirements, contact information, scholarship amount, and any specific expectations of award winners (for example, attending an award dinner or presentation, sharing your first-year tran- script, or providing academic progress up- dates). To download a sample spreadsheet, visit myamericannurse.com/?p=67381 . Finding scholarships where you meet the eligibility requirements takes time and detec- tive work. In addition to professional nursing organizations (for example, American Nurses Association, National League for Nursing, American Organization for Nursing Leader- 2020-2021 Education and Career Guide Common costs You’ll need to consider several common costs—some fixed (such as tuition) and some optional or negotiable (such as transportation and student health insurance)—when calculating how much mon- ey you’ll need to return to school. They include: •tuition • computer/technology • student health insurance •fees • parking • clinic costs •books • transportation • dissertation costs. Tuition typically is the largest chunk of your costs. Some schools bill tuition by credit hour, and others by semester. If the school you choose bills by semester, you may pay the same amount for 12 credits as you would for 18, so think about that when you’re deciding how many credits to take. Dissertation costs can quickly add up and, depending on your topic and research methodology, may include costs for surveys, printing, statistical software, travel for data collection, transcription or editing fees, incentives for study participants, and publication expenses. The good news is that special scholarships are available to help defray dis- sertation costs. For example, Sigma Theta Tau International offers the Mary Anne Rizzolo Doctoral Research Award (bit.ly/2Y49Epc), which provides $2,500 to support a doctor of philosophy dissertation and doctor of nursing practice final project research related to nursing ed- ucation. And the Sigma Foundation for Nursing/National League for Nursing Research Award (bit.ly/374WAEu) offers $5,000 each year to one nurse researcher or doctoral dissertation student.MyAmericanNurse.com June 2020 American Nurse Journal • 2020-2021 E DUCATION AND C AREER G UIDE 17 ship, and Sigma Theta Tau International), check with local nursing organizations and civic clubs (for example, Rotary Club, Kiwanis, and Lions Club), and large corporations or their nonprofit foundations (for example, Pepsi, CVS, and Uni- form Advantage). Ask around about local busi- nesses (for example, banks, credit unions, hos- pitals, and—believe it or not—funeral homes) that might have scholarships that aren’t well ad- vertised. Think about where a grateful patient might set up a scholarship fund or family and friends might want to honor a deceased nurse by establishing a scholarship in the nurse’s name. Don’t forget to check your college for possible scholarships. Ask the financial aid of- fice, alumni association, and student organiza- tions and clubs about any scholarships estab- lished by former students or faculty. (See Know your scholarship options.) Grants Typically, federal and state grants are need- based and don’t require repayment. Federal Pell grants, which don’t have to be repaid and go to any eligible student, are for undergradu- ates who don’t have a bachelor’s degree. Your FAFSA application will determine your eligibil- ity for this grant. The Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) is for undergraduate students with exceptional fi- nancial need. Unlike a Pell grant, the FSEOG is given out on a first-come, first-served basis. The U.S. Health Resources & Services Ad- ministration (HRSA) wants to increase the healthcare workforce, so it offers grants for nurses in programs that prepare them as nurse educators, nurse practitioners, nurse midwives, nurse anesthetists, nurse adminis- trators, and other specialties requiring ad- vanced education. States also provide grants for residents. Eligibility, amounts, and dead- lines vary, so investigate what your state has to offer. (See Look into grants.) Loans Most loans must be repaid. However, if you plan to work in a health professional shortage area or critical shortage facility after gradua- tion or for the government or other nonprofit organization, the loan may not have to be re- paid. Research the repayment requirements before applying and get written confirmation. The William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program offers four types of federal loans, but the criteria change frequently. Ensure you have the most recent information before you apply. Personal or private loans are available through your bank or credit union and can be in the form of a home equity loan. You might be eligible to loan yourself money via with- drawal from certain retirement accounts. If you’re considering a personal or private loan, sit down with a financial advisor to go over your options. (See Loan options.) Veteran’s benefits If you’re in the military or have a spouse or a parent who’s served, review some of the ben- efits available to veterans and their depend- ents. If you’re a veteran, find out if your school participates in the Post-9/11 GI Bill Yellow Ribbon Program. You also may be eligible for this funding through a direct or 2020-2021 Education and Career Guide Know your scholarship options Your scholarship options include national and local nursing organi- zations, corporations, and local businesses. Each will have different eligibility requirements, so do your homework. National scholarships Many national nursing and specialty organizations offer scholar- ships, and their state and regional chapters do as well. Some scholar- ships are set up so you can apply in consecutive years. Many of them don’t receive any applicants, so you can be the one who applies. If you plan to go to graduate school, check out the Nurses Educa- tional Funds (n-e-f.org/about/nef-scholarships.html). This nonprofit’s mission is to “promote leadership through scholarship support for professional nurses seeking master’s and doctoral degrees in nursing education, practice, service, and research.” If you’re flexible and willing to relocate after graduation, consider the Nurse Corps Scholarship Program administered by the U.S. Health Resources & Services Administration (hrsa.gov/loansscholarships/ nursecorps/scholarship). Scholarship recipients agree to work in a criti- cal shortage facility or health professional shortage area in exchange for a full scholarship and monthly stipend. If you’re a minority student, several scholarship opportunities are available. Here are some resources: •Accredited Schools Online offers scholarships for minority stu- dents: accreditedschoolsonline.org/resources •American Assembly for Men in Nursing offers scholarships to male nursing students: aamn.org/scholarships • Minority Nurse posts new scholarships throughout the year: minoritynurse.com/nursing-scholarships To find more national scholarship opportunities, visit the National Scholarship Providers Association website at scholarshipproviders.org. Local scholarships To learn if any local service organizations (such as Rotary Clubs and Lions Clubs) offer scholarships, visit their websites. Check local busi- nesses (such as banks and hospitals) where community members may have established scholarships to honor loved ones. Next >