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Nursing Students CNA/MA

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Hey there stranger :)

So I'm looking for some advice. Here's my story: I applied to nursing school for fall 2014. I'm currently a lifeguard, have near a gpa of 3.9, and have been volunteering at a nursing home, so, I think I'll be accepted. The problem is- my financial situation- isn't it everyone's problem?! haha so I've been at a community college and got my AA student loan free weee! (finishing up MCB this semester) so I'm set to transfer to a university and persue my BSN. I used to have this great plan to graduate with a bachelors w/out student loans- well things have changed- now i'm OK with just taking some out for housing and food ($20,000 total). I have worked since i was 16- I'm 20 now- and managed to save up $10,000! which I'm relying on for gas, car insurance, and supplies throughout the 2 year program (1 question- does that sound like enough???) Well, since i will be taking out loans, i know once i graduate it's time to be a grown-up, get a job, and pay them back, and hopefully marry my current boyfriend and start a family(the dream hehe). BUT, I've always wanted to travel to another country and volunteer ( my friend is a missionary in PERU and I could stay with her, just pay for my flight and food and excursions~ machu picchu and the amazon would be life changing for me to see!) I just get the impression these thing won't happen when I'm a grown-up- or that it will be harder for that to happen. So, I'm wondering if this is a good plan- or if I'm out of my mind... I'm gonna sign up for a CNA course (there goes -500$) but I'll still be workin weekends at my current lifeguarding job. Then, hopefully, get a job at the nursing home I volunteer at [gotta talk to them this week] making a couple dollars more an hour, so I leave my current lifeguarding job. and put more into my savings, but also go to peru! Then apply for BSN school fall 2015. Am I wacked out??? this seems reasonable to me, its just my mom and boyfriend say alot of times people drop out of school and never go back. It's just I have a plan, and it's not like my school will look down on me for taking a break where I go and volunteer and work in the nursing feild--- RIGHT???

Ever consider the military and going into the medical field? Utilize the CLRP (College Loan Repayment Program), travel around the world, save money, use Free Tuition Assistant while you are in the military, financial security, marry your boyfriend, start your family, ect. With the war dying down and the military resizing (getting rid of the old and bringing in the new), this could be a good opportunity for you. Reading the signature of some of the members in this forum, I've noticed alot are prior military and were in the medical field as well. Just a thought.............

Specializes in Long term care.

Your mother and boyfriend are right, most ppl who take "a year off school" to do whatever, even with the best intentions, don't go back. Life will get in the way and just make it harder.

Think about some of your classes, such as your sciences and psy. classes which will have "time limits" on them to be useful towards your graduation....usually 5 years, maybe more, maybe less, depending on the college....

If you really really want to volunteer someplace in the world, I would think you would be much more 'useful" as a nurse!!! Get your degree, find a job (even if it's just part time), save some cash, then volunteer. It will look excellent on your resume and will boost your "value" when applying for a job at your choice facility.

Another thought:

You may be eligable for reimbursement for that CNA class. When I took the class, I paid out of pocket, then when I was hired at a nursing home, the state paid me back!

Ask the nursing home where you plan to work if this is a possibiltiy. Your CNA instructor may be able to give you more details on how that works. For example, for me, I had to work for a facility that was funded my medicaid and had to be employed for more than 3 months. They paid me the full amount of my class in 4 monthly installements.

Nursing homes don't always tell you about this option and you have to do some paperwork, save your class reciepts, etc to qualify.

Good luck!

I love those aspects, but sadly I am a pacifist.:nailbiting:

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