[dbledutchs]

Okay, I really need some advice, found this forum, everyone seems really helpful and warm, so I was hoping to pick a few brains.

My husband and I owned a business together and we have three children that I have stayed home with for 6 years. In February my husband was injured and we now have to sell our business. He actually got another job, that isn't physical at all, and is doing a lot better.

We decided that it was time for me to go back to something. I've been wanting to go in the medical field for about three years now, so I figured this was my chance. I applied at a local LPN school and was just accepted (I'm so proud of me!!). I also applied to a local CNA program that will train you for free if you sign up to work for the hospital for a year. My question is, we could really use the money right now, but I would really like to go to school, because it's only a year. I'm afraid that if I do the CNA thing I will never move on because there will never be a time that we don't need the money.

Can you work and go to school at the same time? My kids are 11, 5 and 3, two are in school and my baby will be starting preschool in September (3 days a week).

I want to earn money, but I want to bite the bullet and just go and get my LPN.

Any advice would be so helpful. Thank you so much.

Marie

[ukstudent]

Ask the hospital if they will help pay for you to go to nursing school. Some hospitals will train you to become a CNA and pay you for that training. Then after you have been working for a period of time will then help pay you to go further in your nursing career with a time commitment. It is certainly possible to work full time and do prereq's and part time while in nursing school. This way you could get paid and get your nursing degree. Call the hospital and find out. Good luck in whatever you choose to do.

[jmgrn65]

Originally Posted by ukstudent

Ask the hospital if they will help pay for you to go to nursing school. Some hospitals will train you to become a CNA and pay you for that training. Then after you have been working for a period of time will then help pay you to go further in your nursing career with a time commitment. It is certainly possible to work full time and do prereq's and part time while in nursing school. This way you could get paid and get your nursing degree. Call the hospital and find out. Good luck in whatever you choose to do.

[dbledutchs]

I already have most of my pre-req's. I only have to take one class besides my nursing courses.

I guess I'm not sure about how that would all work, since they are desperate for CNA's at the hospital. They said they would train me for three weeks, and then I would be part time, but I have to sign a contract to work there for a year. I know they give tuition reimbursement, but I think it's only after 6 months and school starts in September. I'm just really confused.

I would try doing both, but my husband says that I would burn out quickly. With three kids, a job and going to school after being home for 6 years, he says it's just too much. Would I ever even see my kids?

I know this is all my decision, and nobody knows my situation better than I do and I know I can't have it all. I know I really want to go to school, and I've already been accepted, but I really want to earn some money, because with our business gone it's going to be tight. Ugg...these decisions are so freakin' hard aren't they??

How much work is LPN school? Am I just kidding myself thinking I can do school and work part time with three young kids? Any advice there??

Thanks so much, this really means a lot to me.

Marie

[DutchgirlRN]

I'd go ahead and get the LPN. The year will fly by faster than you can imagine. Once you're an LPN you can go at your own pace, through Excelsior, to get your RN. Don't settle for less.

[Hospice Nurse LPN]

I'm a single mom and I went back to school when my kids were 10, 13, and 16. I was in school full time and worked part time. I stayed on the dean's list. It wasn't easy, but it can be done! Good luck with your decision.

[Jules A]

Hi and congratulations on getting into the LPN program! I would definitely start the nursing program because it is an excellent opportunity and if you read enough threads here you will see that it can be pretty tough to get in. Being a CNA doesn't pay too much around here and if you have other skills that could get you a higher wage while in school I'd consider that also. Like someone else suggested maybe you can find a hosp. willing to pay for your tuition if you decide to be a CNA. Having kids makes it tougher but most of the people in my class worked at least 20 hours a week and our grades were as good and often better than the students that did not work. Best of luck. Jules

[feisty_lpn]

Originally Posted by DutchgirlRN

I'd go ahead and get the LPN. The year will fly by faster than you can imagine. Once you're an LPN you can go at your own pace, through Excelsior, to get your RN. Don't settle for less.

I really hope you didn't mean "don't settle for less than RN".


I went through LPN school 8-4 Mon-Fri for 12 months. I worked part-time on the weekends. I had 2 young daughters ages 7 and 2 and a husband. It is very doable. Some days, you'll feel like you're on top of the world. Others, you're so tired you want to cry. But my grandmother told me this and I had to say it to myself on several occassions.... "You can do anything for a year". Its not easy. Not even close to being a walk in the park. But it is so worth it.

There are alot of programs out there that will help you finance your LPN. One that I recommend is WIA (Workforce Investment Act). You can find a provider in your area here... http://www.careeronestop.org/WiaProviderSearch.asp

WIA helped me buy replacement uniforms, shoes, etc. They also gave me $50/month for transportation expenses. Its a grant, so you don't have to pay it back. But there is a limit per year they disburse, so you need to call them ASAP and get on the list. Even if you're too late for this year, make sure they put you on the list for the next disbursement (which I believe is January). They prefer to help students in fields where there is a high demand... like nursing.

[TrudyRN]

Do the LPN school if at all possible. Try to find ways to cut costs at home, maybe you can work at a job very part-time to have a few dollars coming in, take in a boarder, move in with your folks, do whatever you have to do for the next year. Give up sleeping, prepare to be exhausted all the time, but get that license.

How hard is it? Depends on your abilities as a student, how much help you have at home, etc.

Can you knock out any course or 2 this summer so your load will be lighter come Fall?

Your oldest child should be trained to help around the house as much as possible.

What will your husband be doing? Is he willing to help you with this? Because you need him in your corner. What about child care? What's your plan? Transportation?

Why have you chosen Nursing?

"Just LPN" - not an insult. Reality, though, is that RN pays more and opens more doors for career options. Many, many of us start this way or even as aides and work up to RN, even Nurse Practitioner, Nurse educator, nurse managers, etc.

Best wishes. You can do it. So many others have and you can, too.

[ukstudent]

With the added information, I would get the LPN. Try and get some student loans to help you out for the year. Good luck and welcome to the world of nursing.