Advice on LPN school & my current living situation

[Priddyeyez]

I recently found out that I will be able to get into a nursing with an LPN program. Here are my delimmas- 1. I live an hour and a half away from the school 2. I don't particularly want to move there because we have a great deal on rent here, and my boyfriend can't transfer until with his current job until October. 3. I have a 7 month old baby.

I really want to attend nursing school, but didn't get accepted to the one close to me. I don't have much family support except my boyfriend, and he does go out of his way.

I know no nursing program is 'easy', but would this be overloading myself because of the distance & baby?

I would just like everyones thought on this subject, I'll be sure to let everyone know what I decide.

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

I attended a private 1-year long full-time LVN program that was located 95 miles away from my home. I attended 5 days weekly and drove back and forth on a daily basis, thereby putting 1,000 miles on my car every week. My situation was slightly different than yours since I'm single without children. I lived alone and didn't work that year, so I paid my bills with unemployment insurance and my personal savings.

If you plan everything out precisely and set realistic goals, all will go well. You need to love driving, plan for daycare, and set aside 1.5 to 2 hours per day for study. Good luck with whatever you select.

[RNsRWe, ASN, RN]

Wow. If you're asking me....I'd move. A three-hour drive every day, plus the class and clinical time, is ALOT to be away from that baby, IMO. You can't do much about the school time, but you can shorten that drive. Remember, too, that you may very well have clinicals that go late at night, or you may be required to be there at 6 am--how do you feel about getting home at 11pm and leaving the house by 4:30?

Then, too, consider that while you have a better deal on rent now, what is the cost of FUEL and wear-and-tear going to be on your car? I'd say it'd be pretty darned sizable, perhaps making the difference in rent a non-issue.

Your boyfriend being an hour and a half away for a matter of weeks (he can transfer in October, right?) sure wouldn't stop me from making the change that best works. It's lovely to have him close at hand, but you need to do what's best for you and your baby...he'll come along :) If it's not too "long distance" for you to consider that much travel, it sure isn't long distance enough for him to not visit you frequently.

Just my two cents!

[BeccaznRN, RN]

I also believe you should really consider moving. I have had to drive an hour to get to my school and clinical sites for the entire program and I can't begin to tell you how fast you will get tired of driving. I have done it because I'm staying with my parents rent-free and it never made financial sense to get my own place, but it's NOT fun. And I have no responsibilities at home. By the time you drive, attend class, study, sleep, spend time with the family....there won't be enough hours in the day for you and you'll end up having to sacrifice something. And it will most likely be sleep, which will make that drive even harder for you (not to mention hazardous).

If there's any way it can be done, I would definitely move.