Moms in the Las Vegas Area

iliel · Feb 3, 2004

I can tell you that not all schools here have the year round tract system...you have to look into the school where you want to move. I worked with a woman who had a real hard time with the tract system but what she did do was something called Safe Key. It's a program for the "working poor" (ppl like you and me and everyone else in the world!) It offered before and after school care for kids, the centers make sure the kids get to school...I'm not sure how its works but she felt comfortable with it so that's something to check out.

Good luck! Also, if you don't want to pay the out of state tuition at UNLV, CCSN, the ADN program has a system set up with almost all of the hospitals where they pay for your two year RN tuition and you work for them for two years...same pay as anyone else and no student loans. Believe me, I understand the importance of a BSN, but out here you won't get paid more if you have it. Also, all the hospitals out here, even if you are in the adopt a student program, will still give tuition reimbursment for getting your BSN. It's something to look into if you are straped for cash.

If you have any questions feel free to ask.

CaterpillarGirl · Feb 3, 2004

Iliel,

Thanks so much for your response. :) Do you happen to know if the Safe Key program is still available during breaks from school? That sounds like a wonderful program.

As for tuition, because I'm from washington, I can participate in the "Western Undergraduate Exchange" tuition program. I think my tuition ends up being something like $1800 per semester.

I think my biggest worry is that I have never lived more than 20 minutes away from my parents, and I'm a little scared of "going it alone" so to speak. However, i think my drive to become a nurse may get me through it. I just can't see killing myself to get at least a 3.8 gpa to have a snowballs chance in $%@! of getting into a program here. I'm only 24, but that still puts me at almost 28 when I graduate (just started my pre reqs), and I don't feel like I can afford to be on a waiting list for a year.

Ugh, and then once I make the decision I have to petition through the courts to allow me to take my daughter out of state (her father lives here). LOL, maybe it WOULD be easier to get a 3.8!! :chuckle

TLC RN · Feb 3, 2004

I don't know about Las Vegas schools, but...

I have a son going into kindergarten this fall & I will hopefully be in a nursing program too. I know his school offers a full day option that i have to pay out of pocket for the half day or extra school. They also offer before and after care at the school (for $$) but he could be at school from 6AM - 5PM daily. During the summer, he will attend YMCA day camps or school sponsored camps. All of them have before and after care too. Also, the schools around here offer weeklong camps during the year when they are out of school for winter break and Easter break...

I figure you should be able to find a program for you daughter. I would start with say your SO's Mom's school district and look it up online and or call to see if they have such a programs. Also check the YMCA's. I know in some areas they have daycare programs at their facilities.

One more option, at many universities, they have daycare centers run by them for their use with students in teaching or child development programs. At my school, they will only charge you what you can pay based on you need from the financial aid you receive. So if i was getting a ton of fin aid, i could be eligible for daycare for my son for like 50 bucks instead of the 750 they charge people that come from the community.

Good luck :) You are not alone in this...there has to be options becuase not everyone is staying at home or has jobs that work around the school systems hours!

iliel · Feb 3, 2004

yes, safe key is available during the breaks. there are some schools that are year round and some that are not (same school district not sure why that is) The high schools I know get out by 1:30 I think mostly due to the heat. I know my friend had to pick her daughter up by 6.

The WEU is good for tuition, there is also another school, Nevada State Henderson. There classes are 70 per unit for instate (CCSN is 50). Like I've said, I haven't heard very good things about UNLV's nursing program. I dropped out of their program to go to CCSN, I've had students, a RN and a NP tell me to do my thing at CCSN or NSH. These are just other ppl's opinions, if the program feels right for you then go for it. I just want you to know there are other options that will save you some time and money. I know for a fact with UNLV, even if you are accepted into the school you still have to apply to the program, you also have to have no lower than a soild B in all science courses to get into the program so it's not so bad as far as requirments.

Good luck, any thing else just ask!

Oh, BTW, I moved to Vegas by myself, I didn't know a soul here, no one, I didn't even know anyone who had ever lived here so I was really on my own and it wasn't so bad....actually, it was the best thing I ever did for myself.

CaterpillarGirl · Feb 3, 2004

I've looked into NSH as well, but I thought I had read that they didn't have as much in financial aid yet. Something about waiting to get approved for the government grants. Have they had a graduating class yet? I found the NCLEX pass rates for UNLV, and I wasn't too impressed. (I think it was like 83%, most Wa schools are over 95%). I think I will definately look into more info at Nevada State.

Was it difficult for you to find work in Vegas? I've been on a couple message boards where people have been looking for months to no avail. I wait tables, and my BF (who's lived there before) says it's pretty easy to find restaurant work, but he lived there something like 4 years ago, so it could've changed.

One other thing, is the requirement for health insurance for the nursing program. Do you have coverage through your school? Here, they have state subsidized insurance for low income families, but the only thing I've found like it in NV is only for children (which is great for my daughter).

Thanks again for all your help, this is a pretty stressful decision for me that I can't talk to my friends and family about, because they don't want me to leave. I know that there are single moms out there that make it without any familial support, so I know it can be done.

Where did you move from? How did you know it was the right decision? My BF really hates Washington, and desperately wants to move. We've spoken of marriage, and it's something in our future, but not if I stay here. I thought I'd bought some time when he agreed to go to UW instead, but he's SOOO miserable here. I just wish I knew what the right thing to do was.

Megan

iliel · Feb 4, 2004

No, NSH hasn't had a graduating class as of yet, they are only 1 1/2 years old but they are growing so fast! I guess that's why they are still working through grants, etc..but I'm not sure about everything to do with that.

Your right, UNLV's programs pass rate sucks...CCSN has a pass rate of 98 and they've been accredidated by the NLN longer than UNLV.

When I did work in Vegas I had no problem finding a job. I even was able to find one while I still lived out of town. There are tons of jobs, the city is growing so fast...it's really amazing. Nursing jobs I wouldn't even worry about, they aren't going anywhere anytime soon. THere are 3 hospitals opeing up this year and next along with the other 5 hospitals that already need nurses, that's why so many of them are paying for the ADN programs in return for work.

For my program you do have to have health insurance but they offer it through the school and it's any where from 10-30 dollars a month depending on your plan.

To be honest I know what your going through. I moved to Vegas from San Diego...and while I loved it there, I was sick of working just to pay my bills and rent, I was never going to own a house their on my own at the rate I was going...I was just sick of it. I always wanted to be able to say I moved somewhere by myself and one day after I was rearended on my way to work I made up my mind. I found a job, apartment, etc in 2 months and I was gone. My friends were so ticked...well, my so called friends. The weeks before I moved so many ppl where telling me that I wans't going to find happiness by moving my location, that I was going to have the same problems and I was just going to come running back. No one would listen that this was different, they all said I was breaking up our group of friends and things were never going to be the same...and you know what...that's what I wanted. Things were not changing, I wasn't moving forward and the day I left was the happiest day of my life because I was finally doing some thing for me. Three years later (in April), I'm in school full time doing what I've always wanted, I own a house, a car, I have a life and I'm getting married to a wonderful man I met 6 months after i moved here. My so called friend I haven't talked to in 1-2 years and that's fine with me. I've moved on, they're doing the same thing.

VgsNrs · Feb 4, 2004

Hey there!

I am currently a nursing student at UNLV and I will just tell you that it seems every nursing school has their own thing and I personally think that UNLV BSN program is very well-rounded in that we just don't only learn clincal skills but many other aspects of nursing that other programs may or may not. I do not know how the other nursing programs in Vegas work, but from my experience at UNLV, I really like it. It does not mean that I am not working my butt off, but i think in the end it will pay off, as will any other program. If you have questions about any of it just let me know. On the childcare issue we have a loooooot of mothers in the program and they have found many ways of going to school full time and taking care of their children without a whole lot of struggle. Some like to tell us not to work, but who are we kidding, we all need some cash as students. So I know a lot of students who work full to part time jobs, so it is possible. Like someone mentioned before they have day camps during track breaks (I also worked for the YMCA), and Safe Key, etc. They have a daycare on UNLV's campus as well. Hope this helps a little, but if you wanna know more about UNLV just write k? Thanks....

iliel · Feb 4, 2004

It's good to hear some positive comments about UNLV. It's far from a bad school and I'm not sure why the pass rate is what it is...all the schools here have a pretty decent drop out rate.

I forgot to mention that one other reason I dropped UNLV is to get out of here sooner. I have no plans to work in Vegas.

Good luck!

CaterpillarGirl · Feb 5, 2004

Well, the decision has been made. Viva Las Vegas! Now it's just a matter of planning it all. We think we'll be out there Aug. 1st. I have an email in to the advisor at UNLV, so I can see what classes to register for, and what would be helpful for me to take my final quarter in Wa.

Finally coming to a decision about all this has really taken a lot of stress away. Wow, there sure seems to be a lot to be done. Starting with finding an area we like. When we visited in August, I really liked the Lakes area, and there seem to be some apartments in that area that aren't too expensive. We'll have to see.

I sure am excited to be entering a bachelors program, as I eventually want to go into advanced practice.

Iliel, and ButrflyGurl, I might me asking questions about the area as this planning process unfolds. Is that okay?

Thanks for all your help.

wanttodonicu · Feb 5, 2004

i live in wisconsin around duluth minnesota, there are no jobs within like 400 miles of here for nurses. we are booked for staff at our local and not so local hospitals. I was just wondering what nurses get paid there and the chances of getting a ob job would be, how about the cost of living? just a little curious, getting a little depressing around here with no jobs available. thanks

iliel · Feb 5, 2004

Dietryin' feel free to PM me when ever you wish. I had no problem moving here it was pretty easy and stress free. I can tell you some good areas and steer you from the not so good! Let me know if you need any help!