Probably won't be attending this year afterall :(

NewEnglandRN, RN · Sep 3, 2005

(((HUGS)))

You know what is best for you and your family. It's only a year to wait (I went back to school at 34.) I know how stressful things can be when finances are so limited.

Have you checked out a Stafford loan? Or looked into area hospitals that offer tuition payment in exchange for a committment for xx amount of years after graduation?

Hang in there; everything will work out :)

LauraF, RN, ASN, CNA, LPN, RN · Sep 3, 2005

Sorry to hear that. That is a very hard choice to make. Only you can decide what is best for you and your family. I know things are really tight at our house, and those stafford loans have really helped a lot, as well as the grants. My fingers are crossed that you may go next year.

hikernurse · Sep 4, 2005

I'm sorry. That's really disappointing. Of course, your family needs come first, but I hope you can figure something out so you can get your degree.

SarasotaRN2b · Sep 4, 2005

Have you been accepted into a nursing program? Maybe you can just delay entering. I did the same this year, and I'm on the roster to start in the summer. Also getting a job in a hospital would probably work more in your favor, especially if you are a patient care assistant. Also, with the shortage of nurses, you might even secure a spot to be a nurse before you even finish with school.

Saved_by_Grace · Sep 4, 2005

I'm sorry about the circumstances that are plaguing you. I truly empathize. *hugs*

NicInNC, CNA · Sep 4, 2005

Things are really stressful here and with the rising gas prices and the possibility of my dh having to take a job OTR for us to make ends meet it is looking we would be better if I got a job and we were able to save some money so that I don't have to worry about not being able to pay for school, we also think that it would help to alleviate the stresses that could potentially harm me while going through. I have a couple of places I am going to talk to the first part of next week and hopefully some place will have an opening. I am considering a couple hospitals, a couple LTC facilities, and a Veterans home.
I am heartbroken to be making this decision, however I have to think about my families needs at this time.
Thanks

There are a lot of us in this situation right now. I dropped my A&P last week. I'm still taking my math class two evenings a week. I was taking my A&P 3 mornings a week, so I was doing a lot of driving.

It's taking me a long time to become a nurse right now, but I'm not giving up on my dream. It's just taking me a lot longer than planned. But I've learned from others on this board that that's ok!

I've applied at one LTC and 2 hospitals. Still haven't heard anything though.

Good Luck to you...

Fun2, BSN, RN · Sep 5, 2005

Best wishes to all of you. It is getting harder and harder for the average family to live on one income.

A delay in plans is better than never going back. :)

Just never give up...think of it as a raincheck, or a small detour. :)

RNSuzq1, RN · Sep 5, 2005

Hi Brwnngj, Have you already been accepted at a Nursing School? I know you have to do what's best for your family, but as hard as it is to get into a Nursing Program, it would be quite a shame if you couldn't go. You mentioned your husband taking a job OTR - what does that mean? There are quite a few of my classmates that get full pell-grants that entirely pay for school, books, etc. - have you looked into that? Also, as someone mentioned - many hospitals will pay for your tuition if you promise to work for them after graduation, that's another option.

I can totally understand about the gas prices - I think it's killing everyone's pocketbooks. I'm going to post something to the board about the WIA Program - please check it out, it might help you. Good Luck. Sue

eyshonda · Sep 5, 2005

I Am Sorry To Hear That You Decided Not To Attend School This Year. I Know What You Are Saying About Hardships. My House Was Burned Down July 13, 2005, And I Found Out That My Future Husband At That Time Was Cheating On Me. On The Same Day!!!!!! I Lost Everything. Only Got Out With My Daughter And The Gown I Had On. He Is Also An Otr Driver. I Decided That The Devil Was A Lie And I Started This Semester. On The Gas Issue I Drive 35 Miles Oneway To Get To School Monday Through Friday And I Only Work On The Weekends, I Quit My Fulltime Job Working In The Hospital. I Pray That Things Are Better For You Next Semester. P.s. I Survive Off Of Pell And Stafford. All My Class And Books Are Paid For And With The Money I Get From Stafford I Pay Up My Rent And Bills. Just Keep Saying To Youself In The Mirror I Will Survive, I Will Finish School. I Believe You Can Do It!!!!

Imafloat, BSN, RN · Sep 5, 2005

{{{}}}} Only you know what you and your family can handle. You have gotten lots of great advice and words of encouragement. Times are getting hard for 1 income families. My husband has a 50 mile commute 1 way to work and it is killing us in gas. I just keep telling myself to hold on 1 more year and things will be better. Best of luck to you.

brwnngj · Sep 6, 2005

Well the first thing I am goign to do before making any decision is to talk to my dean to find out if it would even be possible to delay going in for a year. Believe me I want nothing more to enter into the program and graduate in 2 years. As my husband puts it the day I found out I was accepted into the program you would have thought I won the lottery. I have wanted this for so long and to have it right there in my grasp and not be sure I can do it is truly killing me. My dh is a Truck driver and thankfully right now he is local but we can't survive when we have $700 a month going right back into the tank for him to get to and from work. If he goes OTR I will truly have no support, not to mention back up for daycare. Some of my clinicals are 2 hours away. I get a partial pell grant but it doesn't cover everything, and my loan is a joke but that is another story. I more so worry about the outside influences affecting my grades. I struggled through the prerequisites and still have a few non nursing classes left to take and I am worried that with the stress of our finances, and the potential of not having daycare and other stresses I will end up setting myself up for failure. I have worked to damn hard to fail so honestly I don't even know what the right thing to do is. I am just hoping my Dean has some words of wisdom for me. Thanks for all of the input it is much appreciated :)