Single Mom, Full Time Job, Starting Nursing at Ivy Tech

sunnysideup09 · Jun 17, 2008

Working full time is tough, while being a single mom, and going to school full time. The exams are tough, there are alot of assignments, and pretty much biting your nails off to get that 74.5% exam average. Most courses meet at least 4 days a week....2 clinical days, 2 lecture days. Clinicals are majority starting at 630 or 7 and last until 230 or 3p. Sometimes there is an afternoon clinical starting at 12p until 8. You don't get to pick the time, since that's a whole other issue. So, you can work on the weekends and evenings or maybe that one day a week that you'll possibly be off. But, the person that suffers is the child.....mine did. All I had time to do was study, study, study. And he noticed.

So, not to burst your bubble, but be prepared to work very hard the next couple years. Hopefully you have family close by that can help you. That's the only thing that has been so helpful.

obicurn · Jun 17, 2008

Is this Ivy Tech Lawrence campus?

WickedRedRN, BSN, RN · Jun 18, 2008

I am not a single mom, but I second what newRN09 said. My LPN program was 5 days a week with long hours spent studying. My husband worked 2nd shift to help with transportation and childcare issues. Our daughter sure noticed when I worked part time that Mom was seen very little.

My LPN to RN program was more of the same, only 2-3 days a week and I worked full time.

My advice is seriously take scholarships and loans for the rest to cover not working. If you a single mom back in school, isn't there assistance for you as well?

Also, check out WorkOne in your county. It seems to me there were lots of grants available to those going back to school.

Hope this helps and good luck! I know it's going to be hard, but you will never regret it once you are on the other side :)

obicurn · Jun 18, 2008

I am SO excited to start my nursing degree at Ivy Tech this fall.... I hope someone can maybe give me some advice and answer some questions since the Ivy Tech website isn't really all that descriptive..
1. Has anyone gone through this program that had to work a full time job and was a single parent? How did you juggle that?
2. Can anyone give me an idea what clinicals are like and how much time it will consume during the week?
I am concerned that classes will only be offered at certain hours in which I HAVE to work or I can't support myself and my daughter....just curious if anyone else has been in a similar situation that made it work??? Thanks!!

The deadline has passed for this year already..it was April 1, I believe. But save this info for next year. There is a scholarship out there for Ivy Tech students. It's called the The Nina Mason Pulliam Legacy Scholars program. You have to meet income requirements and have completed no more than I think 24 credits toward your degree. They will pay full tuition plus a living stipend.

Also, the last 2 semesters, go to the Work One office and you can apply for a grant from the Workforce Investment Act. It will pay full tuition plus gas money, etc. The Indiana Nursing scholarship is also something to look into. All you have to do is agree to work full time as a nurse in Indiana for 2 years after graduation. Um....any hospital pretty much will pay your tuition if you agree to work for them after you graduate.

There are tons of financial aid programs out there especially for single parents that will allow you to go to school and not have to work full time. Just so some sniffing around and see what you can find. Ivy Tech has a lot of programs. Have you spoken to anyone in the financial aid dept. yet?

kgle · Jun 22, 2008

I am SO excited to start my nursing degree at Ivy Tech this fall.... I hope someone can maybe give me some advice and answer some questions since the Ivy Tech website isn't really all that descriptive..
1. Has anyone gone through this program that had to work a full time job and was a single parent? How did you juggle that?
2. Can anyone give me an idea what clinicals are like and how much time it will consume during the week?
I am concerned that classes will only be offered at certain hours in which I HAVE to work or I can't support myself and my daughter....just curious if anyone else has been in a similar situation that made it work??? Thanks!!

I started on my pre reqs this semester. I am not in the program yet, but I do work full time and have a 2 year old on my hands!

For myself, I plan on taking out loans for at least the 1st semester of nursing school and either working weekends only at my job, or not at all. After the 1st semester I am hoping to get on at a hospital on the weekends as a CNA. There is also another nursing scholarship different from the Nina Pulliam, and they choose so many students a year and pay tuition as well as a $1200 a month stipend.

See about getting CCDF vouchers, I have heard that while in school its more likely they will cover daycare costs. Its doable, my mom did nursing school with 2 young girls and did it full time. I have full faith in myself, so you should in yourself!

Luckily I work 12-8 right now, and I am able to study when we are not busy, so it helps out a lot. No 2 year old running around and I get quiet time to study!!

Ginger Vitus · Jun 23, 2008

Get every possible pre-req AND co-req done ahead of time. You certainly won't have time to do them concurrently with the rest of your nursing core. I would consider internet courses for some of the co-reqs-most of them are just busy work and your time is wasted in class.

And if you aren't an organized person, you need to figure out how to be. It is hard enough to this without a child and working.

I started on my pre reqs this semester. I am not in the program yet, but I do work full time and have a 2 year old on my hands!
For myself, I plan on taking out loans for at least the 1st semester of nursing school and either working weekends only at my job, or not at all. After the 1st semester I am hoping to get on at a hospital on the weekends as a CNA. There is also another nursing scholarship different from the Nina Pulliam, and they choose so many students a year and pay tuition as well as a $1200 a month stipend.
See about getting CCDF vouchers, I have heard that while in school its more likely they will cover daycare costs. Its doable, my mom did nursing school with 2 young girls and did it full time. I have full faith in myself, so you should in yourself!
Luckily I work 12-8 right now, and I am able to study when we are not busy, so it helps out a lot. No 2 year old running around and I get quiet time to study!!

kgle · Jun 23, 2008

I am currently in Psych online and I hate it. I will never take an online course again. Then again, I have ADD pretty bad so I am sure that doesn't help!:chuckle

I agree though, I am going to complete every pre and co req before starting the program. At the rate I am going, I should be able to apply by fall of next year and have everything completed by the time the program starts if I get in the first time.

megared22 · Jun 24, 2008

I started on my pre reqs this semester. I am not in the program yet, but I do work full time and have a 2 year old on my hands!
For myself, I plan on taking out loans for at least the 1st semester of nursing school and either working weekends only at my job, or not at all. After the 1st semester I am hoping to get on at a hospital on the weekends as a CNA. There is also another nursing scholarship different from the Nina Pulliam, and they choose so many students a year and pay tuition as well as a $1200 a month stipend.
See about getting CCDF vouchers, I have heard that while in school its more likely they will cover daycare costs. Its doable, my mom did nursing school with 2 young girls and did it full time. I have full faith in myself, so you should in yourself!
Luckily I work 12-8 right now, and I am able to study when we are not busy, so it helps out a lot. No 2 year old running around and I get quiet time to study!!

kgle-

I have most of my gen ed courses out of the way from previous college work. I am re-taking PSY 101 because I got a B at Purdue and I want an A. =) How do you become a CNA if you aren't finished with school? I can't imagine just quitting my job and having no insurance or income and still being able to keep a home??? I make barely enough to get by as it is and I work full time!!! However, I also make too much money right now to qualify for CCDF and there is a waiting list. =( I can't seem to get a break!!! Also does anyone know if you can take courses at any Ivy Tech location besides your home campus?

obicurn · Jun 24, 2008

You can take classes at any Ivy Tech and they will count towards your degree. I took most of my classes at the Muncie campus but I now go to Lawrence.

kgle · Jun 25, 2008

kgle-
I have most of my gen ed courses out of the way from previous college work. I am re-taking PSY 101 because I got a B at Purdue and I want an A. =) How do you become a CNA if you aren't finished with school? I can't imagine just quitting my job and having no insurance or income and still being able to keep a home??? I make barely enough to get by as it is and I work full time!!! However, I also make too much money right now to qualify for CCDF and there is a waiting list. =( I can't seem to get a break!!! Also does anyone know if you can take courses at any Ivy Tech location besides your home campus?

After your first semester of nursing school you can take the certification to work as a CNA and a lot of area hospitals (I know St Francis is one) will allow you to work 2 12 hour shifts on the weekends as a student nurse and still receive health insurance. Don't quote me on the last part, but I thought I saw that somewhere.

I am taking out a loan for my first semester of nursing school, applying for scholarships that provide a monthly stipend as well as depending on child support that first semester. I definitely could not do it without any income! Luckily I live at home still, and due to the fact that I need to buy a new car...that will probably be the case until I graduate.

I have heard through the grapevine that if you are full time AND a student you are more likely to qualify for CCDF. I am getting ready to apply for it and although you probably make more than I do, I will let you know if I get it if you want, I am pretty sure I make over the limit.