Advice for School Consideration

Headhurt, ADN · Jan 15, 2004

Let's see...I did my pre-reqs in summer of 98. I worked full time, so I was only able to take 1-2 classes a semester (academic classes). I was in a car accident in 2000, and I was out of school for a year because of related injuries (it's hard to read text and junk when you have lost your eyesight). Fortunately, the eye sight returned.

Anyhoo, I started the nursing core classes in Fall of 2002. I know of two people in my class that broke up their freshmen semester because of their personal schedules, or they just couldn't afford it. I've taken all the core classes as listed (full time), but tons of classmates took the part time option. I took all the academic classes before I started the nursing program (i.e. English, Psychology, History, etc). I took Microbiology (as well as a bunch of classmates) during the summer semester), and I am taking Sociology with the nursing classes for my now senior semester.

I have not used financial aid at all. The hospital where I work at offers a pretty good tuition reimbursement program (most hospitals have one). They pay 100% and I owe them a year. It works out pretty good. I know Truman Hospital offers recruits a monthly stipend, and you owe them a year or two after you graduate. The sweet part of that deal is that you don't have to work for Truman while you are in school. I think that option is not available until you reach your junior semester. I could be mistaken, but it is an option to look into. PVCC also offfers a payment plan. You make 4 payments during the semester. These are only if you don't utilize financial aid. Also, you might want to look around...some organizations offer grants to people who are interested in nursing. Try an online search.

melessia · Jan 16, 2004

Headhurt - what hospital do you work for? That does sound like a sweet deal. Are you currently an LPN?

ashemson · Jan 16, 2004

Melessia - most hospitals will do that. Heartland in St. Joe will pay 100% if you promise to work for them x years after graduation. Also, Childrens Mercy has a tuition program. St. Lukes I don't think has it because they have their own nursing school at the downtown St Lukes, and so does KU. Liberty Hospital has an assistance, but I have heard it's not very much, enough to cover books I think, not sure. I work there PRN, so I am not eligible for assistance - you have to be at least part time. You should definitely call around though - it's worth a shot!

Headhurt, ADN · Jan 16, 2004

No, not an LPN...I've just been in the field for a while. I work at Shawnee Mission, which has a pretty good tuition reimbursement incentive. For one year, I can do that.

Some hospitals are not as generous. I know Excelsior Springs has a tuition incentive, but you have to work for them for 3-5 years afterward. Yuck!

Just call around. Asking is free.

nrsstephanie · Feb 6, 2004

I just graduated from Sanford-Brown in KC and I am now working with 4 new grads from PVCC. They don't have a clue. Sanford-Brown is a hard program and their board pass rates are showing it.

Headhurt, ADN · Feb 10, 2004

Steph....if you just graduated from SB, how is it then that you are a nursing instructor??? :confused:

booyah · Mar 24, 2004

I was a paramedic for 9 yrs. and gradutaed from nursing school and passed boards while working 60+ hrs. a week on 12hr. night shifts. It was very tiring but doable. For myself the curriculum was not difficult, it was the time it took between work and school. He will need a lot of support from his entire family (HE WILL NOT HAVE ANY TIME LEFT IN HIS DAY FOR THE NEXT 3YRS.) If he decides to work even part time and go to nursing school it will consume every last minute of his time. Will becoming a nurse bring a better income, work schedule, and professional growth; if so then I say go for it the trick is to look at the end result and think about the several doors of opportunity that nursing can open to him and the family. It may also be a later source of inspiration and teaching for your kids to see their father achieve such a goal. It is a true test of strength and dedication. It is a good plan but a hard plan. It can be done. I know from experience. Good Luck to you all.

QUOTE=melessia]My husband is a licensed EMT with our local volunteer fire dept. He would very much like to become an RN and work in the emergency dept. We live about 35 minutes north of Kansas City. His current plan he is considering is to get his Associate's at Penn Valley, pass the Board and get a job as an RN and then transfer to a 4-year program for his BSN while working. Can anyone give me any suggestions or advice if this sounds like a good plan, maybe should he reconsider and do something different? By the way, we have two children ages 4 and 8 and he must continue working full-time while doing this. Is this possible at Penn Valley? Thanks for any advice.

hospitalstaph · Aug 10, 2004

I am starting at Maple Woods in two weeks to finish all of my general coursework before I start clinicals. It is going to take me 3 1/2 years to get my ADN but I have three little ones so this is all that I am willing to do until all of them are in school. My oldest is in Catholic school so I want to be able to take him and pick him up and be involved with his school. I met with a couselor at Maple Woods that said that part time was certainly possible and he thought a very good idea too:)

Hope this helps!

Tracy

ashemson - thanks so much for the reply. Its good to hear what you found out at Penn Valley because I haven't been able to find out anything! We was told in the Counselor's office that there is no part-time option. I keep getting conflicting answers. Its actually my husband that is going. He is starting his generals next week. He has not yet filled out his application to the Nursing program, (this is his first college, so he has all the generals to do first) so what I think he needs to do is get it filled out, send it in and then maybe, maybe we can get an appointment with a counselor there to actually talk to us and find out what is going on. He really, really wants to be an RN, but the quitting work to go to school full-time is really wiggin' him out (although we figure it will be about 18 months before he has to). He is going to continue working now and just do generals part-time and through the summer. We're hoping he can start the nursing courses in the fall of '05 (after he finishes the generals and sciences, A&P, etc.). What were the two classes that had to be taken together? Are you going part-time or full-time? We live in Lathrop (straight up I-35 about 15 min. N or Kearney), where do you live?

KALYNN · Apr 3, 2005

L&D Someday,

Are you in the PVCC nursing program now? I am currently in the sophmore semester and I love it. I don't know what I will do this summer when I'm not in school - maybe fit back into my skinny jeans!

ashemson · Apr 4, 2005

I am in the LPN program at the Pioneer Campus. I am going eves and weekends, and I LOVE it! I have classes Wed and Thurs evenings and every other weekend. I also work pretty much FT and 3 kids, so the schedule is perfect for me. I have just applied for the bridge program and will go right into that after grad. And unfortunately, we go 17 months straight, so NO summer for me!

Good Luck!

hospitalstaph · Apr 5, 2005

L&D Someday,
Are you in the PVCC nursing program now? I am currently in the sophmore semester and I love it. I don't know what I will do this summer when I'm not in school - maybe fit back into my skinny jeans!

Kalynn,

No I am not in the program yet. I am hoping to get in for the Spring '06 class. I am getting all of my general and science courses done first so I don't have to leave my children very much.

I am glad to hear that you like it. I am looking forward to hearing that I am "in".

Tracy

Headhurt, ADN · Apr 6, 2005

Were you guys also aware that PVCC just started an evening RN program? I believe that this semester was the first semester they started. I have not heard how it is, or if students like it...but I thought that was a good option for you to look into. I know the current chair of the program, and she is awesome.

Good luck!