What to do about summer?

[battymom]

I am currently in my 2nd semester at Jeff State. I have been struggling a little this semester, all though I am passing I could be doing better. I will be in my 3rd semester through the summer this year. I have 2 children(10 & 7) who will need child care for the summer, I have priced a couple of summer programs & a personal friend for the summer & it will cost over $3000 to have child care for the whole summer! Up until now I haven't needed childcare, prior to starting college in '08 I was a stay at home mom & since I have been in school my class schedule has been very flexible so I was still able to be there for my kids before/after school. We have no family in the area, so free child care is out of the question. We are a one income family & needless to say can't afford an extra $3000 expense. Right now I am considering taking the summer off from school & applying to start back in the fall for my 3rd semester. I have been told that it is highly unlikely that I will be allowed to reenter at either campus because there are too many students out of progression wanting to get back in.

I have a couple of questions...

1. What is the time commitment for a summer semester with Maternity/Child nursing and Med-Surg II? I am looking for amount of clinical time (total days), I know the study time will be intense. My main concern is time commitment outside the home.

2. Does anyone know if I take the summer off and try to start my 3rd semester in the fall, will I have any success getting back into the program or should I just add the debt for child care & progress through with my class?

I am truly at a crossroads!! I feel like I have put so much into this program & don't want to get off track, if I do take the summer off & can't get back in at Jeff State I will either try to get in at Wallace State or go ahead an start working on my BSN pre-reqs.

Any advice is very much needed!!

[futurernjap]

First off- I applaud you for being a full time mom and a full time student, my mom is a single parent getting ready to put me through Jeff states rn program starting this summer so I know how that goes even though your not a single mom, I know it's still hard! Secondly have you looked into the YMCA. I know they have programs all throughout the summer and there pretty affordable and they put emphasis on summer learning- you know teaching the children educational activities. Also you might want to look into some local churches. They usually offer summer camps and such.

[futurernjap]

Here's a link:

http://www.ymcabham.org/yprograms/default.asp?bch=5&pgt=8

And they also offer finical assistance if it's needed.

[battymom]

Thanks! I have checked with the YMCA & for every week of the summer their program is over $3000 for both my kids.

[futurernjap]

Omg! They have really went up! It wasn't even a thousand when I went! Hopefully you find something to help! And how do u like Jeff state so far? I start this summer and I'm super excited and nervous. What campus do u attend? And any advice?

[BamaBeachbound78]

Speak with your dean or whomever is over your nursing program. They may be able to work with you and hold a spot for you in the fall given your circumstances. Heck, the campus may even have child care assistance of some sort...if not, they should! Good Luck!

[sugirl09]

sometimes when you sit out a semester you will have to wait another semester before you can pick that class back up. Does your area offer childcare assistance programs?

[1southernstudent]

How about a high schooler or college student (some take the summer off). They would enjoy the extra money and you can usually work out a fair by the week price. My daughter has done it for several years and is disappointed that she'll be in school this summer and not able to do it (the moms are disappointed as well since they usually fight over who gets her each year). She usually had 2 days a week that were day trips such as lunch and a trip to the library, pool, movies, museum, bowling alley etc that were paid for by the parents and the rest were spent at home doing fun things. She taught cooking, played games, did crafts or anything that they showed an interest in learning. If they only needed a couple of days she'd do 2 families. Just an idea.