Any Advice on School/Work balance

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Hi,

I am going to get a little personal with this post so I can get the best answer. I live in Pinellas County. I work 2 jobs right now at UHC insurance and at a Psych/Drug Live in Residencial Facility. The only reason I am able to work both jobs right now is becuase of my live in BF. I have a seven year old daughter. But we are going to go our seperate ways in a few months and I desperately want to go back to school. More specifically, I want to get my LPN. There is no way I can go to night school, because I have no family to keep my child for me. I have several choices, but am not sure which one would be right for me. I really just want to work less than 20 hrs a week and mainly focus on school. I have allready gotten a low income apartment secured. So I have compiled a list of questions.

Would it be possible for me to get a loan, for say 15K in order to pay up (most) of my bills for a year. So if I go to PHCC (pasco-hernando CC) the cost is only about 3K. how much of a loan do they actually give you, when you apply for a stafford? Is this a viable option?

If I get my LPN certificate, how extacttly does the "bridging" to RN work? Can it be done online? If thats my plan would it be best to use a CC LPN program (allthought the only schools who have those are PHCC and Seminole CC in Orlando) I have some pre reqs done (not many) from a stint at Valencia CC last year.

My main job as an Medical Insurance Claims Adjuster is VERY demanding, they company is totally unflexible, and once I hit the internal company goals there will be mandatory overtime. I cant see myself working there and going to school full time and running a household and taking care of my daughter. So what am I to do. I know there are some miracle moms out there who have pulled this off. Please keep in mind that I have no family and my daiughter has to be p/u by 6PM everynight.

P.S. Obviously I dont mind going into debt to do this, its probably the only way I can do it. Thanks! (Sorry for lengthy post)

Thanks For any responses....and if you read this before Tue DONT FORGET TO VOTE!!!!!!!!!

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did you try ptech? they're having a job fair next month. good, inexpensive lpn program. as far as an online bridge program, you might want to get your lpn before deciding, because in a year or two there might be more options for online studies.

http://www.myptec.org/?page=pninfo

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did you try ptech? they're having a job fair next month. good, inexpensive lpn program. as far as an online bridge program, you might want to get your lpn before deciding, because in a year or two there might be more options for online studies.

http://www.myptec.org/?page=pninfo

thanks for the reply, do you have more info on the fair?

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1. what is your 2nd job hours and will u be able to keep it if you go to LPN school?

2. It seems clear that you are limited to day classes as you have child care issues.

3. Also, there is so much to nursing schools, the various rules,d eadlines, how they accept students ie. lottery vs non-lottery vs net, vs TABE, Teas test etc You really have to do your own research so that you have a solid understanding about the various differences in the programs. We can help but you need to see and plot/process the info yourself.

Some LPN programs to look into that are inexpensive are www.erwin.edu in Tampa off Hillsborugh(excellent program)- they have a lottery system- 3 LPN classes- start Aug 09-, Jan and Mar 2010 must take Tabe if no degree, www.brewster.edu- another program in Tampa, next classis Nov 09, lottery system, www.myptec.org, Pinellas Tech- they have 2 campuses i.e Clearwater and St. Pete- several classes, I don't think that they have a ltottery syste.

I have a Masters and from my own research you will not be able to borrow $15k for a Stafford or subsidized loan. I'm not sure of the amount but for 1st year college, I believe that it was around $7,500 per year divided into 2 semesters. You may have to go to private loans in addition to subsidized/stafford loans.

3. While you are working, I would try to take as many pre-reqs at HCC or St Pete community college as possible while trying to get in a LPN program. Many classes are offered on line if you don't have a babysitter. I would also look in finding a licensed daycare provider whom you are comfortabel with as I am sure that there may be days when you will need someone. Classes such as Eng 1, Sociology, Psych, Growth and Nutrition, Lifespan can be taken on line. I also STRONGLY suggest that you take Anatomy and Phsiology 1 and lab before LPN school. It is not necessary but it will help you when u are in the LPN program and you definitely need it before you can transition into a LPN-RN program.

4. I would probably(not knowing any more than you have said) try to take as many pre-reqs at the local college while waiting. Can you list the classes that you have taken?

5. I don't know of any local on line LPN to RN bridge program here in the Tampa Bay area. I have heard that you can take online classes through the college network where they mail you packets and you take the study and go to local sites for the clinicals.

6. LPN Transition- you have to have the same pre-reqs required for a non LPN student- at HCC ie

AP1 and lab, AP2 and lab, Sociology, College Algebra, Eng 1, Micro 1 and lab- The GE requirements which are not needed to apply are Eng2 and 2 humanities classes.

Note: 10 credit hours of articulated credit or experiential

credit may be awarded to individuals who are licensed

practical nurses.

This class only admits in the Summer. PHCC has a more lenient pre-req list for their program. I believe that you only need AP1 and lab, Microcomputers or Eng 1, Growth and Nutrition and Psych. www. phcc.edu

Good luck

U have a lot of decisions. I would think long and hard as you have no family network. Make sure that you save as much as you can while you are waiting.

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I work FRI,SAT,SUN 3-11 at my second job.

I guess I will probably go to Ptech first.

I have Gen Psych, Gov., all the rest of the classes I have allready taken were remidial. I still need AP 1and2, Microbiology, Comp I, ect. If I was to go for an AA. At this point I just want to get my certificate. Is there a real possiblity for private loans? Is that a complicated process? Thanks so much for all the advice.

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Based on what you have told me, I would try to get registered for Ap1 and lab asap for the Spring semester at HCC or SPC. I would also take an Eng 1 class with this.

I would also research Erwin Tech and Ptec and apply to both programs to increase your chances of getting into one. I would definitely go the LPn route based on your limited resources, lack of childcare and no family close by. I get it that you will need to work asap and make a decent wage.

I am not sure about private loans but I believe that you may be able to get them in addition to the private loans but you have to check on that. Just google private student loan and first year student and see the requirements.

If you choose to got he LPN route, work on your other pre-reqs while waiting for acceptance and save, save save. i would say if you can complete AP1 and lab, AP2 and lab, Eng 1, Growth and Nutrition would be a humanities elective along with your Gen Psych and both HCC and SPC would take it.

The Growth and Nutrition class will help you in your LPN class as they do a module on Growth and Nutrition and 50hrs on AP. Getting these classes out the way while waiting for acceptance to a LPN program will help you in LPN and will lessen the ones that you need to take when you are getting ready to bridge to RN.

I can tell you that they won't let you take AP1 unless u have intermediate math. However, my daughter went to the Dean to get a waiver and she also asked the teacher and he agreed because really there is no math involved.

YOu have a road map now, it is just up to you how you navigate it. I would save, save save as Erwin tech's next lpn classes are Aug 09, Jan and Mar 2010. I think that Ptech has 2 or 3 classes next year and http://www.brewster.edu has a LPN class in NOv 09. It is based in Tampa.

I would keep the part time job when you get accepted so at least you have resources for food, gas, pocket money. I won't recommend a full time job.

You don't need to go for an AA. If you wanted to go for a degree I would suggest an A.S which you don't need all the GE classes for. Search this board and go to the school sites and get your own research done. It won't all really make sense unless you invest the time into doing your own research.

It can be done with proper planning. However, try to get into school for the Spring 2010. I would assume that you have completed Eng 1. Have you?

Good luck.

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