My goal is to become an LPN and go back to school to become an RN. I applied for a few programs in my city (there aren't many) and only one called me immediately. They told me that it would be best to quit my job because I will be taking 15 months of clinical classes and I need to be available at all times of the day. I work 20 hours a week at a library. My job isn't very flexible, but I need money! I need to pay for these classes and I have other bills on the side. I'd like to be able to afford to buy some new shoes or just a bottle of shampoo! I can't go 15 months without cash. I was supposed to be moving out next fall. What do you guys suggest??? Quit my job or find a new program for LPNs???
BUT if you borrowed enough to live on that could mean as much as....what $30,000 a year? You will Never work hard or long enough to pay that back!!
I am working fulltime and going to school fulltime now. I make about $50,000 a year now as an LPN. How the heck could I stop working and still pay my bills?
When clinicals start I will find a job with a weekend program. At this stage in life no Wayyy would I borrow that much money. lol.
ok this is just a thought.
A lot of girls I know whom I am going to LPN school did this. They applied for as many grants they could get and then they applied for federal loans at low interest rates to live off of while they were in school. People do it all the time while in college. Some courses are just to hard to try and juggle school, work, family and most importantly STUDY TIME. Our Instructor emplasizes a miniumum study time of 30 hrs a week. If you budgeted really well you could make it work, hey you may not be eating out every night and going on vacation but this way you have an equlibrium to the chaos. just a thought.
Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
ok this is just a thought.
A lot of girls I know whom I am going to LPN school did this. They applied for as many grants they could get and then they applied for federal loans at low interest rates to live off of while they were in school. People do it all the time while in college.
I didn't qualify for grants or low-interest federal loans for a couple of reasons.
1. I started LVN school at age 23, so I was still considered a 'dependent student' even though I was living on my own and earning my own living. With 'dependent student' status, my parents' incomes would be included on the FAFSA forms, essentially disqualifying me for any type of federal loan or grant. Also, my parents refused to disclose their information on the FAFSA.
2. At age 23 I was earning over $40,000 yearly from a factory job. This was too much income to qualify for any need-based loan or grant. I also owned a home and had a decently-sized savings account, which further disqualified me from receiving any financial aid.
I ended up obtaining a loan from Sallie Mae, since they qualify people for student loans without regard to need.
Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
I hear you. I'm 23 and make $38K and my husband makes about the same so there was no way I could get grants.
Yep. People should not automatically make the assumption that all young adults are living with their parents and earning little or no money. In my honest opinion, this type of thinking is a form of ageism.
I would not quit my job to go to school full time, unless I had enough money to support myself. If I dont have food or a place to sleep, I wont be able to study....Maslow Theory
I just graduated in November from the lvn program and I worked full time the whole program at the hospital in the ER dept as a unit clerk. It was really hard and took alot of work juggling a husband, and three children and full time school, but I did it. If you work part time you will be fine. Good Luck, you can do it.
I worked about 30 hours a week through LPN and am now working about 35 though RN. I am also a single mom of one, and I managed. If you can just suck it up for what will end up being a short amount of time in the long run, all your efforts will pay off! One other thing, I work for MD's in an office setting and they are much more willing to work around a schedule when they know its going to benefit them in the long run also. This is just my experiance, but you hang in there, it will all be worth it. Also, I do think being an LPN has given me an advantage in RN. I don't know how the "off the street" people do it.
I worked full time while in the LPN program. My classes were full time M-F days, clinicals were 7-3:30. I worked 2nd shift from whenever I punched in (I didn't have a set time to show up) 'til 8 hours were up. I had to drive 50 miles to and from my job each day also M-F. I literally lived on about 4 hours of sleep for 10 months, but it was worth it!
I am not working through school. I was told by our director that it was not a wise decision. Anyone in our class who was working is now in school full time. We have class two days a week from 8-3:30 and clinicals the rest of the days from 6:30 - 2, with post clinical from 2-3. I'm 29 and got the maximum I could through student loans through my junior college. It's hard, I have no life, I'm gaining weight and my best friend is a Foundations of Nursing book. But it is worth every moment!!
jodyangel, RN
687 Posts
BUT if you borrowed enough to live on that could mean as much as....what $30,000 a year? You will Never work hard or long enough to pay that back!!
I am working fulltime and going to school fulltime now. I make about $50,000 a year now as an LPN. How the heck could I stop working and still pay my bills?
When clinicals start I will find a job with a weekend program. At this stage in life no Wayyy would I borrow that much money. lol.