how far is tooooo far for school????

delilas · Feb 9, 2010

It really depends on several other factors you should consider!

My school has several people commuting about an hour.

BUT in general, we're in class two days a week. The other two days are usually taken up by clinical rotations, and our school maintains the right to send us up to 60 miles from the school to a clinical site...this means some people are driving two hours or more for clinicals.

Also, weather in your area is a big thing too. I only live 15 miles from my school, but this morning, it took me 65 minutes to get here because of a snow storm. Nursing schools - especially ones that aren't part of a larger university - are often more strict about attendance despite weather, and you have to make the decision if you're either ready to make that drive in all kinds of weather and/or ready to miss classes you often times can't make up.

Great nursing schools are sometimes hard to find, and I can sympathize with the confusion; I'm switched schools after my LPN partially because I didn't like waking up at 5am on snowy days to ensure I could make class at 8am.

BA_anthropology · Feb 9, 2010

Why are these schools sooooo expensive in CT?? I live here too, and I've looked at that number in disbelief. $35,000??? It's cheaper to get your RN, here!

I spent a semester of college commuting from CT to Boston and...well..I wouldn't do it again.

Consider the times that classes begin, what time you'll have to be waking up in order to get there on time, compared to your work and living situation. Also, factor in commuting as "study hours" to see if you can handle the work load. Good luck!

marineswife0809 · Feb 9, 2010

yes classes are 810 am to 300pm monday-friday. i was considering moving closer to school but still remain in connecticut--- i just came from california out there i wouldnt have to woryy about snow and blizzards......IM BACK HOME IN CONNECTICUT AND IT SNOWS. but the tution here is 35000 dollars.. the governor just clsed the state lpn program that cost 3500!!!!! i dont know what to do

marineswife0809 · Feb 9, 2010

BA-- the rn programs are bananas trying to get into in ct--plus so competitive. im a mother of 3 and hubby is marines i really have to figure something out. I CANT BE A CNA ANY LONGER ! LOL

Saysfaa · Feb 9, 2010

I've known a few people who commuted that far. Usually there is a compelling reason they don't move closer to the school because the transportation costs can outweight the room and board costs. It is hard to give up that much time each week, but my friends regained some of it by playing recordings of their study notes or lectures or text books.

If you do it, you might find a classmate or friend you could bunk with when the weather forcast is bad.

meadowsong, ASN, RN · Feb 9, 2010

I did about 55 miles to school, then 55 home every day for my LPN degree. I think it was worth it then.......but this was many years ago when gas wasn't so high though, I had a beater car, and my program was only 15 months. If I was to do it over again now, there is no way I would do it. My life is just much different now.

So there are many things to consider. Gas prices, weather in your area, the length of the program, the wear and tear on your vehicle, family commitments, travel time, and so forth. I guess what you spend on driving costs, could potentially equal tuition differences in the long run.

Jules A, MSN · Feb 9, 2010

Mine was about 85 miles each way. It was only a year and I actually enjoyed the time alone in my car with nothing but the radio playing. Good luck.

marineswife0809 · Feb 9, 2010

thanksn for the responses-- i reallyneed to think about it=its only a 9 mon th program

wifeys · Feb 9, 2010

My advice for what it's worth, is to think long and hard about the commute time involved. I drive and hour and twenty minutes one way to school and then again, to get back home. If you can tape lectures, it gives you a chance to listen to them again, but if the teacher is opposed to taping, it is lost time in which you could be studying. Also, even though we only have school two days a week in theory, I am always spending at least another two more in the skills labs, so in truth. I drive 3 days a week, plus 2 clinicals assignments which can be an hour and a half away. Then there's heavy fog, rain,parking, traffic and accidents to consider.

When you are studying and you are a long ways from home, if you have little kids, you have to consider the delays this will cause in your family life. Dinners is almost always late, or homework, or bathtime.

I drive all of the time, and even with careful planning I am generally a bit behind on studying because of it.

I am fourth semester now, and what didn't see like a big deal to begin with is a huge deal now, because the workload is about triple what it used to be and the time I have to do things is still the same.

Just my two cents.

Good luck to you!

marineswife0809 · Feb 9, 2010

thats alot of factors..........i may just pay 35000 in tution because i have 3 small kids. because i would have to wake up @ 5 am just to make it to school

caliotter3 · Feb 9, 2010

Until I read that you have kids I was going to suggest that you get an agreement with a classmate to sleep on their couch four nights a week. Too much aggravation if you have kids to take care of. Good luck with your school plans.