finding the right schooling

[rmayes43]

Ok, so I have been for the past year looking to obtain an Associates degree in nursing and ultimately earning my RN. I have not been able to find an online school (because with work and my 1yr old its hard to attend a campus) that will allow me to take classes that are transferable to an RN program which eventually I willbe able to attend of course on a campus. Anyone who has gone this route please help, I am currently a CNA and love my field but I refuse to settle for this when I know I can be so much more in the healthcare field.

[efda2rn]

Unfortunately for you, I believe that all RN programs have a clinical component for skills, which means that you will have to be on campus. I think that there maybe some some part time programs or programs that are at night, but I do not know their specific locations. If you haven't started taking your prerequisites, though, many community colleges offer on-line classes or hybrid classes as options. Good luck in your search!

[jan286]

Look into the community colleges. There are a lot of pre or co-reqs that should be done ahead of time. Most of them you can do online (pretty much all of them except the sciences). I know Northwestern in Winsted has a lot of online classes. Naugatuck Valley is starting to increase their online class selection. I did pretty much 2 classes/semester (1 online and 1 science online) because I had a full time job and kids. It took me 3 years (6 semesters) to get everything done other than the actual nursing courses. Now I am in the nursing program. I am not working (but my husband and I prepared for this). My program is 4 days/week. It is easier though because my kids are older than when I started.

[KariZayBSN]

Hi! You have a couple options. With RN schooling you have at least two to four semesters of prerequisite coursework. Things like English Comp, psych 101, etc may be offered online. That will give you time to get the basics out of the way.

Look into daycare options at the school. A friend of mine who had a baby used to drop her baby off at the school daycare so while she was at school, her baby was being watched. You would probably qualify for daycare assistance (Care for Kids) so look into that. It may pay for a family member to watch your baby.

Another option is to get a CNA job working weekends only and attend school during the week.

You could also get your LPN (no prerequisites) and go through Excelsior (mostly online/home study) to get your RN.

Whatever path you choose, it won't be easy (I had no kids when I was in nursing school and it was hard working as a CNA full time). Through the grace of God, you will do it! Stay focused and determined!