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I just attended the orientation today at MCI for their LPN day program which starts Tues, Sept 4,2007. I am a Navy wife whose husband is overseas and a mom with a 5 year daughter who is about to start Kindergarten. I am concerned about this program being to strict on attendance and confining with many rules regarding excused absences. They still have class on school holidays and I am concerned about being able to have enough excusable days in a 5-week module to stay at home in case my daughter gets sick throughout her school year. The program seems to be a good one, but I am not too sure if it's gonna work for me since I am the only caregiver for my daughter at this time. I would like to hear advice from anyone who has been in this situation or advice concerning this issue. I am seriously contemplating delaying this program, but don't want to keep putting off.

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I would recommend you find a friend or even a paid caregiver to back you up and watch your child if she gets sick. Hopefully you won't need that many sick days, but you honestly never know. My daughter had a simple cold last year that turned into pneumonia and was in the hospital for three days. My husband is here, of course, but I also have a next door neighbor who helped me out too.

Good luck!

Kelly

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Thanks so much for the advice and the boost of confidence. I will definitely look into finding a back-up babysitter for her. I try to keep in mind that this is only a 12-month program, and that my husband won't always be gone. Thanks again!

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Hi I Seriously Would Consider Going Forward In Your Program If I Were You. Just To Put A Bug In Your Ear I'm A Single Parent Worked Part Time And Went To School From 8 To 5 Monday Thru Thursday. I'm A Rn Bsn. It Was Very Difficult At First B/c Unlike Your Daughter Mines Was Alot Older In Her Teens If You Know What I Mean. So Keeping Track Of Her Activities For School Were Tiring . It Was Like Doing Double With The Projects ,trips , Reports Etc. It Was Very Hard But My Family Members Would Chip In.and There Were Days She Would Have To Go To A Friends Until I Came Home. But I You Have The Desire To Become A Nurse Be Positive And Everything Will Work It's Way Out.it Will Be Hard But Hold Your Head Up. If You Have To Cry Then Cry I Did But I Made It Thru. It Only Will Make You Stronger. Everything Gets Bad Before It Gets Better. Good Luck!!! Hold Your Head Up!

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Specializes in Psych ICU, addictions.

Go to your nearest Child Development Center office at your nearest Navy base, and get your daughter enrolled in the CDC program ASAP. You can only do it in person.

They are the best childcare resource for military parents in the area, and you can get a ton of referrals for all types of childcare (fulltime, parttime, after-school, shiftwork, etc.). They may even have options for sick-child childcare (I don't know offhand, you may have to ask)

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There is a day care in Virginia Beach that is for mildly-ill children. I believe its called Sunny Tomorrow day care. They have an RN on site and it is only for children who cannot attend school or other traditional day care due to a brief illness. Worth checking into...it may be a last resort type option.

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