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I'm frustrated with trying to locate a school in my area (Georgia)with evening/night classes. I have a bachelors and masters degree with a career. But I have always wanted to be a nurse or NP. Now that I'm motivated to pursue this field, I'm knee deep in a 9-5 Monday through Friday job. Quitting my job is not feasible. I need my job to pay bills because I have no support, no spouse or family that can assist. I'm the main provider for my elderly mother as well. My employer will reimburse me for tuition as I currently work for a hospital system in a allied health position, but they cannot give me a leave with pay, as expected. I don't know what to do. I need some sound advice or inspiration from anyone going through or has gone through my situation.
Brenau Evening/Weekend program in Gainesville, GA?
The only evening program I know of other than Brenau is the Citadel (you don't have to be a cadet, but it's very expensive). Of course, it's not in GA either.
Sorry for posting a million times. I'm not sure if you're done with pre-requisites or not, but if you are around Atlanta, look into taking pre-requisite classes at GA State University Perimeter College. They have online classes you can take at whatever hours you are not at work (even sciences! you just need to go in once or twice a week for an evening or weekend lab). You should be able to take 100% of your pre-reqs online (except for labs) at GSU Perimeter.
I am fortunate that I live in a county that offers an evening ADN program. There have been many issues with the program that have made it difficult (such as some of the clinical experiences requiring day time attendance and very short notice schedule changes which is challenging for people that have daytime jobs). The program is not in your area otherwise you would have found it. I suggest, like others, to try and find a different job. Work out your budget so you know exactly what you need to live and try to make it happen. I know, easier said than done. It will be worth it in the end since the salary for nurses is typically good (although probably not high enough for what we do). Most of all, if this is the career that you've always wanted, all the sacrifices will be well worth it and it will be over before you know it. Good luck!
No one has really mentioned yet that it will be very very difficult to work a full time M-F JOB AND succeed in nursing school. Nursing school is unlike any other degree you have. I have two bachelor's degrees and nursing school is the hardest thing I've done. I'm just finishing up my first semester. Three more to go to the RN then on for the BSN. I would run from any school that only has clinical at their location in a lab and I would run from any online initial RN program. Nursing is a human field and you have to work with and on humans.
Our school recommends at most part time work. Those who thought they could `Do it all are failing out. Our school does have a part time evening program but I am in Pennsylvania. Nursing school is very hard. Some can, but most cannot handle a regular job and school. Those that do work full time do shift work on the evenings and weekends
meanmaryjean, DNP, RN
7,899 Posts
OP- if you are willing to travel, look at Online University | Accredited Online College Degrees | WGU prelicensure BSN program. The clinicals are not strictly on weekends, but are grouped together so clinical generally happens in a two week timeframe every 3 months. ALL content is delivered online and asynchronously- so holding down a job is possible.
The program is only offered in five states- Indiana, Utah, California, Texas and Florida. Once you get enough posts, I would be happy to have you PM me for more details.
WGU is non-profit, fully accredited and an NLN Center of Excellence for Nursing Education.