future student

maxcat · Jan 24, 2005

Hi !
I am new to this site, and have found reading some messages very helpful.
I am hoping I can gain from some of your experience and insight. I have been working in the corporate world (full time)for the last 7 years...and I'm ready for a challenging career in the healthcare field.
I have a bachelor's degree in social work and I've been wanting to become a nurse for many years now.
I have started the application process for schools around my area. I have a very supportive spouse and a wonderful child. But also, I have a serious financial responsibility to my family. It is a financial impossibility for me to go to school full time. Even cutting down to part time would be difficult, but we are hoping to be able to do it.
Does anyone have any ideas/experience with jobs in the field which would allow me to gain experience, but also pays well and / or offers tuition reimbursement?
Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

I'm sort of in your same boat, though I am a SAHM to 2 kids (who are only 9 months and 2.5 years). If I go to nursing school in the next few years (which I hope to do...) I will have to pay for daycare in addition to school, and I'm not sure how it will be done...it's an extra $1200-$1500/month, in our area...

I am actually taking a CNA course right now, and hope to work a little after I complete it. I am hoping for a few night/weekend shifts (i.e. no daycare-husband can take over). CNA's actually get paid OK here (around $14/ish an hour). I feel that it will be good preparation for nursing school, though I am not sure if employers will pay for a CNA go to go to Nursing school-need to check that out.

Someone here may have a better idea, but that's my plan for now.

Good luck!

mdcantrell · Jan 24, 2005

I have a 3.5 year old and a 9 month old. You are definitely further ahead in your goals then I am. I am just in the research phase at this point, wondering if it's even possible to pursue this with two young kids. I know I want to wait until the youngest is in preschool before I start any kind of nursing program, and even then, it would have to be part time, if there is such a thing.

If not, I may just wait until they are both in school full time. Of course, there are plenty of prerequisites I could take now.

But I wanted to know what CNA is. Is that certified nurse assistant? Can you tell me more about it?

thanks!

I'm sort of in your same boat, though I am a SAHM to 2 kids (who are only 9 months and 2.5 years). If I go to nursing school in the next few years (which I hope to do...) I will have to pay for daycare in addition to school, and I'm not sure how it will be done...it's an extra $1200-$1500/month, in our area...
I am actually taking a CNA course right now, and hope to work a little after I complete it. I am hoping for a few night/weekend shifts (i.e. no daycare-husband can take over). CNA's actually get paid OK here (around $14/ish an hour). I feel that it will be good preparation for nursing school, though I am not sure if employers will pay for a CNA go to go to Nursing school-need to check that out.
Someone here may have a better idea, but that's my plan for now.
Good luck!