Going to school to be an LPN but...

[DelanaRN, MSN, APRN, NP]

...I think I might need to work on the side just to afford daycare for my 16 month old. We don't qualify for assistance, but we don't make enough to pay the $155-$183 a week for child care either. I also have an 8 year old that is in school during the year, but will need summer care, which will increase the cost of childcare alot as well.

I heard that after going through the first couple of semesters of LPN school, I could get certified as a CNA. Is that possible and if so, would I be able to find a job that would work around my classes and clinicals?? I could maybe do a weekend day a week while my husband is home from work?? Or, perhaps a couple of night shifts a week? At least enough to help take the edge off of gas costs from driving 35 miles a day each way to school and for child care.

I have been blessed to be a stay at home mom for the past 23 months, but now that I have rec'd my acceptance letter and classes start in under a month I am very nervous and have no idea how we are going to swing the costs of this. Sometimes it seems like it would be easier to just stay home until all the kids are in school full time, but I have been working on getting into this school since March (completing an essay, the NET test, two interviews, 3 letters of recommendation, etc) and I would truly hate to get into it and have to pull out do to lack of funds to pay daycare. (...and then have student loans on top of that!!)

Sigh...I am really scared.

[jb2u, ASN, RN]

You can do it. I know many Nursing students that work as cna's because the hours are easy to work around our school schedule. Other than that, look into loans, scholarships, grants, etc.

I believe that anyone can make it. Yes, it is harder for some than it is for others, but it can be done. I think you would be happier going now as oppose to waiting for your kids to get into school. Of course, if you wait then you may find another "excuse" for not going. "Well, maybe I should wait until the kids graduate." "Maybe I should wait until we pay off the car." You get my point. Someone once said that time does not stop. 2008 will come, but will you be a Nurse in 2008 or will you be saying, "oh man, I could have been a Nurse by now." I make a lot of sacrifices now, but I know that when I graduate in May 2007, I know that my life from that moment on will be better (for various reasons).

I wish you much luck and I hope you find the perfect solution to your dilemma.

Sincerely,

Jay

[Jules A, MSN]

Many of the students with children in my class relied heavily on family members pitching in to help with child care. How did you manage when you were doing your pre-req classes? Nursing school will be similar but with more hours. We could get our CNA license after the first semester. Congratulations on getting accepted. Keep us posted. Jules

[sunbeach73]

Dconnors, I live in Florida and from what I know, the state of Missouri offers child care assistance as long as you are in school. The use a sliding pay scale to help parents with childcare expenses. This may be something you'll want to look into. This is the info I found for you:

http://www.dss.mo.gov/cd/childcare/pdf/ccare.pdf#search=%22missouri%20child%20care%20assistance%22

I hope this helps!

[DelanaRN, MSN, APRN, NP]

Thanks you two...I really appreciate the response.

I can't depend on family assistance because my family lives in Kentucky, and I live in Missouri. My husband is active duty Army and we move where his orders take us. I got my pre-reqs a few years ago, and tested out of re-taking my math and science courses...I have my Assoc. Degree (Gen Ed/Business) and alot of my pre-req's came from credit hours I took then. We just moved here to MO in March...before that we lived in TX for 3.5 years, and before that KY, which is where I met my husband.

As for childcare subsidy, we don't qualify because it is based on income and we don't fall on the chart. DH makes too much to qualify but not quite so much we have an extra grand laying around for child care every month. Does that make sense??

I have $5000 in extra private student loans for childcare costs coming to me...but that won't be enough overall...in won't be near enough.

My mother thinks I should just stay home and finish my Bachelor's in Business taking online courses and then we won't have childcare fees. My husband's schedule is very erratic so I can't really depend on him to be here either (ie - right now he is in SC for three weeks). That is why we decided I would stay at home in the first place...however, he is very supportive of my going back to school too. He just wants me to be happy, or at least that is what he tells me...lol However, a business degree is not nursing and an L&D ward is where I'd like to end up working eventually.

Again, thank you both for trying to help. (((HUGS)))

[pnhopeful]

The college I am attending offers an accelerated online RN program for students who already have bachelor's degrees. If you did get your BBA, is there a similar program at any of the colleges around you? www.cscc.edu here is the homepage to the college in ohio that offers the above mentioned program. good luck.

[godsgift2]

what school are u attending in missouri if i might ask

[DelanaRN, MSN, APRN, NP]

Colorado Tech University

[pagandeva2000, LPN]

Congrats on your acceptance. My school did not offer the CNA certification. I was already working as a patient care associate, and my CNA certification expired more than 10 years, since being employeed at a hospital (hospitals do not recertify their nursing assistants). Inquire at your school if they offer this. And, keep in mind that you will be adjusting to a new job as a CNA while studying nursing. It would be good experience, though, because many nurses (especially the lazy ones) love to teach more skills to those that are interested. I wish you the very best of luck!

[NHmommy]

Yes, you can work as a CNA while in nursing school.

I'd look for a job that has tuition re-imbursement. Most hospitals are so desperate they will pay CNA's to upgrade to LPN's and LPN's to upgrade to RN's.

Some nursing homes do as well.

Look around and good luck!

[hrslvr1970]

I feel for you, you may want to check out Indian State University. They have several online nursing options and may be what you are looking for. You don't have to live in Indiana either. Good luck!