Hello? Is there anyone in my situation?

Nursing Students Pre-Nursing

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:crying2: Hello my name is LaToya and I have been following threads on this forum for over a year now but I still have many unanswered questions after reading all of the wonderful posts. I feel like the only person in my situation. I'm 25, married with three wonderful children ages 5,3,1. I have two semesters left of pre-requisites before I can apply to clinicals at HACC.. I love the prerequisites:heartbeat they have given me the opporutunity to really appreciate the human body/deterioration and I love learning about it, but now this chapter is about to close and I don't know what to.

I AM THE BREADWINNER, in my home so I can't possibly quit my job my husband is like another liability to me I have to show him what I need from him in order for him to produce, he is not a risktaker and he's happy to make a dollar out of 15 cents:twocents:. I'm the complete opposite I want the very best (hence furthuring my education). Our parents have raised us and will only keep the children at their convience, (I'm not mad they are our children) so what my situation boils down to is... I have no REAL support system (but yet everyone is rooting me on:down:) I can't quit my job, the low income areas in our town are war zones:devil: (its unfair to my children to even think about moving there). I have heard single people complain about how hard clinical is, so I feel that it would be impossible for me.. I am a very hard,passionate worker I love nursing and I really don't want to settle for less but what would you advise me to do? I don't want to set my self up for failure.. Please someone in my situation, please help me, I'm stuck, oh..btw... I want to provide for my children, NOW I don't want to wait until they're older to complete school because that defeats my purpose for furthuring my education... Please help me

latoya...your post is actually really inspirational. i love to see that drive that you have. keep that going!

I really appreciate everyone and I will continue going on my, "walking by faith, not by sight journey":hug::lttang:

you might also qualify for grants or other financial aid for college that you don't have to pay back. and loans don't have to be repaid until after you graduate. I personally think loans for school are the only kind of debt that is acceptable, so I don't mind taking them when I need them. good luck to you.

19 years ago when my youngest was 1 year old my husband lost his job and I was working at a hospital doing transportation. (loved it) He decided to go back to school and I joined him. We had to make ourselves as poor as we could to get an education.

I took classes as I could but we focused on husbands education. We lived on campus in family housing, got the pell grant, and took out loans. We even got medicaid, food stamps and a monthly check. (the check was 6 months out of the year. He did work-study so he had a part time job on campus.

My kids were 5, 4, and 2 when we were finally able to make this switch. It was really hard my inlaws played Santa and Bunny. We have some very memorable times and wouldn't trade it for the word. Although, I didn't finish my degree it has set me up to make it easier today.

I say all this because I believe you should use any and every system in place to help you reach your goals. That is why the programs and benefits are available. To make your life better.

I would also look at a campus with childcare. Get on the waiting list.

OMG :clpty: your story is something I can relate too. You can be married with children and stil live on campus?? You have got to give me some details, Please tell me how you did this.. I would start packing today!!! If it's a great, deal:biggringi I would love to do this, what are the qualifications,I hope these types of programs are still available.. ummm what state do you live in, I hope this perk is for multi-state families!! You just completely gave me some hope/insight because I was really thinking about changing my major..

BTW my school's daycare waiting list is impossible, I already have a wonderful childcare provider...

HI i know is nothing to do with this... post but i just want to ask DO u know how many college and which college offer the LVN program? that start in june or july 2011. thank you so much

OMG :clpty: your story is something I can relate too. You can be married with children and stil live on campus?? You have got to give me some details, Please tell me how you did this.. I would start packing today!!! If it's a great, deal:biggringi I would love to do this, what are the qualifications,I hope these types of programs are still available.. ummm what state do you live in, I hope this perk is for multi-state families!! You just completely gave me some hope/insight because I was really thinking about changing my major..

BTW my school's daycare waiting list is impossible, I already have a wonderful childcare provider...

We lived in Texas at the time. There were 3 colleges that had family housing in the entire state. There might be more now. You have to research every school in the state you are in. Do they have nursing? Do they have family housing or recommendations on low income housing that is safe? Sometimes the United way can give direction on who to call for the different programs. Food stamps, medicaid, afdc, work development ect. Just the research and getting prepared can be a job in itself till it is in place.

Best of luck to you!!

PS Only 1 of the 3 schools offers nursing. Stephen F Austin State Univ. I haven't been to check if they still have it in awhile.

thanks so much!

Specializes in Infectious Disease, Neuro, Research.
I know nursing school is hard but what magnitude are you talking about is it critical thinking, science math hard?:uhoh3: or more of a heck of a lot of studying.

From what you've said here, you have assessed your family situation "critically" and identified strengths and weaknesses- that's the largest part of most nursing programs today. A&P and micro are usually pretty tough, but do-able. I did 8 week courses for both. Intensive and packed, but testing was to the essentials of the course, and didn't get into the more academic questions that 16 week courses use to flesh-out. The 8 weekers may not be accepted at another school, just a word of warning.

If you can get a hospital job, that is usually a BIG help. Generally, you'll have at least a couple of nurses on the floor who would love to quiz you, and work on your "critical thinking" related to nursing while you're on the floor. You communicate like a very sharp lady. Plan, don't make hasty decisions, and I would say you'll do fine.

Hi Toya!

You're definitely not the only one having to weigh all these variables.

Have you thought about taking a different route to your destination though? I was discussing my own work vs school dilemma with a coworker and she let me in to her situation. She is almost done with her LVN program and is looking at LVN-RN accelerated programs next. The LVN route allowed her more scheduling flexibility as she was able to take clinicals in the evenings or on the weekends even. *shrug* It's another option/route to consider. Either way, you're strong/smart enough to figure out what works best for you and your family! Good luck! :)

Does your school have a 'NITES/WEEKENDS' cohort? My school does, and many working people go to that one. That would assume that you could entrust hubby to at least take care of house/kids while you do this.

Specializes in Critical Care, Trauma.

i am currently kind of in your situation... i am the bread winner in my family with many medical issues... my wife diabetic and 2 daughters going to be 3 and 4. i have been taking classes part time and it has taken me a while... my incentive to keep going is just looking at my kids... i have had 2 back surgeries one in 08 and one recently and currently may be looking at a third already... i personally do what i can online and work full time... my girls rarely get to see me but when they do it is very rewarding... i think of myself kind of being in the shoes of the soldiers... now with gas prices going up i will be looking for advice soon...:jester: just have to have faith and that is were i look in times of need...

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