Homeschool Mom in New York seeks help

Brownms46 · Mar 31, 2004

I don't understand why you say she won't have a high school diploma?? Are you not working with your school district to meet their requirements??

CashewLPN, LPN · Mar 31, 2004

brownie-- usually kids homeschooled in NY get GED's... its like sop...

moia · Mar 31, 2004

Well this can be a little tricky because the GED isn't that helpful for college admissions because it doesn't offer a grade point average.Nurses are now expected to have a bachelors degree in most major centers and here in ontario it is mandatory as of this year.

Nurses many years ago recieved their training at a hospital or in a diploma program but more and more employers are looking for an advanced degree.

You may have unintentionally limited your daughters choices unfortunately but I think she could overcome them if you could get her enrolled in highschool for grades 11 and 12.Universities and Colleges usually only look at these grades for a pattern of success.

You could go on as you have been and keep her home and have her get her GED and then find a state college that still offers a diploma program. Because of the nursing shortage there should be space available. She could quite happily get her diploma and then if she wanted to she could apply elsewhere to get her degree. Lots of college programs offer a bridge program for students to do this so you should really concentrate your search for a college that guarantees that their program leads to a degree.

Personally and I stress this is only my own personal opinion I think you should enroll your daughter into highschool for grades 11 and 12. It just seems more practical and less stressful to everyone concerned. It would also expose her to her peers where she could make some meaningful relationships . It would also expose her to some of the very things you most fear and test her decision making abilities. Personally I would rather know at 17 or 18 that my child needs a little more help with appropriate choices then when it is too late and they have run into disaster their first year in college away from home.

Highschool is not only an intellectual education it is a social one and that needs to be matured along with academic maturity. Highscholl is also the first time teenagers are exposed to strict reponsibility and accountability.

They are required to complete assignments on a schedule and suffer the academic consequences if they don't. It is a prep for the academic responsibility required to be successful in college .

I just can't see MOM failing her daughter in English because she was two days late with a year end assignment while in high school it could happen quite easily. Responsibility , acountability and social maturity are what will equal academic success.

I do wonder if your daughter has been exposed to the reality of the nursing role. She may want to consider a volunteer role at your hospital to expose her to the reality of the job. She may have never considered that nursing includes cleaning a patient of all they expel.

Jrnalist2RNinOR · Mar 31, 2004

Homeschool mom - dont worry, I was homeschooled and I truly believe it is the best way to go and students get the best education that way, I did get my diploma

BUT NOBODY EVER CARED!!!!

I never took any SAT's, I got into a four year college...I'm sure she can too

I went to a Jr College for a couple years before going to college, and I would STRONGLY recommend any homeschooler to do this, simply to get into a routine of going to school and doing things before going to a university....it will probably be an adjustment

I think taking prereqs at a Comm College is a huge money saver too, and the education (I feel) is almost always just as good...(if not better sometimes since those lower division classes can have huge numbers in them at a univ.)

If you have any questions just PM me - and best of luck !!!

Jrnalist2RNinOR · Mar 31, 2004

Well this can be a little tricky because the GED isn't that helpful for college admissions because it doesn't offer a grade point average.Nurses are now expected to have a bachelors degree in most major centers and here in ontario it is mandatory as of this year.
Nurses many years ago recieved their training at a hospital or in a diploma program but more and more employers are looking for an advanced degree.
You may have unintentionally limited your daughters choices unfortunately but I think she could overcome them if you could get her enrolled in highschool for grades 11 and 12.Universities and Colleges usually only look at these grades for a pattern of success.
You could go on as you have been and keep her home and have her get her GED and then find a state college that still offers a diploma program. Because of the nursing shortage there should be space available. She could quite happily get her diploma and then if she wanted to she could apply elsewhere to get her degree. Lots of college programs offer a bridge program for students to do this so you should really concentrate your search for a college that guarantees that their program leads to a degree.
Personally and I stress this is only my own personal opinion I think you should enroll your daughter into highschool for grades 11 and 12. It just seems more practical and less stressful to everyone concerned. It would also expose her to her peers where she could make some meaningful relationships . It would also expose her to some of the very things you most fear and test her decision making abilities. Personally I would rather know at 17 or 18 that my child needs a little more help with appropriate choices then when it is too late and they have run into disaster their first year in college away from home.
Highschool is not only an intellectual education it is a social one and that needs to be matured along with academic maturity. Highscholl is also the first time teenagers are exposed to strict reponsibility and accountability.
They are required to complete assignments on a schedule and suffer the academic consequences if they don't. It is a prep for the academic responsibility required to be successful in college .
I just can't see MOM failing her daughter in English because she was two days late with a year end assignment while in high school it could happen quite easily. Responsibility , acountability and social maturity are what will equal academic success.
I do wonder if your daughter has been exposed to the reality of the nursing role. She may want to consider a volunteer role at your hospital to expose her to the reality of the job. She may have never considered that nursing includes cleaning a patient of all they expel.

MOIA - sorry to burst any bubbles about social anxiety or anything like that about homeschooled children but - I was homeschooled, went out with my friends, hung out, partied and had a blast during high school....

It has been statistically proven that homeschooled children are now doing better than their peers that are sent through the mass educational system that we are siphoning them through because they get one on one time with somebody who truly cares about their education - and guess who that might be - their parent - who better to actually take time out of their own day, sit down with their child and teach them what they know....

Both me and my husband were homeschooled - he has a degree in computer science, I in Journalism and English...

High school is no preparation - it has turned into a joke and a medium for meeting people and hanging out

Roland · Mar 31, 2004

Here are a few ideas:

a. There are many national companies (non profit and otherwise) that offer homeschooling curriculums which feature diplomas as part of the process. In addition, they offer proctored exams to document your childs success (some are given at places like Sylvan Learning Centers and other places that can offer test monitoring services).

b. Your daughter should definately take the SAT and perhaps ALSO the ACT. That is because these tests will provide objective evidence of your daughters academic achievement. Quite frankly many homeschooled students could take the GRE, and score better than many publicly schooled individuals who had four years of college! If your daughter was an exceptional student taking the GRE (and doing average or better) would make quite a statement !

If you love your daughter don't subject her intellect and values to the average, secular, public education in America. Why would you risk lessening the value of her education by enrolling her in public school now? Also, consider checking out Hillsdale college in Michigan which is VERY receptive to homeschooled students (and quite expensive, but it offers a great deal of financial aid to those in need). You are my hero for caring enough about your daughter to give her the education that you have!

nurselala33 · Mar 31, 2004

Wow,

I thank all of you for your answers. I never meant to start a debate on homeschooling. My daughter has been in the public school and we removed her, especially when she came home and told us she got to watch MTV during class. My daughter is well adjusted, has more friends than you can imagine and has many outside activities. Next week she is traveling to Texas to compete nationnally in Bible quizzing. In July she is traveling to Ecuador to reach out to the Quiche people. She has a big heart. Last summer she volunteered in the hospital. I know the Lord will work this out if she is meant to be a nurse. I thank all of you for your answers...

Karen

Nur_1996 · Mar 31, 2004

Wow,
I thank all of you for your answers. I never meant to start a debate on homeschooling. My daughter has been in the public school and we removed her, especially when she came home and told us she got to watch MTV during class. My daughter is well adjusted, has more friends than you can imagine and has many outside activities. Next week she is traveling to Texas to compete nationnally in Bible quizzing. In July she is traveling to Ecuador to reach out to the Quiche people. She has a big heart. Last summer she volunteered in the hospital. I know the Lord will work this out if she is meant to be a nurse. I thank all of you for your answers...
Karen

I am not going to discuss the homeschool issue, because it probably is the better choice of education. PS I am a school nurse. I think you should start working on A&P and Microbiolgy, and the nurse that suggested the community college, thats a great way to get some of those credits and get her feet wet for nursing school. also the exposure of volunteering is great. I worked in the ER as a unit secretary before becoming a nurse, I was a sponge, absorbed all I could, helped a lot in nursing school.

SmilingBluEyes · Mar 31, 2004

I have a suggestion for you: What about an online academy? (there are a bunch out there, such as Laurel Springs).

I homeschool my two kids, age 5 and 11 and when my ds hits the high school years, an online academy, with emphasis on college prep, will be the choice we likely make. They really ARE competitive and GOOD, and yes, grant diplomas, as well as have high school graduation ceremonies for their graduates.

I, too, have tired of people who say we are limiting our kids' choices and social abilities in homeschooling. It's nearly always stated by people who neither know any homeschooled people and/or have a special interest in our public school systems. Some public schools are really not only poor education environments, but are out and out dangerous places to be today.

Anyhow, homeschooled kids DO do well in college. Check around; there are universities now that have set up special grants for HOMESCHOOLED CHILDREN exclusively. Tells you a LOT of what they think of the academic abilities of our homeschooled kids today. Their social interactions are often BETTER cause they are not limited 9 hours a day to nothing but kids their own ages with similar backgrounds, but a variety of people all the time! Anyhow......another idea....

Do you belong to ANY local homeschool organizations? If not, I suggest you do this soon-----------believe me they are around and the parents have tread where you are going now. You can do it, but it's not done ALONE!!!!!! Some sites that you may find helpful:

http://www.hslda.org/

http://www.laurelsprings.com/

http://www.home-school.com/mall/distance-learning/academies.html

Good instincts, good luck!!! You are doing ok. You just dont' want to do it alone! Take care and HTH.

louloubell1 · Mar 31, 2004

Well this can be a little tricky because the GED isn't that helpful for college admissions because it doesn't offer a grade point average..

Do you know that for sure moia? I have a GED and had no problem getting into college, even got scholarship offers based on my ACT results. I was accepted to universities that wouldn't accept my sister, who has her high school diploma and graduated with a respectable GPA. I also had no trouble having a GED when it came time to apply to a master's program in anesthesia, which I start this fall.

NurseRatchet26 · Mar 31, 2004

Hello All,
No I am not a nurse but am a Mom homeschooling her 14 year old 9th grade daughter soon to be 15 who wants to be a nurse. New York is tough on homeschool students and frowns on them. So my question: What can I do to prepare my daughter for a nursing career. She has wanted to be a nurse since she was very little. Now because my daughter is homeschooled she will not obtain a high school diploma. But as many of you know homeschooled children do very well. Any advice would be helpful.
Thanks,
Latisha

I don't have any specific adivce related to nursing, just wanted to applaud you for braving all the negativity and homeschooling. I tried to HS my son who has Aspergers syndrome (and Autism- like disorder) and AdHD. I simply could not do it , had a new baby at the time, he was very hard to manage as far as getting him to work, finally he asked to go back to public school. Right now he is in Special Ed in a fairly small setting but I do worry about the time when he will be exposed to more of the negative things (you know how kids can be). I think its a cool thing you are doing. Don't worry, if your daughter really wants to be a nurse, she'll find a way. You can prpare her by teaching her as much Biology, chemistry, anatomy and physiology, math, that you can. And it never hurts to get a head start on Pharmacology :)