How far would you commute to nursing school?

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I live in a town where there are three nursing schools but two are private schools that cost 30k plus a year and one is a community college with a three year waitlist! There are three community colleges about two hours away and one state university that is two hours away. So would anyone be crazy enough to commute this far for nursing school? Or would you wait the three years for the community college? I just became a CNA and plan to work as one until I get to start school or possibly take an EMT program part time and work or volunteer as an EMT too...

What would you do?

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Two hours away, you are looking at a four hour driving time there and back. I'm sure people have done this, but it's not ideal. How long is the program? I suppose you could rough it for a year. But two or three years? Gosh no. Plus you have to factor in the clinicals. What if they are far from the school? You could end up driving three hours.

Are you able to rent a room closer to these schools, and then maybe come home on your days off from school? I just think being in the car for four hours- by the time you get home- will you have the energy to study? Also traffic jam? That could add on to the time.

Yet, I'm sure people have done it.

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The most I would drive would be an hour. My reason being is because I had to do clinicals at a hospital that was one hour away. Even that one hour drive was hard because we would all be tired on the way home. I couldn't imagine having to do more than that.

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I don't think I could do that for longer than a year, 2 if I was really dedicated. Taking into account that my clinicals start at 7 am, that is just way too early for me. If you're very dedicated and use the time in the car to listen to recorded lectures, I believe its possible! My sister commuted to her campus for her masters in psych and it was a 2 hour drive there and 2 hours back She only lasted about a year before she finally just moved to the town.

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I drive just over an hour each way - some days it is closer to 2 when the weather is bad. There are pros and cons but in my opinion it's worth it. Plus it's only for a short time in the grand scheme. Good luck!

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Pre-reqs, a 4 hour drive and work? Either you pack a sleeping bag or rent a room! That's taking on a whole lot! I know my schools offers a cheap apartment for those in the nursing/rad/ultrasound programs, maybe contact the schools??

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The school here in town has a LPN to RN bridge so I could just to a year LPN program at two of the three schools that are two hours away. Then work a year as an LPN and do the bridge here. The ADN programs are only during the 'school year' so even though they are two years long they have the summers off. I would definitely use my time in the car listening to lectures on tape.

If I were to plan on moving for school I would apply to a bunch of other schools too! However I am renting a giant house with a backyard for a GREAT deal, like less than what I rented my last apartment for. So I really want to stay in my location for a while. I suppose I need to prioritize if living somewhere I like is more important than starting school as soon as possible...

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Oh I have all my prereqs done for BSN programs but am going to go to a community college because of the fee waivers...

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How is your GPA? Can you get scholarships at the private schools? I go to a private school that is 30K a year but they gave me enough scholarship to make it the same price at the community college and it is a BSN, not an ADN.

I would talk to those schools also. Two hours doesn't sound bad now, but it will be hell later. I commute 30 minutes and that is only tolerable.

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BTW, private schools usually have more funds for scholarship than state schools.

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I would do the community college. You can finish all of your prereqs while you are on the waiting list, and just enjoy life for awhile. Go part time and get those beginning classes out of the way.

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How is your GPA? Can you get scholarships at the private schools? I go to a private school that is 30K a year but they gave me enough scholarship to make it the same price at the community college and it is a BSN, not an ADN.

I would talk to those schools also. Two hours doesn't sound bad now, but it will be hell later. I commute 30 minutes and that is only tolerable.

I have a 4.0 in prereqs but only a 3.75 overall GPA:( I just became a CNA and am hoping to get a job asap! I will call the University and see if they have any scholarships specific for nursing students!

The more I think about it the less I want to commute that far, even if it is just for a year!

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