I am having problems at home (I still live with my parents just turned 24; changed my major a few times) and finishing my pre-reqs to get into Nursing school is just going to take too long, and I just don't have the support I need to still live here a few more years. I need to get out of the situation I am in now. So, I am contemplating going into an LPN program (no pre reqs necessary) that is at a trade school in my city. It is 11 months long, and will not take as long as nursing school combined with finishing the pre-reqs. this will be my ticket out of this house much sooner..and at least i can gain independence and go back and do RN at another point in my life
although, I am having troubles with my parents, I am still grateful that they still put up with me and are willing to support me as long as they have. But I am scared because the LPN program is 8-5am everyday, and I don't know how I am going to do this. I am used to having a bit of money in my pocket, and I won't be able to have ANY if I am in the LPN program. I already knew what the hours would be but right now it's staring me right in my face..can anyone give me advice? any lpn/rns tell me what nursing school was like for them and how they got by??
Can someone also go into detail about how difficult it is??
You need to find out what prereqs you've already taken that are included in this LPN program. You say there aren't any prereqs, but there are! If you've gotten some out of the way, it should help. I can just imagine it will be very difficult. I started to go into a 12 month LPN program, which had prepreqs included into that 8-5 monday -friday. They told me to forget my family because I would be studying too much to see them. I finally decided to go part time and get my RN. It worked out best for me.
But going to a school that isn't accredited, you may be sorry. You'll end up having to take the prereqs again. You also need to consider the fact that a lot of hospitals (in our area anyway) are no longer hiring LVNs. The starting pay for LVNs may not be what you need to "make it" on your own. You may have to just get a job waitressing or something and Go for the RN! Just do your research!:typing
You need to find out what prereqs you've already taken that are included in this LPN program. You say there aren't any prereqs, but there are!
Actually there are a number of RN and LPN schools out there that do not require pre-req's. I go to one of them. What the school does is have all students take all the so-called pre-req classes along with their nursing classes. I'm assuming this is how the OP's LPN program is structured.
I already have my CNA certification and jobs in Michigan are all dried out. I don't have any friends who are willing to be roommates with me. All I have is myself. I think I will just go on to LPN school and finish while I am still young..no need in prolonging things
I agree, no need to prolong things. My advice was based on the possibility that you were looking at the LPN program mainly because it seemed like the clearest way to qualify for a job where you could afford to move out on your own. My concern in that case would be if you went through the rigors of school under the stress of living with your parents and then graduated to find that nursing isn't what you thought it would be and still feeling stuck. If you definitely want to be a nurse, though, go for it! If you want it, you can make it happen one way or another.
And just FYI, if you're not too shy and have a good sense of people, you can find decent roommates through newspapers, roommate websites, college housing office etc. I know a lot of people wouldn't be comfortable with that option but if living at home weren't an option, that's one way to keep living costs low.
No one can tell you for sure how difficult nursing school will be for you or if you'd be able to handle working. In general, nursing is a time consuming program of study with LOTS of reading outside of class and LOTS of prep time for clinical and writing nursing care plans. Working part-time in a regular program is do-able for many, but for some, they do better being able to focus only on school. Working full-time and studying full-time may be doable for some as well, but for many it would be too much to do well in school.
Thank you all for the advice. I just might go thorugh with it. I have no children and the only responsibility I have right now is me. Also, how do I find out if this school is accredited?
Working while in an LPN program is do able. But it only works when you can organize your work and school time and work in time to sleep and study. Otherwise you are not doing yourself justice. A point to make is that being it is a 11month program it is being condenced and would be considered an excelerated program. SO you may need to ask yourself can you pick up difficult material fast and retain the information while trying to have a job. Good Luck with what ever you choose, just dont rush into any answer take everyones opinion into consideration then step back from the computer and ask yourself what would work best for you and your situation. Because everyone is different!!
Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.
The subject matter will be more detailed, and the 'whys' of things you've already done such as abnormal vital signs will be introduced, the reasons for patient care, pharmacology, disease process, diagnostic tests, treatments, nursing interventions, nursing diagnoses and care plans are explained. Independent study, where they will give you chapters to read, labs to practice skills, return demonstrations, clinicals, pop quizzes, exams, papers to do, group projects, a whole host of things will occur. It will not be a walk in the park, but if you are determined, you will ensure that you will pass.
I remember reading some of the challenges you experiences as a CNA in the past. Nursing will give even more. You will begin to see why some nurses are the way that they are. You may even begin to see that some of the stern nurses are the best patient advocates, most compassionate and knowledgable nurses and are willing to help those that really want to learn. You will also meet many that are not worth the licenses they carry and make life difficult for themselves, their collagues and patients. You'll see unsafe care being rendered to patients, the impact of how CNAs can make or break your day, and it will make you see things differently. I know nursing matured me a great deal.
If you really want this, you have to go out there with both feet in the mud and make it happen. A nursing license is never just presented to a person-it is earned.
I say go for it. Don't be scared....You will have to make sacrifices in the meantime but it will be worth it in the long run. Just living with your parents is a huge plus. I wish I would have taken advantage of that situation when I had it...... things will only get harder later down the road. BTDT Also picture yourself down the road possibly married with kids. At that moment will you want to be a CNA or a nurse?
As far as how hard it is or what it is like. I just started a couple of weeks ago so I am sure it will get harder as time goes on, but right now it is a ton of reading and remembering terminology.
This board is perfect for checking to see how everyone is handling things and for support. You can do it!!!
To ms nurse assistant Sweetie anything in life that will benefit you in the long run is hard,I just started my LPN program yesterday and I am ulready stressed:(The workload is ridiclous and I mean ridiculous. The books are big and heavy like 20 textbooks that all have to be used soooooooooo much reading, written assisgments, tests like everyday, then I just found out we have a class every other saturday, when I just got a reallygood job offer in a hospital as a pharmacy tech with working alternate saturdays and I have a 4 year old daughter to take care of so I have to work I have no choice, but the way I look at it is life will work it self out you have to do what you feel is right and it will work out don't stress your self out because that license in the end will be well worth it so that should be your motivation to keep going there are gonna be obstacles but you try your best to jump over them cause that is what I am doing, In addition to hard work, clinicals, and studying just focus and prayrelax for right now settle in school, then find a job to work around your school schedule it is possible but don't forget you will need the study time though
I am preparing to start LVN school in August, and I've been a CNA for 10 years now....ugh! I am married and have a son whom I home school, and I work full time hours! I intend to continue to do all of this... My secret? I am doing private duty home health care! Check around thru home healthcare agencies in your area (look up in the phone book) or in the classified ads in your local paper. Many positions are more for companionship or just so that somebody is with the person overnight to assit them. I lucked out-- I'll be able to jam 40 hours a week and sleep in the guest room at night, and am planning on buying a laptop to take with for late-night studying. Its certainly something to consider for yourself!
I worked full time as a CNA at night while in nursing school. It wasn't easy but it can be done if you commit to your goal, organize yourself, and stay organized, and be very careful about your health. You've been given several good tips, such as renting a room or sharing a place with room mates. As long as you have kitchen privileges, you don't need to pay a lot of money for an entire apartment. Use public transportation if possible. Even consider starting out small by paying reduced rent to your parents until you can save some money. Your parents will appreciate it if you pay rent. SweetErica is doing it right. I know of at least three people who stayed in rooms at the homes of elderly people, went to school and were paid to watch over them (be wakeful) at night. Additionally, at least one of these people got references for nursing school from the people she took care of. Hope you find some good ideas that you can use to help you create some opportunities for yourself. One thing in your favor is that you are open minded about your situation and willing to look into ways to work yourself into a better way of life. Good luck. You can make it once you start making plans and acting on them.
i feel ya. i'm 24, have a kid and i really need to get away from my parents, too. don't be scared because although it might be a lot, it's only 11(?) months and time goes by fast. i'm currently attending an lvn school taking the 18 month course and it's flying by. i graduate in september and i'm so excited to be so close to independance. choosing a stable career is so much better than working at a dead end job if you really want to get away. i say, just bare with it because it'll be worth it in the end. good luck.
you sound as though you have hit the proverbial fork in the road. whether you are at your parents house or living on your own, life is never easy. i am about to graduate nursing school as an lpn. it was the best decision i have made. it was in no way easy. just because the the letters are "lpn" instead of "rn, bsn, phd, etc." does mean it is easy. the only thing in life that is easy, is fooling yourself into thinking that life should be easy! i have had to struggle in balancing my career, my family, and my classes! has it all been worth it, hell yeah. i have sacrificed so much and soon it will all be over and i will have given all of us a better life. most importantly, i did this for me. this was my dream. you have to decide which is best for you. one should never consider nursing unless they have a heartfelt desire for it. a fall back plan in nursing is never a good decision. if you need out of your current situation at home, find the cheapest place to live and start yourself a new life. if you still don't know where you are going in life, maybe you should just stay put. ps which part scares you the most? best wishes. :heartbeat
RedhairedNurse, BSN, RN
1,060 Posts
You need to find out what prereqs you've already taken that are included in this LPN program. You say there aren't any prereqs, but there are! If you've gotten some out of the way, it should help. I can just imagine it will be very difficult. I started to go into a 12 month LPN program, which had prepreqs included into that 8-5 monday -friday. They told me to forget my family because I would be studying too much to see them. I finally decided to go part time and get my RN. It worked out best for me.
But going to a school that isn't accredited, you may be sorry. You'll end up having to take the prereqs again. You also need to consider the fact that a lot of hospitals (in our area anyway) are no longer hiring LVNs. The starting pay for LVNs may not be what you need to "make it" on your own. You may have to just get a job waitressing or something and Go for the RN! Just do your research!:typing