I Really Want To Be A Nurse

suzanne4, RN · Jan 7, 2004

IF you do not have a BS degree already, there are many types of grants available. Check out the financial aid department of your school. Have you applied and been accepted into a program already?

TLC RN · Jan 7, 2004

Did you file your application here? This is the first step to getting loans, scholarships and grants.

http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/

live4today, RN · Jan 7, 2004

gee thanks, tooty, for that scholarship link! i've added it to my list of favorites to check out as i need some scholarship funding to return to school. :kiss

caramel_goddess....welcome to the allnurse.com family!!! it's always good to "cyber-see" new members here, and wish them well in whatever endeavors they are pursuing!

as i was reading your comments, one thought came to mind and i want to simply pose that thought to you. you say you are single without a support system. not anymore....you now have a bazillion allnurse.com siblings....some of us you'll embrace with love, and some you'll want to strangle the shick out of at times...that's just how "real families" are anyway.

my thought to you is this: ask yourself where will you be "debt wise" one year...two years...five years from now. ask yourself where you will be income-wise in that same time frame. ask yourself if you like being where you are now, or how bad do you really want a change for the better. once pondering those questions, and jotting down the first thoughts that come to you...then ask yourself this: how can i not do what i know i must do to reach my goals in life?

the fact that you are "single" is a good thing for one who desires to pursue an education. many of us have struggled through school with husbands, kids, and some with jobs to keep up just to become nurses. you are blessed to not have "excess baggage" to contend with as you contemplate pursuing your goals. :)

struggle....make bookoo sacrifices....give up something to obtain something more....work weekend jobs only...two or three if you must....and make your goals happen for you. then, once you've obtained what you strongly desire, you'll look back on how you got there, and be able to tell someone else in your current situation...whatever one desires, they can obtain...or die trying if they are that passionate about it.

now how can we...your new support system...help you through that process? :idea:

purplemania, BSN, RN · Jan 7, 2004

I would also consider applying for work at a hospital, depending on what you are qualified for, of course. This may offer flexible hours (they are certainly open 24/7) and tuition reimbursement or other benefits. Find out what it takes to get a CNA certificate. You would learn TONS about nursing in that role. CNA's are extremely important to nursing.

live4today, RN · Jan 7, 2004

Good suggestions purplemania! :) Being a CNA would allot her the type of schedule to do those clinicals during the day, especially since she's already in school doing her prereqs. Good thinking there! :)

Shotzie · Jan 7, 2004

You go girl!

Be a nurse, for all the bad things you will read here I can tell you that there are a whole lot of us who are vry happy with what we do. I've done all kinds of things from ICU/ER to transplant coordinator to reasearch and I even worked as a nurse recruiter. I loved it all.

Nursing is the only job that allows you to constantly try new things. If you get bored or burned out in one area you can go do something 180 degrees different and not have to go back to schoool to get another degree.

I went to school on grants. I paid very little out of my pocket. My husband and I were both in school on the east coast and we were working part time & weekend jobs so we qualified for financial aid. If your income is too high now to qualify you may have to take a year to adjust to a "students life" . You know, where you work 40 hours and take pre nursing courses all at the same time. Pay ahead on your bills whatever you can while you have some extra money. Two or three years of planning and sacrifice will equal a lifetime of a valuable career

SirJohnny · Jan 7, 2004

caramel_goddess:

- Best advice would be to go to Community College in your area and knock out your pre-requisites. Make sure the nursing program you are trying to get into will accept the credits. Better yet, maybe the Community College will have a nursing program.

- That being said. Remember, most nursing programs are getting pretty competetive to get into. So you may HAVE to get your pre-reqs out of the way before being accepted. Many programs assign points based on pre-reqs and grade received. In addition, may also require a nurse entrance exam of which there are several versions (easy/hard).

- So, talk to the various nursing programs. Talk to your local colleges. I recommend the community college, as they are a heck of a lot less expensive than most universities or 4 yr colleges.

- You only need a 2 yr ASN degree to become an RN. No pay increase if you get 4yr BSN. So get your ASN then become RN and then work and then go back for BSN (if you want to advance your career).

- Taking pre-reqs will not only lessen your overall nursing school burden. But will also give you time to hone your study skills and time management skills.

- A side note: Most community colleges offer evening-night programs for the pre-reqs. Unfortunately, clinicals are usually offered only days and take up the entire day (6 to 8 hours).

- I did find a program in Syracuse, NY that runs a weekend-only nursing school You do clinicals every-other weekend for 2 yrs. Can take time off between semesters if you need to.

- I live in Evansville, Indiana, work full-time, and will be flying every other weekend to Syracuse, NY for classes. Student airfares run around $200-$250 round-trip. Rental car $100 for weekend and $200 for hotel. I figure about $1000 a month for travel/lodging expenses.

- Crazy? Yepper!!! But, I have a dream -- and I gotta do it.

- Gotta run,

John Coxey

Evansville (where the hell's that :) ), Indiana

caramel_goddess · Jan 9, 2004

Thank you for the link, it will be very useful.:)

caramel_goddess · Jan 9, 2004

From all the post I have gotten some great ideas going about how to make this thing work. I know there will be a lot of sacrifice but I really want to do it. Thanks again guys especially cheerfuldoer for welcoming me to the club! :roll

live4today, RN · Jan 10, 2004

My pleasure! :kiss Good luck to you, and keep us posted! :nurse:

RN Zeke · Jan 13, 2004

Hi John, I am a native of Ky. and visited there for the holidays, returning yesterday. Would you share the schools name in Syracuse, the cost of the school, how hard it is to get in and what your opion is of the school? Is there a web site for the college?I am on hold waiting to get in a nursing school after completion of my pre-nursing classes. Thanks for information. Cay