If I knew what I know now I would have...

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Hello!

I am new to this site and I wanted to get some advice. I'm starting basic prereq's at my local college to get the ball rolling on my long term goal of getting my BSN (human anatomy and chemistry both labs). I am a single mom to a 9 year old son. I have moved home with her parents to attend school. I qualify for the Pell Grant which makes the community college practically free. I do not have great credit and know that I will not have the option of a co-signer for loans when the time comes. With that being said, does anyone relate to my situation of being a single parent and or not having a cosigner for school? What are you doing or wished that you did looking back at your situation at hand? I'm having a difficult time choosing what route is best for me. I was wanting to do the Chamberlain 3 year BSN program but that costs 85K. I can do my basic first year courses at the CC and then apply but that still is 60k. I then was thinking about Ambria or this other Northbrook College of Health Care. Both offer a LPN program and Ambria offers an LPN bridge to an RN program. Though these are longer routes, I figured I would be able to work as a massage therapist on nights and weekends while in the 10 month program as an LPN and then get a job that will pay for or help pay for the RN or online RN-BSN. My classes at the community college start in two weeks and I am not sure what I should do. I think there are so many different options and such little experience in this field that I don't know what is the right choice! Please help!! Thank you so much!!

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I am currently a LPN and I am in the 4 th semester of the mobility program set to grad in August 2013 .

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I am currently a LPN and I am in the 4 th semester of the mobility program set to grad in August 2013 .

I did this because I have small children and it worked out perfect. It took me one year to finish LPN school and now I am able to work and finish out my degree. I also think this was better for me because it helped to prepare me more for the RN program. Good luck to you!

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does your community college not have a nursing program?

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Sali220- Yes, my CC has an ADN program, but I heard it's nearly impossible to get in unless you score very high on the NLN. Each qualifying term (two times a year) you need to reapply if you don't get in. Each applying term has a new set bar on what is a good enough NLN score to get in. If I score a 93% overall it doesn't garantee a placement because someone else could have scored a 95% filling up the limited seats before trickling down to my grade. Make sense? With have a child and moving back with my parents, I need to get the education rolling rather than wait and pray I make it into the cheaper program. I'm considering calling the local hospitals and finding out what schools they hire from besides the CC grads.

Mazycrystal13- What is a mobility program? I am in the same boat as wanting/needing to work and still go to school. I figured if I finished an LPN program I could do my RN online or do the bridge program at a certain school. I just am scared that employers won't consider me to others since my school that does the LPN and LPN - RN hasn't been around as long as the CC and I will get over looked for hire.

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Mobility is LPN to RN. Some call it a bridge program.

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Do you live in Illinois?

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Nevermind, I saw that you mentioned Northbrook. What community college were you referring to? Harper? Most of the community colleges in the Northern suburbs appear to have difficult admissions processes, but surprisingly many people give up before they even apply. You should take the NLN, see what happens, and apply anyway. Get the NLN study guide, the red book, and you'll be fine. The NLN isn't that difficult as long as you prepare yourself. Good luck :laugh:

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