Lpn

Mudwoman · Dec 25, 2007

If you really dream of being a nurse, then you have to ask yourself what you are willing to do to sacrifice to get it.

You could cut your life style and living expenses and work extra and save enough money that you could live for a year while pursuing your LPN/LVN license and not have to work or just work part time. Then once licensed, you could do Excelsior for your RN

You could start taking general education classes on a part time basis while you continue to work full time. By the time you get these done and can apply for an RN program, you situation may have changed so that you can go to school full time without working full time.

One of the girls in my nursing class found an old mobile home for $2K. Paid cash for it and found a cheap lot at $175 mo. Drove a paid for older car. Worked as much overtime as she could to save up money. By the time she entered nursing school, she was able to live on about $750 month and had plenty of money in the bank to cover expenses and then some. Another girl had moved into a bedroom in someones house at a cheap rate with all bills paid and again drove an older paid for car. Personnaly, I went to school part time for 3 years while I worked full time to get the basics, then lived on credit cards for the year I was in LVN school. I ate lots of beans and cornbread and oatmeal, didn't run the a/c in the summer, and the few clothes I bought came from second hand stores.

If you want it bad enough, figure out how to go get it.

Editorial Team / Moderator · Dec 25, 2007

I went to school full-time AND worked full-time at a demanding day job to become a paramedic; from there, I was able to do Excelsior. It was a tough two years, but worth it. Some of my classes were during the day, but I made arrangements with my job to leave in the middle of the day and just work later on those days. I wanted it badly enough to sacrifice all my free time (and lots of my sleep).

EricJRN, MSN, RN · Dec 25, 2007

Lunah brings up a good point. While it may take you longer to pursue EMS, that is an option to definitely consider if you were ultimately looking toward an Excelsior RN. Many EMS programs are expanding their non-traditional offerings like weekend classes, night classes and distance learning. Most of the students in those programs have full-time jobs as well.

Editorial Team / Moderator · Dec 25, 2007

The funny thing is that I didn't become a medic so that I could do Excelsior; I had no idea that I'd get bitten by the nursing bug as well. So it all worked out!

R0xyg4l · Dec 31, 2007

It's hard when you have to work as well. I found a part time evening nursing program that worked out really well for me and my family. I went to school three days a week in the evenings 5-10 pm. I suggest looking at your state board website for ideas. Good luck!

akanini, MSN, RN · Jan 1, 2008

Sacrifice! I left my job to do this but I do not regret it. I have a supportive DH. However, there are many students who are working in the evening since my school is a full time day program. If you can do this, look for an evening program. If not sacrifice something and cut down on things.

dessyrell · Jan 1, 2008

Sacrifice! I left my job to do this but I do not regret it. I have a supportive DH. However, there are many students who are working in the evening since my school is a full time day program. If you can do this, look for an evening program. If not sacrifice something and cut down on things.

i worked part time as a CNA at a hospital (you don't have to be licensed to be hired as an aid by a hospital, though...), 3p-7p, then every weekend 7a-7p. there was another girl in my class who worked at a hospital, too, but she was working nights...every weekend. another girl was working for an agency, so she'd only work when she wanted to. i would try to get a job at a hospital, as an aid or secretary/transporter, whatever...then let them know you're going to school and most of them will help you with the schedule...one thing though, money IS going to be less that what you're getting now...