LPN wannabe in WV

[crorma]

hi all! i am in desperate need of some advice. i am a recently new registered medical assistant (graduated may 07`) i am very interested in becoming an LPN then considering RN as well. i get nervous easily and i know if i started to struggle then i would get stressed. i have a wonderful husband of 5 years and no children yet. my husband is a wonderful support system. the other thing is paying for the class and books etc. Where can i go to get financial aid? i live in West Virginia. I am currently working for a gynecological oncologist and i love it. but recently i've found myself kind of lost because i know that becoming a Medical Assistant was the best career choice i could have made for myself but now i want to take it further. when i got accepted into MA school my parents gave me a loan and i payed it back. but MA school where i live is a lil cheaper then LPN school. any advice anyone can give me on talking to my parents and tips on how to get in. or basically any advice on this subject would be greatly appreciated. i know i would not be able to work days so i would be working nights. does working along with taking this program wear a person down? should i tell my husband that i would work weekends while i take the course (granted that i get in)?

PLEASE HELP AND FEEL FREE TO GIVE ME YOUR

[sunray12]

Hello:

1) Financial aid. Did you fill out your fafsa yet? If not that's where you need to start. It's online and takes just a few minutes. The school financial aid office does the rest. Some schools have additional paperwork you have to fill out and other's don't. You can ask about this when you apply but basically it all starts with the fafsa. The school will let you know about what loans and grants and scholarships you qualify for.

2) Working while going to school. It depends on the kind of job you have, your time management skills, the nature of your nursing program, etc. If you have a job where you get regular downtime and can squeeze in study and/or homework time at work then you may be able to manage to do both. I don't have that kind of job so I will be leaving when I start nursing school. After my first semester I plan to work pt as a cna/tech till I graduate. I think if you have to work then you should cut back to part time for a while until you get used to the nursing school routine then take things from there.

3) How to get in. Look at your local community colleges first. If those don't work for you then widen your search to everything in your area for as far as your willing to go. I go to my state board of nursing website and there you'll find lists of all the approved programs in your state. Also ask people in your community. Since you're working in health care now you're probably dealing with other health care professionals everyday - ask them for tips and referrals.

Good luck.

[crorma]

thanks for the info sunray. i actually talked to my parents over the weekend and they're giving me their blessing and their support. shoot they've even offered to give me the money for it.