Need help to begin!!!

Ted · Aug 31, 2003

First off, I want to welcome you to "Allnurses.com" :)

Secondly, glad to read that you're considering nursing as your career!

Don't count of going right into college for your RN yet! Because you already have two associates degrees, you'll probably be able to transfer over a lot of your credits into an RN degree. At the very least, you'll need A & P 1 and 2, Microbiology, and possibly some kind of chemistry course towards an Associates Degree in Nursing. This is on top of the nursing courses. BUT, hopefully most of your other courses that you've already taken will be transferable.

As you probably know, there's huge nursing shortage. Because of this, many hospitals offer all sorts of work to RN deals (provided that you'll work for them for so many years). It might be worth your while to see what kind of packages hospital have to offer if you applied for some kind of healthcare position in a hospital which has this kind of program. I know that at one point my small hospital payed 100% tuition for someone working towards their RN while they worked so many hours/week as a nursing assistant.

Hopefully there be more people here who can provide more detailed information and other suggestions. Just keep your options open. And take what works best for you!

Good luck! And, again. . . welcome! :)

Ted

Gldngrl · Sep 2, 2003

I"m not sure if things have changed in Ma. (I moved away in 99), but when I lived there, the only places I could work as an LPN were in LTC facilities. Better off going for the RN, you might want to check and see if you can get credit for classes taken previously so that will help you attain your degree faster.

MMB

happystudent, RN · Sep 4, 2003

Hi there!

I am in nursing school right now and I have 3 kids not including the hubby....Anyway, your best bet is to apply for financial aid. I Know you will be able to receive alot of $ thru state grants and such. The tuition that is not covered by grants you can apply for a stafford loan with minimal interest. Being that you are a single mom with three children, you are definately eligible for $. Good luck! You will figure it out. If u need help or have ?S..PM me;)

Mint Julip · Sep 6, 2003

LPNs are not limited to LTC anymore. I work in a hospital.

Thinkinnursing, the BON has a list of board approved RN and PN nursing programs on their website.

http://www.state.ma.us/reg/boards/rn/rnnecpro.htm

Hardknox · Sep 6, 2003

YOu could also take a CNA course---check out the Hospital sites in your area because some have their own courses--and then get tuition reimbursement from the hospital.

zydis · Sep 10, 2003

i suggest that you explore the many financial incentives for nurses right now. There is alot of federal aid as well as other grant programs due to the nursing shortage. many hospitals have programs that pay for your nursing tuition now. Check out MNA and other sites that can give you information. Some schools have scholarships as well and tuition remission programs. if you want to be an RN, go for it! i would not start out as an LPN if an RN is your goal. The AD programs are only two years. Good Luck!

lpnbhw · Oct 12, 2003

You can do it if you really want to. I myself had at the time 3 kids , o job , and barely makeing ends meet. since your single, you should by all means get some good grant money, transportation money, child care money. besides going with your school for financial aid, you could also check out johnson & johnson comp. i havent myself yet but, i hear they got tons of grants for almost anything. good luck, my prayers are with you and your family0:)

muffylpn · Oct 24, 2003

Hi,

I'm an LPN. Most programs believe it or not take the same

amt. of time. That is it takes the same amt. of time to be a RN

as it does to become an LPN and then go on to be an RN. Where

I live it takes 9 months and 1 week to get your LPN then as

an LPN you take a 6week summer course which covers RN

nursing 1+2; then you enter the progam in the 3rd nursing

section and only have part 4 left to do. Both ways it takes 2

years. The nice thing is that while you are an LPN you can

be practicing what you know and learn and making more money

than say your fellow students who may be CNAs. If your an LPN

almost anyplace ( nursing home or hospital) will pay for you to

continue your education.

BaystateRN · Oct 28, 2003

It will take a lot of determination to get through a nursing program if you are a single mom and working. I did it. I don't know how many hospitals in Mass are hiring LPN's. The girls at are hospital are grandfathered in.

I don't want to discourage you, it will just take a lot of time and determination. Also, you may want to look into the evening programs, I know there are some around. You should be eligible for financial aide. Good luck.