Money for Single Mom to Become an RN????

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Hi everyone. I am unemployed and a single Mom at 44 and now want to fulfill my dream of being an RN. The problem is that I can't go almost 3 years to scholl full time and not work financially, and I can't go at night due to no family here to help with childcare. Do any of you know of financial help that would not only pay for school but extra to live on while I go full time? Thanks! I'm in TN....Suz

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Specializes in Education, Acute, Med/Surg, Tele, etc.

I too was a single mom...and what I did took a long time...

I applied for state grants...after three years got it! Single mothers have an advantage on that now still...go to your local colleges and find out how to apply and start applying!

It is a paper chase...but worth it!

AND as a single mother..please think very HARD about this career choice. It takes time..clinicals, late nights studying, stress..and barely time to take a bath let alone lule a child to sleep....and once you do complete...what then...fighting for a decent hour, and believe me stress!

I was lucky..I had my parent and my now husband helping me..and I barely made it! I don't want to scare you...but remember your FIRST responsibilty..that little sweet darling that calls you mommy! That is more important than anything this Earth has....

Find the grants, find support...and go for it. But always remember who comes first in your life now...and make sure you put that into serious perspective...it makes a huge difference...trust me...I missed 4 years of my sons life tending strangers...I should have been with him..and that is time I will never ever get back!

But then again..the look he gives me when he says "my mommy is a nurse"...well...bittersweet

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I am taking out a second mortgage and possibly student loans to be able to do this. My children are 15 & 12 and I did not want to work and go to school part time because they are at an age where they need the most guidence. I am married but dad just doesn't pick up on things like mom does (didn't mean to offend any dads out there, just my personal situation). It's going to take about 3 years after I start working to pay it all back but it will be worth it to have my degree and still be there for my kids :)

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RN in 3 years - do you mind if I ask how much scholl will cost if I were to borrow for 3 years?

Thanks! Suz

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Sent you a PM :wink2:

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RN in 3 years - do you mind if I ask how much scholl will cost if I were to borrow for 3 years?

Thanks! Suz

I am also curious if anyone is willing to admit this. I plan on taking out a student loan to cover the cost of childcare so I won't have to worry about finances while I am in school. I have never paid for child care so, I am going in blind. Anybody willing to fess up to how much I will really need? :uhoh3: Thanks,

Suzi

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I am also curious if anyone is willing to admit this. I plan on taking out a student loan to cover the cost of childcare so I won't have to worry about finances while I am in school. I have never paid for child care so, I am going in blind. Anybody willing to fess up to how much I will really need? :uhoh3: Thanks,

Suzi

It's really hard to say how much you will need...It depends on how many kids you have and what their ages are. For example, when my son was an infant he went to childcare for 2 days a week but I had to pay the weekly fee of 125.00 because with infants you are actually "renting" the crib since they cannot be shared. After he was a year old I could pay per day. Here in AZ the average daily rate is around 35.00/day. Also, you may want to check to see if your school offers childcare. My school does and I enrolled my son this past summer while I took classes. It was ony 35.00/wk and it was run much better than any of the other childcare centers he went to. The staff consisted of childhood education majors and they were really interested in interacting with and teaching the kids.....

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If you work parttime in a large hospital they will probably have a daycare service for free or greatly reduced prices. That way you could work now and save up money for school. The cost of school is going to depend on what type of school. If you work at a hospital you will probably find that they have a scholarship for employees to attend nursing school in exchange for a work contract postgraduation (usually 2-4 years.) But you would have to work there while in school to be eligible. That might be good in your situation because it will mean you don't have to pay for classes and your earnings can go towards childcare and living expenses. It would also give you experience in the medical field and help you decide if this is really the career for you. If you are not willing to work at all, it will be difficult to find enough money to just be handed to you.

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I am a mom of 2 I am married and have a mom who lives about 1/2 hour away. I work friday and saturday nites 12 hours each, I am a CNA at a local LTC facility and they are maying for my schooling. I am taking classes while my kids are in school and I have another 10/wk job. I do get to eat dinner every nite with my family and pick them up after school 4 days a week. It is hard but I am doing it so far.

Good Luck

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