My "crazy" plan....ANY thoughts are appreciated!

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Specializes in Nursing Assistant/ Army Medic, LVN.

Alright, here's the deal:

I'm currently working at a job I don't like. I'm working toward my CNA (pre-req here), and would like to earn my ADN before I quit my job, but I'm not sure if I will be able to schedule my schooling around work. Unless working full time 2nd shift and going to nursing school is feasible??(The place I work at could care less about my problems, but they pay well.)

So I'm thinkin'......I need to work here for 2 more years to get all my debt caught up, so I'll get all of my pre-reqs out of the way, maybe get LPN if I can (?) while I 'wait'.

Once the debt is caught up, I tell this place to shove it (nicely :) ), and move from WI to Texas. I buy a trailer or something similar to live in, so the majority of my living expenses are taken care of in one shot. (With no rent, a part time job will be enough to pay the bills.)

I'll either find related work while I finish my ADN, or I'll just work part time anyplace I can find. (I already have the cash for that degree). Once I get the ADN, I should be able to find nursing work while I persue my BSN full time. (I hope!)

Then hopefully on to an Anesthesia program, but I'll worry about those details later. (I'm hoping for TX - that trailer would come in handy there, too!!)

Whattaya think??..........Oh, and I was thinking about relocating to the Houston area (but that's just a thought - I just know there are hospitals there - that's about it)......I have a newer car, so I will be able to commute a bit if necessary.......................Any thoughts??????

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Specializes in Public Health, DEI.

How much money do you have saved for your degree? Maybe it would be worthwhile to consider using it to pay your debt down and finance your degree with low interest loans. It all depends on how much debt you have and the interest rate at which its financed, I guess. There have been people on this forum that have said they worked full time whilst pursuing their LPN or ADN, but it will be tough.

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Specializes in Nursing Assistant/ Army Medic, LVN.

Thanks for the idea. I considered doing that, but I think that puts me in a weird spot later. (Kinda hard to explain, I guess).

Anyway, payin' the rent is always a pain, so I figure getting rid of that (living in a trailer) would help A LOT. A few years ago, I bought a 24' motorhome to live in for a while....LOVED it!! (As did Phil the fat cat)

Staying at the job for another couple years will get me fully vested in my 401k/profit sharing plan, so I might as well stay for that.

I'm willing to go for the ADN while I'm working here full time, but I'm worried about clinicals (in particular) - Can't miss those, right? :chuckle . This place can (and will) jerk my schedule around as they please - often with very little notice.

I'd hate to loose my tuition because I had to work, or have to up and quit my job to make clinicals - neither one sounds like a good time!!

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Specializes in med/surg, ortho/neuro, ambulatory surg.
Thanks for the idea. I considered doing that, but I think that puts me in a weird spot later. (Kinda hard to explain, I guess).

Anyway, payin' the rent is always a pain, so I figure getting rid of that (living in a trailer) would help A LOT. A few years ago, I bought a 24' motorhome to live in for a while....LOVED it!! (As did Phil the fat cat)

Staying at the job for another couple years will get me fully vested in my 401k/profit sharing plan, so I might as well stay for that.

I'm willing to go for the ADN while I'm working here full time, but I'm worried about clinicals (in particular) - Can't miss those, right? :chuckle . This place can (and will) jerk my schedule around as they please - often with very little notice.

I'd hate to loose my tuition because I had to work, or have to up and quit my job to make clinicals - neither one sounds like a good time!!

I just finished my pre-reqs this summer (CNA is a pre req here too) and I am working full time with a 5 year old and a 1 year old its not easy but can be done!!! I got accepted into the ADN program and start in Aug. My job has set hours though and is easy to work with my schooling should I have a conflict. I guess what I am getting at is if you MUST work for this company for finiancial reasons it can be done, not easy but nothing ever is! Good Luck!

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Specializes in Nursing Assistant/ Army Medic, LVN.

Yeah, I'm not worried about doing both per se, I'm worried about having to choose one over the other - like on the spot, ya know?

I'm going to have to see what I can do, I'd rather get my ADN before I quit, but I'm afraid it may not be a possibility.

Less clinicals for LPN/LVN??....maybe that would be a better option?

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Specializes in Nursing Assistant/ Army Medic, LVN.

How do ya like the "living in a trailer" idea??

(I think I'm pretty clever) :chuckle

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Specializes in med/surg, ortho/neuro, ambulatory surg.
Yeah, I'm not worried about doing both per se, I'm worried about having to choose one over the other - like on the spot, ya know?

I'm going to have to see what I can do, I'd rather get my ADN before I quit, but I'm afraid it may not be a possibility.

Less clinicals for LPN/LVN??....maybe that would be a better option?

This is just my .02 but if you really want to get your RN I would go for it first. Where I go tto school you must have 6 months work experience to do the LPN-RN transition so do what ever is best for you!

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Specializes in Nursing Assistant/ Army Medic, LVN.

I think you are right about that - I'm probably better off going right for what I want. That makes sense.

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Yes, you need to go straight RN if that is your final goal. Take it from me, LVN for 6 years and not back in school yet :crying2: :nurse:

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Specializes in Emergency/Trauma/Education.

About this trailer idea...

Are you going to buy the land to put the trailer on? Or are you going to perpetually "camp" in the Wal-Mart parking lot?

Or are you really meaning "a van down by the river"?? :)

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I lived in my car for a while during school. A trailer would have been a step up. :chuckle

If your a CNA you can always get a part time tech job to help out and some hopsital to help pay tuition.

You have a plan. That puts you a step above lots of folks!!! :p

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Specializes in Nursing Assistant/ Army Medic, LVN.
Yes, you need to go straight RN if that is your final goal. Take it from me, LVN for 6 years and not back in school yet :crying2: :nurse:

Right on. That's what I'll do - straight for the RN. ............I hope you can get back to school soon........it seems that you want to go. Good Luck!! :)

About this trailer idea...

Are you going to buy the land to put the trailer on? Or are you going to perpetually "camp" in the Wal-Mart parking lot?

Or are you really meaning "a van down by the river"??

At first, I was considering camping. Now I am starting to think that picking up a small piece of land may not be a bad idea. In looking at mobile home park fees online, it appears as though a small land loan may be my best bet in the long run.

I'm not having a great deal of luck locating an affordable way to do this online, but maybe a trip to the area next year will help with that.

I lived in my car for a while during school. A trailer would have been a step up.

If your a CNA you can always get a part time tech job to help out and some hopsital to help pay tuition.

You have a plan. That puts you a step above lots of folks!!!

WOW!! I lived in my conversion van for a while, but that is WAY different than living in a car!!.....Good on ya for doin' what you had to and getting through it!!

I'll have to see how the next two years go. I'll either move with CNA or RN credentials - either way, the big picture is the same. (more or less)

Cheap livin' (trailer) in an area with alot of schools, hospitals, and 2 anesthesia programs. (Among plenty of other things - I think my options will be greater there than they are here, whether I ultimately decide to pursue anesthesia or not).

Thanks to everyone for the encouragement. Any flaws you see in the plan are also welcome, but the positive stuff sure is nice to read. :)

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