I'm going to try to make this as short and clear as possible. I have a complex situation and can't decide what to do I have talked to so many and everyone gives me wonderful advice (even my boss!) but I figured I could get the best advice from people who have been to nursing school.
Here's my situation in a nutshell:
I work full time in a very well-known medical facility where it's practically IMPOSSIBLE to get hired at (lots of competition) and I have great benefits, pretty much any benefit you can think of! Tuition reimbursement, medical insurance, great hours, great pay, lots of connections, paid leaves. As an administrative assistant.
My goal has been R.N. school for the past 2 years. I already have a B.A., and completed ALL nursing pre-reqs other than physio.
Now my dilemma is that I am so close to being able to apply to nursing school, but I have serious credit card debt (approx $20K). And a huge car payment, so this pretty much means I cannot afford to quit my job just yet. I am estimating if I work full time for another 2 years, I can pay off everything (I JUST started working full time, I got promoted from part time last month), then afford to quit working and my parents and/or bf (possibly husband by then) will help me with living expenses.
Working in a clinic I have seen up front the huge demand for nurses at any level, be it R.N. or L.V.N. I work with many L.V.N.'s and where I work their pay is fairly good ($28/hr +), hours are AMAZING and they can definitely work OT/weekends if they want. So that has started to make me think... what if I try an LVN program first?
That's my dilemma. I'm so close to R.N... But the money issue really sets me back I wish I had been smarter in my first adult years! I'm hesitant to spend $20K on LVN if I'm going to do R.N. in the long run, but really that's not the biggest issue. I am very attracted to doing LVN first because my company will help pay part of the cost, ($2K a year), I can continue working here if I do an 18-mo part time program, and pretty much have a guaranteed job when I finish the program. What I don't like about this route is that I probably won't do RN school for maybe another 5 years I am 25 right now.
I dream about being a nurse. I want it more than anything. I work closely with doctors and nurses and I go to work everyday wishing I was in their place.
My two options are to start LVN, keep my job, get an LVN job when done, then keep saving for when I quit my job for RN school. When I get an LVN job I'll be part of the union and I'll have even more security of a guaranteed job when done. Second option is to just keep saving now until I can go straight into R.N. school. The difference will be I guess time, and less money spent if I don't go the LVN route.
I know this is soooo so complex and probably a pain to read this all... but I would really appreciate your help!!! I have no idea what to do. I wish someone could just decide for me!!! Thank you so much to those who took the time to read this!
I am also in a similar situation w/debt.. I have $17K in cc debt... total monthly for me to live is $1200. I just got accepted to RN school in Jan and I AM going! I can afford the minimums to keep my cc's at bay until Im done with school. I also have summers off from school so I am able to put a lil extra into the debt payment during those months. If I were to wipe my debt clean before I started school id be 3-4 years and I'm already 26...
I don't know anyone didn't work while in school. Personally I had both a full time and a part time job and went to school full time, it's really not all that hard
I hear EVERYONE say working is not recommended while going to RN school... I've been to a few info sessions and i don't see how i could keep a 9-5 job with clinicals and lecture. The LVN program however is designed for working students...
You don't work 9-5, you work nights. I worked full time overnight while going to school full time for my BSN-RN. Was I tired, yes. Was my schedule complex, yes. Did I have no social life, yes. But I will say that I have never had such good grades as I did then.
It sounds like you might be talking yourself into a corner - that or you have made up your mind and might be looking for some support. I would keep your options open - I think selling your car is a good one. It'll get you through the debt process a bit faster. Working through school is another. OR delaying all of this until later is another. But why put off to tomorrow what you can do today?
I am 1 year away from being an FNP and started out as an LVN. I got into an LVN-RN program and then an ADN-MSN program. It did take longer this way but I was able to work as an LVN (3-11) while going to school for my RN. Its not easy but it is doable.
I am with the gal that said get rid on your car. If you are up to date on your payments I believe you can turn it in to the lien holder as long as you are not "upside down" with the car. I did this before graduate school with GM and they did not ding my credit.
You can pick up reliable used cars for cheap now, that would save you money on your insurance too. Also there are lots of options for credit card debt consolidation out there. To solve you immediate financial problems while in school you can get a PELL grant and also get a student loan. If you get the maximum student loan your residual will be about $1300 per month. You do not have to pay this back until after you graduate, it is guaranteed (no matter what your credit status) and the interest is low and does not start accruing until after graduation.
I want to encourage you to follow your heart... :hug: I raised a family and had an entirely separate career before I decided to go back to school to become a nurse. What inspired me to make the career change was surviving cancer... I felt so driven. Ultimately, what makes you 'too old for change' is the individual's lack of desire to learn. I am 45 and feel like the same goof ball I've always been... I loved nursing school. It was hard, but SO worth it! I chose to get my LVN/LPN first because through the CCs around me, you end up with a lot more clinical time than those students who went straight for their RN...and that really interested me. I am now working as an LVN/LPN, and acquiring my BSN RN on-line (at my own pace) while my employer foots the bill. I'm really happy with my decision. Take a deep breath, start your schooling and see how everything falls into place... It'll be okay. Best wishes to you!!!
I will probably get flamed for this...but if the job you have is so great, why become a nurse? Nursing school is never easy...whether it is LPN or RN. I think I would think long and hard about this. And it will be a long time before you have enough experience as a nurse to work the clinic you are now working in. And starting out a marriage witrh such serious debt? A good idea? I'll let others speak to that. I guess times are much different now. Most college grads have student loan debt. The grass is always greener...just sayin'.
The perks and benefits are great... And I will have lots of opportunities if I become a nurse. But my current position is not where I want to be forever. I'm in a huge medical facility and my options are practically endless when it comes to positions... I see new LVN's getting hired all the time, but the key is that they get hired from within. The marriage thing isn't for sure. It most likely won't happen for that very reason.
Hey if you're in LA you can check out North Orange County ROP and Downey Adult School they both have LVN programs for under $10k. One is about $3k I think. Also doesn't Long Beach City College have an LVN program? If you are going to do LVN choose a school that is cheap. I've been thinking a lot about going to get my LVN first, Im in Orange County. However, in CA in general there aren't a lot of places hiring LVN's or ADN's. So, its a difficult decision. If you already had Physio done I would say apply to both LVN and RN programs and see what you get into.
Honestly, you have to follow your heart. I did LVN first, and now that I'm in a BSN program, my employer is footing some of the bill. Of course, that path isn't for everyone, but it's been the been the best for my family.
I think it really depends on what you feel is right for you. I am in a 2yr RN program at my community college in Texas. It is estimated to cost around $10,000 for the entire 2 yrs as they have estimated it in the Associate nursing admit packet. LVN, RN, and BSN are all nurses. You would still be achieving your dream. The question is what are your own expectations for yourself? I could have gone into a LVN program, but my personal expectation is I wanted at least a two year degree. Also, in my area many hospitals are no longer accepting LVNs. LVN's mainly work in homehealth or nursing homes. RNs in my area have difficulty getting jobs right out of nursing school, and internships are highly competitive. I completely agree that you may want to manage your debt first. Also, if you went through an LVN program and completed that first, you would be able to pay debt down faster while still working. I am in a 2 yr associates degree program (am in my 3rd semester), cut my hours to part-time (entire 1st year I did 36+hr/wk), I have 2 children (5 and 6 y/o now)+ husband. I am also taking pre-reqs towards my BSN while completing my associate's program. I do not have time for socializing with friends (only study groups), I do not watch tv, and I have to meticulously schedule my study time, family time, doctor appts, dentist appts, and work time while leaving ample time to sit in traffic for 30min-hr. It is not impossible to work full time and be in nursing school, but it is difficult with a family and small children. I will say that does put some strain on a marriage. Some couples have become divorced and others are on difficult terms with their partners after beginning nursing school. I am 26 now and 5 years ago I had started nursing school only to take time off after getting married and bed rest for difficulties in my pregnancy. All my classes expired that I had taken. So 5 years later I am working 2 jobs and we decide we need to cut expenses dramatically, and move back in with my parents so that I can afford to attend college. Decisions are not easy, but some are necessary. After those 5 years passed I said,...I should have stuck with it and I would have been done by now. In 2 years will you have cut your debt and actually started school? In 3 years will you still be saying you need to go back and follow your dream? There never seems to be a "right time" to do anything. We can plan things, but things very rarely go according to plan. Good luck in whatever decision you make. I sincerely hope everything works out for the best.
Even though my hourly rate is slightly higher as RN, I had way more opportunity for income as an LPN (working 2 jobs if I wanted and all the OT that I needed..In my area, there is an over saturation of RNs, so LPNs are in greater demand..I would also consider bankruptcy if you qualify, if this is part of the reason you are not going to school now...Even at nurse wages, the amount of credit card debt you have is alot...Wipe it clean while you can, cause once you start making nurse wages, you probably will not be able to file on it..Good luck:)
Most of my credit card debt is under my dad's name, with a card he let me borrow to consolidate my debts when I was about 21. So declaring bankruptcy would only clear me of very little... That's the main reason why it's not an option...
You said you want someone else to decide and tell you what you should do...so here goes
You are 25 years old, presumably healthy. Jobs in healthcare are not easy to get right out of school, but they are there. I say, since you already have a BA, you have a lot of the nursing pre-req's out of the way. Keep your fulltime job, go to community college and get the rest of your pre-reqs, all of them, even the ones you will need for your BSN. When you have done that and have established a 4.0 GPA, start applying to RN schools. If the LPN program is 18 months, you can almost have your RN and if you go to a state school, you won't be drowning in debt.
I know a lot of hospitals are requiring BSN's now, but if you can get your Associates quickly, then do it. You can plan to bridge immediately to a BSN program but can work as a nurse (hopefully) while you are completing your degree.
You may have to compromise and be flexible in your job if that is an option while you are in school, but you can work fulltime if you have to, many of us did. I got my BSN as a single mother of 2 while working fulltime as a nurse.
DO NOT go into debt for nursing school. The payoff is not worth it in this economy. Do it now before you get married and have obligations and children! It can be done but it makes it harder.
OK, I have decided for you, now the ball is in your court!
Hahaha thanks for deciding for me!
I think I am leaning towards the RN route first. Be it ADN or BSN (whichever I can get into). I am all for working while in school... I would just have to find some kind of night/weekend job.
Thanks for the advice! It's tempting to get into debt just so I can feel like I'm "getting somewhere"... The school I looked into for LVN says I can start NEXT WEEK! However thinking of putting another $20K under my name just makes my stomach turn...
This is a tough decision!!! But I'm really thinking it through!
I have talked to so many and everyone gives me wonderful advice (even my boss!) but I figured I could get the best advice from people who have been to nursing school. 
:eek:
Dre2416, BSN, RN
155 Posts
I am also in a similar situation w/debt.. I have $17K in cc debt... total monthly for me to live is $1200. I just got accepted to RN school in Jan and I AM going! I can afford the minimums to keep my cc's at bay until Im done with school. I also have summers off from school so I am able to put a lil extra into the debt payment during those months. If I were to wipe my debt clean before I started school id be 3-4 years and I'm already 26...