Not 100% sure what to do

DolceVita, ADN, BSN, RN · Nov 15, 2009

Some thoughts:

Find out for sure if you would have to take more pre-requisites at your "home" college
Find out for sure if there is a waiting list or another application system at your home college
Remember that a move is still a move and takes some months to adjust/readjust
Remember that the grass is always greener somewhere else and there is NO guarantee that once you are "home" that people/family will, if fact, step up to help you -- it is always easier for people to say these things when there is no danger they will be taken up on them.
Going back to school is tough and nursing school is tougher still -- not necessarily academically but time commitment. Maybe being "home" could help with that.
Is your home town the same as your hubby's? If not he gets the extra stress of a move and complete adjustment to a new town.
Even with family nearby you will still have to put together a set of reliable babysitters -- this is something that many parents struggle with in the beginning.
Can your husband adjust his work so he is free during the your classes to look after the child?
Remember if you do move home you might end up with more family responsibilities than you thought. You won't be able to go "home" and just be on the receiving end of assistance from family -- it is give and take.

That is what jumped into my head.

L8RRN · Nov 15, 2009

We live about 20 hours from our family and it is tough. I did nursing school while caring for our middle school age kids while hubby was deployed to Iraq. I know how you feel. I ALMOST went back home while hubby was gone to finish school but it was going to add 6 months onto the school time and they only admitted once a year so I would have to wait even longer to get started. The local school I went to had no wait. Even though it was competitive, I had good grades and I started the semester after I applied.

My suggestion is do research on schools in both areas and compare. Check to see if there is a waiting list back home...check to see how competitive it is to get into also (and if current students have preference). You may even be able to apply and find out for sure if you are accepted before moving back. I got my acceptance letter 4 months before the semester started, which would give you a little time to move home.

If you decide to stick it out where you are, you will make some really great friends in the program. There is something about going through the same thing that really bonded several of us, I guess. We looked out for each other and helped each other with childcare issues. One friend and I specifically did different clinical days (even though I would have loved to be in the one with her), so we could watch each other's kids. Her kids were in school, too, so we didn't need to do much but it was a great backup plan...esp for the unexpected call from the school nurse.

Best of luck to you.

tlc2u · Nov 15, 2009

Definitely go online and look up the schools "back home" to determine the prereqs needed. There are several nursing schools where I live and they each have 1 or 2 prereqs different than the other schools. Also here the nursing schools used to accept transfer students but now the information online for these nursing schools state "NO TRANSFER STUDENTS".

The other thought that comes to mind for me is in todays economy will your hubby be able to find a job if you move? Also are there jobs "back home" in nursing for when you complete school. I read many posts here of those who cannot find nursing jobs in some areas now. Things could be better or worse when it is time for you to job hunt.

Best of Luck.

tlc2u

DolceVita, ADN, BSN, RN · Nov 15, 2009

Don't forget if you are moving states that you may have to pay out-of-state tuition OR if you haven't been resident for a certain no of months you can't apply to some 2 year public colleges.

itsmejuli · Nov 15, 2009

Add onto this list that some schools, such as mine, give priority to established county residents.

Prettybrowngirl · Nov 16, 2009

Thanks so much for all the feedback--gives me a lot to think about. I am currently in Phx. and home for me (and hubby) is Chgo. We were born & raised there, and that is where all of our family and friends pretty much are. I do know from reading these boards, that some new grad RN's in Chgo are having a tough time finding a job in this economy. There are just so many "ifs" with moving right now that while my heart is ready, my head says not so fast. Just want to make the right decision, and emotions are clearly running high after we just had a weeklong visit to Chgo! Just trying to get a "plan B" in case we really do decide to move, but hoping to stick it out and finish my RN schooling in Phx if at all possible.

GeauxNursing · Nov 23, 2009

I am an LVN in Dallas and my husband and I are moving to Phx next spring so I can get my RN. My family lives there, (but we are not from there) and my husband expects he could get a great job ether there or here in DFW. He is just finishing up his diesel mechanic school.

After all my research I have decided that AZ is going to offer a better option for me attaining the RN degree. I see the advanced placement programs offer accelerated, nights/weekends, and online options, which you can't find here in DFW. I am not interested in Excelsior.

At first we were both really excited to move to AZ. Start a new life and get some great things going. Now we are more "ehh, okay" about the whole move. But I just feel it is where I need to be for school. We will probably end up coming back to DFW in a few years.

I know how stressed you are, believe me. All the things previously posted are very good considerations.

Prettybrowngirl · Nov 23, 2009

I am an LVN in Dallas and my husband and I are moving to Phx next spring so I can get my RN. My family lives there, (but we are not from there) and my husband expects he could get a great job ether there or here in DFW. He is just finishing up his diesel mechanic school.
After all my research I have decided that AZ is going to offer a better option for me attaining the RN degree. I see the advanced placement programs offer accelerated, nights/weekends, and online options, which you can't find here in DFW. I am not interested in Excelsior.
At first we were both really excited to move to AZ. Start a new life and get some great things going. Now we are more "ehh, okay" about the whole move. But I just feel it is where I need to be for school. We will probably end up coming back to DFW in a few years.
I know how stressed you are, believe me. All the things previously posted are very good considerations.

There are several AP options for LPN/LVNs in AZ--particularly with Maricopa Community Colleges (MCCs). One thing to consider if you are planning to come to Az (specifically if you plan to attend any of the MCCs), is that there is a strictly enforced residency requirement. You MUST provide proof that you established permanent residency in the state for ONE YEAR :eek: prior to the start date of the semester you plan to begin. If not, then tuition can be significantly higher ($96 per credit for less than 7 credit hours/$312 per credit hour for 7+ credit hours). Regular tuition is actually quite reasonable @ $71.00 credit hour.

Also, the job market here is really depressing--as in most places. I would definitely try to have work lined up prior to moving. It would be good to factor in the residency issue because that could really raise the cost of school if you decide to attend, and waiting one year to fulfill in-state residency requirement will only push your start time for nursing school much farther back. Something to thing about :twocents: .

GeauxNursing · Nov 24, 2009

true, true. But actually I figured that the one-year+ waiting list would be the year I need to provide residency! : ) As long as it only counts after you've been placed.

And we do plan on moving back to TX after I've gotten through with school.

Thanks for the advice!