Nursing program, to go or not to go?

I actually heard that getting a job as a new grad is easier in southern California than northern California. Many new grads in the LA area have jobs lined up prior to the graduating, they simply have to pass the NCLEX. In NorCal, its the opposite because its so saturated with nurses with more experience. I know, because I'm a new grad in NorCal and know a new grad in SoCal. And you can find jobs with an ADN just as easily, but I would suggest you eventually get a BSN (can be done online) to improve your pay grade and hiring chances at larger hospitals.

Over half my graduating class were on 2nd careers and married with kids. It sucks, but its doable. If you know your heart is in this, it is a worthwhile investment into your future and your family's future. Good luck.

I personally would go for it. To me 7k is very cheap for an ADN and it will pay off in the long run.The program I am applying to in Miami is over 8k for tuition. You don't want to look back on life and say that you regret not going. I put off nursing school for a few years and got a bachelors in another field. I regret it tremendously. Even though I'm still in my early 20's I wonder how much easier my life would have been financially if I would have focused on the program at a community college. I would have my BSN and been working for a few years now. Chalk it up to young and dumb I guess. I do not get financial aid but I am planning to get a small student loan and pay it off once I find a job. Congrats on being accepted. I get my letter next month

Congrats on your acceptance!

I know the financial struggle. Also married with two kids (2 & 6) and in NS. The only difference is I live in Alabama where the cost of living is not so bad, but I barely make above minimum wage.

It is hard to work FT and go to school and parent and be a wife. REALLY hard somedays, but I find something on those hard days to keep me going even if it's just daydreaming about the beach trip I will take after passing the NCLEX!

Determine WHY you want to be a nurse and think on that when you want to quit. It won't be easy but it'll be worth it. You've just got to want it and know sacrifices will happen.

Thanks everyone for your encouraging comments. I really appreciate your input. I will keep you posted as to what I decide on. I definitely do not want to miss out on this opportunity.

Financially I did okay at first, and then some other stuff happened that increased my expenses and lowered my income at the same time. I needed to run up some credit card debt just to survive. I'm dealing with that now.

All in all, it was still worth it. School cost me less than I can earn now in 6 months.

If you're really concerned about having enough, you could defer a semester, work a lot and save up a little more.

Financially I did okay at first, and then some other stuff happened that increased my expenses and lowered my income at the same time. I needed to run up some credit card debt just to survive. I'm dealing with that now.

All in all, it was still worth it. School cost me less than I can earn now in 6 months.

If you're really concerned about having enough, you could defer a semester, work a lot and save up a little more.

I did call the school to ask about deferring a semester but I was told that they don't offer that. Which I understand since they do have a high volume of students who apply each semester.

Does your job allow you to study during lulls? I work nights at a hospital and when I'm not busy with my work, I'm at the nurses' station with my nose in a textbook. I have had to severely cut back on my hours at work in order to go to school and it's not fun. Definitely takes a lot of penny pinching. Do you have your CNA? Many friends of mine work nights at adult family homes and that seems to work well for them. Or perhaps your school has any employment opportunities that will work better around your classes or other resources?

It's tough, but my mantra has also been "short-term loss, long-term gain."

Does your job allow you to study during lulls? I work nights at a hospital and when I'm not busy with my work, I'm at the nurses' station with my nose in a textbook. I have had to severely cut back on my hours at work in order to go to school and it's not fun. Definitely takes a lot of penny pinching. Do you have your CNA? Many friends of mine work nights at adult family homes and that seems to work well for them. Or perhaps your school has any employment opportunities that will work better around your classes or other resources?

It's tough, but my mantra has also been "short-term loss, long-term gain."

Unfortunately, I am not able to study during work hours. If I do cut back on my hours, I run the risk of being one of the first to be let go when layoffs happen. Also most nursing schools are mon-fri all day and sometimes even on the weekends. I am not able to work past 7pm where I work now. So pretty much my only option would be to leave my job and just go to school. It's just that everything revolves around money, you know? lol

I'm grateful that my mom lives with me and my husband and is able to help me out with my kids. If not, daycare would be another expense on my list of bills.