Nursing School--I need direction

NP2BE · May 25, 2004

I am looking for an evening nursing school to obtain my RN in Southern California. I work full-time during the day for an ambulance company and need to attend school at night---I am having difficulty finding an evening nursing school--any suggestions?

Get a night job

Nurse GOODNIGHT · May 25, 2004

Are you a paramedic? If you are very self-directed look into Excelsior in NY, they do correspondence courses. Last time I checked, paramedic/LVN?LPN?RT, etc. were the minimum requirements for admission into the program. Chancellors has the books.

I must stress you need to be very self-directed or otherwise you will end up wasting time and money you could have put into a traditional program and be out and practicing already. I personally would feel a bit unsure practicing unless I had all the clinical time I have had in a "traditional" program. If you have a nursing friend who can show you or you can shadow that would help. The great crying over shortage of nurses and they don't make it easier. I know many, many of my friends who would be great and caring nurses and want to go to school, but they have responsibilities that require them to work (sole support, insurance etc) and no programs that support that. I personally had to totally rearrange my life and give up much to make this sacrifice and work. I knew I had to do it (personally and professionally). Fortunately, I have supportive family but no small little ones. I think it is unfair to put little people through as they are only young once and I have heard nurses say, "Oh I'll have more time once the semester is over/I graduate, etc" but then they go into a job working 12-16 hours. My two cents for what it's worth.

Remember U get what U pay for. (free advice wise)

Dixiecup · May 25, 2004

Do you hav Sanford Brown in California. They offer evening courses.

spunkygirl · May 25, 2004

Grossmont Community College in El Cajon has a nights and weekend program. It also is done in 18 months because they don't take summer breaks. I don't know how close to El Cajon you are but thats the only one I know of in this area.