Nursing school now... Or wait indefinitely.

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Here's my dilemma. I'm 30, married with 1 kid. I'm currently unemployed mostly by choice. I've started looking for a job but it's slim pickings. I have an AA in General Studies that amounts to nothing and haven't worked since 2008.

I've been accepted to an LPN program that starts in August. A 1 year program. After a talk with m hubby we determined that if I do not get an inheritance check by August (it's coming eventually) we cannot afford the $5000 tuition. I refuse to take out more loans. (I owe from a previous educational venture).

To complicate matters, I really only intend to work for a year or two after I graduate (provided I find a job) and then I want more kids. Once my kids are all in school my intention was to focus On my career whether I go back to school at that point or not... Not sure.

So now I'm torn. I can afford a health unit coordinator program that's only 4 months long and $1500. I could theoretically work for longer and go back to school later in life.... I'm just not sure.

Would I lose my lisence for not working for a few years? How much less does a health unit coordinator make than an LPN? What would you do? If my I heritance DOES come in time... Should I wait anyway?

Sorry if this isn't clear. I know I have to decide but I'm feeling lost about this.

Thanks

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Specializes in Acute Mental Health.

There's a big difference between LPN and HUC. I don't undestand why you don't want to take out $5000 in loans when you can just pay the loan off when your inheritance check comes? Also, you can work and then work per diem once you want to have more children. I worked 2 weekends per month as a LPN while going for my ADN. I worked as a CNA per diem before that while raising my young children.

You do have to work a certain number of hours per year to keep your license current. I believe it differs from state to state, so just check the BON website.

I hope this helps a bit. Wishing you luck in whatever you decide.

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Thanks.

To answer your question... I'm opposed to debt. I'm still digging myself out of on school loan. It's only 5k I know but, my inheritance check could take a month, a year, ten years... I kind of have to pretend it doesn't exist.

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Specializes in Acute Mental Health.

Well, then you should do what you feel you want to do. There is a difference in pay for sure. Also, LPN is hands on while HUC is not. Which do you prefer? Most people don't like the whole debt thing, but most of us understand that if we want to be a nurse, we will probably incur some debt. There is no early pay off penalty and legal stuff normally takes 2 yrs or so (especially if out of state). If someone is contesting something I guess it could take longer, but still the program is at least 1 yr, and then you get the 6months afterwards. Pretty close timing wise.

So, for me basing something on the fact that $5000 isn't a huge step into debt and I would have money coming eventually, I'd go for nursing. It always has been my calling though so I wouldn't take what I would do seriously :D

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Apply for a PELL grant at http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/ It is based off of your income and you may qualify for the full amount of $5500 or even half (which is better than nothing). Since you are not going till August 2012, you can apply for the grant using your 2011 tax info. Good luck!

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P.S- grants are funded through the government and do not have to be paid back :D

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Thanks. I wish we qualified for a PELL... we technically make too much but so much of our money goes towards debt we have little left over after bills, mortgage, etc. I'm really kind of stuck money wise. I haven't had much luck looking for a job, make too much for financial aid but owe student loans from both my husband and myself. I'm just not sure what to do. Debt can do awful things to a marriage, I'm unwilling to take on any more and feel foolish for have taken out the loans that I did at this point since, I never even finished college.

As it stands (after sleeping on it) I know that if I do not have the money for school (cash in the bank) I will not be starting the program. Maybe I'll luck out and find a job. Nursing school isn't going anywhere. Maybe my inheritance will come in. Maybe I can find some quick program that will help me find a job... any job... so we can pay off these debts.

A word to the wise.... avoid debt if you can help it.

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Specializes in Labor and Delivery.

You obviously already had made your choice, so I'm not sure what you wanted to hear..I;m guessing reassurance?

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Yes. Now that I've been able to think about it for a few days, I realize my questions are different than this one because I already know where I stand in regards to loans and debt.

What I'm really struggling with figuring out right now is, is it worth going to school now when I know I wont' be focusing on my career, really at all, for a few years. I mean, I might work a year or two in an attempt to pay down current debts and save some money but really, I plan to be a stay at home mom for a few years and then focus back on career stuff later (let's say 7 years or so). My thinking at first was that perhaps it would be easier to go to school younger and with only one child than a few years from now with 3 or 4 children. But.... I'm second guessing myself. Will I forget everything I've learned? How would I keep my license?

I'm just torn between what will be harder? Catching up afterwards or going to school with a full brood of kids? Anyone have experience with either scenario? I have to decide what I'm doing before I drive my husband crazy lol

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If your family's finances are as bad as you say it is, and if you want to avoid debt, then why do you want to have more kids? That doesn't make any sense.

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Specializes in Acute Mental Health.

If your goal is to become a nurse, then why wait? The whole debt thing is odd to me. If you're getting an inheritance check and don't know when its coming, then taking out the loans and having them in deferrment (along with your other student loans) seems like a win win to me. When you get the check pay off the loan.

You already know you want to have more children, but you seem like you're not really sure if nursing is something you really want. Seems like you would make more as a nurse than a HUC. If your planning on having more children, making more money seems like something you would want to help in raising them.

I'm not understanding what decision you have to make now. Either you go now or go when there are more children and even less time for schooling and studying.

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Specializes in OR.

Since you don't plan on putting a great deal of time into nursing after school, I would wait. Grow your family and focus on paying off your debts.

Having said that, I was slated to go to nursing school in 2003 when I found out I was pregnant (29 yrs old...first child). My husband and I, at that point, had been married for 11 years and it was a shock to us since we had tried many years before with no success. It wasn't easy because I was high-risk (cerclage, four previous miscarriages), but for me it was a no-brainer...I put all my energy into my baby.

Fast forward 8 years later (now 37yrs old), and THREE children later (7 almost 8yr old, 4 yr old, and 2 yr old), one Ph.D (my husband continued on through school and is now ABD), and I have yet again applied to nursing school. Two of my three are in school...and with our schedules my youngest one hopefully won't have too much time in daycare (if at all). We still have a lot of debt, but we work our behinds off to get done what we need to get done. :) I don't feel that I am too old...My brother-in-law went through nursing school at 40, and loves it...you're never too old.

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