Nursing-Student Advice Needed!

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Please disregard if you have read this in the PBCC thread.. I just thought I'd post in the main section also to receive further opinion and advice. Thank you!!

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Hi guys, this is my first post and I have quite a few questions.

I'm currently employed in a dead-end desk job with the State of Florida. Seems that the only perk of the position is job security in these rough economical times (it's hit home hard - my mother, a 20year experienced paralegal was laid off in the end of January and hasn't been able to find work since!!). I have always wanted to pursue a position in a health care field, however, working full-time and going to class part-time at the community college seems like it would take AGES to get where I want to be career-wise (degrees, experience, etc)!

I am a bit torn. I am living on measly State salary - which means I am functioning at the Federal poverty level. *sigh* I have not lived at home for the last 5 years (I am only going to be 22 in April) - and I have also been filing as an independent in my taxes. But as most of you know, you are still considered a "minor" until age "24", marriage, or children.. my mother made too much money last year's taxes (even though she is laid off this year) which limits my Pell Grant and Scholarship potential.

I want to start my career! I want to get out there and do my calling (I think nursing would be WONDERFUL for me, and so many people in my life have been encouraging and supportive in my career choice)!

However, from what I've studied about PBCC's nursing program (I am in the process of completing pre-requisites), it is kind of like getting picked from a hat to be accepted! It is my 1st choice, not only because of accreditation and friend's who have completed their program in the past - but becasue of the affordability. I would be able to AFFORD (comfortably) my education and not be stuck with loans for the greater part of my adult life.

I am considering Keiser's program. Instead of a pool system, when you enroll, you are GUARANTEED to begin your core courses once gen.ed. requirements are satisfied. But as mentioned many many times before on this forum (I have used the search function), Keiser is EXPENSIVE! Oh man... $35k?!?!!!!!!!

Anyway, here is where I need advice. Which ever route I decide to take (I'd like your opinions, please) I will also need to maintain a job to pay rent, food, books, etc! Did any of you just take further loans to cover this? Keep a full-time job while in school? What did you all do?

Sincerely,

Your wanna-be-RN,

Athena

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First off I like to say hello. You sound like your motivated and with that you can achieve anything in your path. I think 90% to 100% of nursing students reach a road block on some point in their path to becoming an RN, from deciding what school to apply to, rejection letters, frustration and even depression. Let me tell you what I've decided to do and maybe that will help. I pretty much finished all of my pre-reqs for the Mdc and Bc program, my gpa came up shorter than was expected, I met with counselors at each school and asked them to honestly lay it out for me. They each told me the lowest gpa accepted to both of their last nursing program which was about a 3.6! I was shocked I mean I knew the programs were competitive but I always thought I had a shot, now sitting there with my 3.2 looking very insignificant at this point, I had to make a deision. Either waste away another year taking elective courses solely for the purpose of raising my gpa and hope to get in next time I apply or go on to an lpn program. After much thought, I've decided to study for my T.A.B.E exam and go to my school of interest Lpn orientation on Monday. Financially I will take out a small loan and try my best to have that stretch out for the next 12 months of the program. With the program hours, working seems like an impossibility at this point. But I;m happy with my choice. Now I hope I get into the June program!!!! Hope this helped.

***Remember that many hopsitals will not only give you a sign on bonus as an R.N. but they will also pay up to a certain amount of your loans. I know some small hospitals that were paying 25,000 dollars in loans. (they will only pay for loans used directly for your school program not private loans) ****

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Hi,

PBCC Palm Bay?...If you have your pre-req done you should not have to take them with Keiser. Saving your-self 10K. BC is an option but may be too late in the game. Keiser in Melbourne is a good choice. It maybe better to wait until you have every thing Lined up. I know the waiting is painful.

You say youre not a dependent student...Talk to the financial aid office. May 15. 2009 is the deadline.

good luck

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I'm the same age as you and in the same position you are academically.. still completing my pre-reqs to get into an RN program. If you are ready to jump into your career.. starting out as an LPN and then doing an LPN-RN bridge program might be good for you. I thought about doing the same thing.. I'm working a crappy retail job at the moment and still living at home (desperately wanting to move out of my parents' house, but can't afford to).. but I've been in community college for over two years now and I've gotten most of my pre-reqs whacked away already save for about 5 classes I still need.. so it would be a waste, imo.

But keep in mind, even going through an LPN program is rigorous.. it might indeed be very difficult for you to work full-time and do the program because of homework and clinicals (some clinicals can start as early as 6 AM).

What I'm doing - I am going to be getting my CNA license soon (hopefully, if I can pass the state licensure exam.. wish me luck) and try to work as a CNA while going through nursing school, try to find a job that will give me more flexible shifts. I believe it will give me valuable experience and hopefully some connections for my future career as an RN.

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Sounds like this is a problem for many of us prospective students. I feel like I'm losing my mind, lol. If I quit my job, pull a small educational loan (enough to cover rent and food and stuff), go to school full-time (instead of part-time), I could be finished by this fall and be able to apply to the community college program for Jan '10. If not, I'd have to stay at my stupid job, take part-time classes through next summer (2classes a semester) and aiming for Fall '10.

But if I do that.. I'm still not guaranteed getting in. It's so frustrating. Sorry to vent like this.. but I know that you all probably relate (ljust as LookingForward mentioned).

What is the need for CNA's? Are there jobs available? Because if I were to do that (as you are, intehflames), I'd have to know I'd be able to get a job. Otherwise I might as well quit and get a loan.

Thank you to those of you who replied so far. :)

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Just curious, what is your GPA in your pre-reqs so far? You only need one more semester.. I'd say just quit your FT job and go to school full-time. You could still hold down a Fri-Sun part-time job. As for the CNA thing, I'm not exactly sure how the job prospects are in FL right now for them, but seeing as Florida is "God's Waiting Room," there's tons of LTC facilities around, which is where the majority of CNAs work. Home health is also an option. As for hospital work, I've read on here that hospitals are not really hiring PCTs (hospital CNAs) that don't have at least a year of experience under their belt as a CNA.

Some schools don't do a waiting list year-to-year; they base their admission on your GPA and how many pre-reqs you've completed (Seminole Community College does their RN program admissions like that). So as long as you have 3.0+ and all the pre-reqs done, you have a decent shot at getting in (granted, there's god knows how many other applicants.. 3.0 isn't that difficult to achieve :/).

And Keiser is just way, way too expensive. I guess if you were extremely desperate and it was your last resort.. but 35k tuition.. ouch. I'm a bit worried as well.. as my GPA is only 3.2.. not exactly stellar. I'm sure we'll be able to get into a program somewhere, lol.

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My GPA right now is 3.4.. I still have the two classes I'm taking now (which I'll ace) to change it for the better.

I think I need to make a trip into the financial aid office and see what I can do... Hrm.

Otherwise, I will just have to stick it out at this horrid desk. Heh.

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My GPA right now is 3.4.. I still have the two classes I'm taking now (which I'll ace) to change it for the better.

I think I need to make a trip into the financial aid office and see what I can do... Hrm.

Otherwise, I will just have to stick it out at this horrid desk. Heh.

Noo, don't ever think like that. You're never stuck, even if it feels like you are. You're young. I've done nothing but retail and grocery since I've gotten old enough to work so healthcare is a total change of direction for me.

If you are indeed interested in the CNA thing.. I am taking my course through Florida Medical Prep. Not sure where you live, but they offer programs in Leesburg and Tampa. $300, and they run weekday courses (4 days long) and weekend-only classes (3 days). I'm doing the weekend thing as my college class schedule wouldn't allow for me to do it during the week. I've heard nothing but good things about them but we will see. I go tomorrow, Sat and Sun 8:30a to 6:30p, so I will let you know.

OH! I also wanted to add.. FL Med Prep supposedly helps with job placement. I think they have an agreement with a nursing home somewhere in Leesburg (I'll definitely take that job if offered) and facilities around the Tampa area, however that may be way too far for you to drive.

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