Overcoming Obstacles

Hello everybody!! I woudl like to know if anyone out there has ever been in the same situation I am in. I just finished a summer sememster and now only have 4 more pre-requisistions to go before I enter the R.N. prgm at my college. However, I am in a bind I was laid off from my job in Jan of 2002 and now need to find a job. My CNA certificate is expired and I will have to retake the course all over from scratch again to renew it I don't have the time to do it becuase I have class during the day along with Lab. I am not having any luck finding a job that will coincide with my school schedule and family. I am so close to being accepted into the R.N. program and don't want to quit right now because I am not able to find employment during the night shift. I have to work becuase I have 3 children and my husband only makes enough money to cover all the bills. I have tried to seveal times to go back to become a R.N. and this is the close that I am at now! I only have 4 More pre-req's and I am in the program. Any advice would be helpful??

How to be the Best R.N. someday if I can make it!!!!!!

Chary M.

[Debbie5]

Chary, I don't have any answers for you but you are in my prayers. God will bring something to you. Hang in there!!

[jschut, BSN, RN]

Hey Chary~

How about Home Health? You take a test to see if you qualify without being a CNA. There's some driving involved, but you can pickup the hours you want and work when you can....

In my experience, I have worked many different hours and ALWAYS had the oppertunity to work more if need be.....

[colleen10]

Hi Chary,

I like Julie's idea about the home aide jobs. I temped at a Home Health Facility as an office assistant and they just couldn't get enough Home Health Aides. I'm sure with your experience as a CNA they would snatch you up in a heartbeat.

Seems like you would be taking some steps backward if you went for your CNA again, just because at least here in PA those courses are full time from anywhere from 6-8 weeks. You would loose a semester.

Does your school or another school offer evening classes for your pre-req's?

Also, could you get a student loan, maybe a Federal loan like the Stafford loan or the Pell Grant? You don't necessarily have to use that money for your tuition. Many people have used it for living expenses, etc.

I have been laid off twice and I'm only 27! I know how frustrating it can be. But I always tell myself - where there is a will, there is a way.

I have faith in you. You will be able to make it work.

[ashemson]

I am in the exact same boat as you. I am married, three young children, and I have 3 prereq's left. My husband makes enough for the bills. After struggling with the idea, I finally took out student loans, and am using that toward daycare and other expenses. With the loan money, I divided out what I could allow myself per week. I will put that into savings, pull out the money for daycare weekly and the expense money I had calculated. I am also going to look for a PT job on the weekends. So you can figure this out. Don't give up. I know loans will really suck after school is over, but you either struggle now, or pay it back later, really no difference I guess! Good luck, and PM me if you want to talk!

[Mkue]

Originally posted by ashemson

I am in the exact same boat as you. I am married, three young children, and I have 3 prereq's left. My husband makes enough for the bills. After struggling with the idea, I finally took out student loans, and am using that toward daycare and other expenses. With the loan money, I divided out what I could allow myself per week. I will put that into savings, pull out the money for daycare weekly and the expense money I had calculated. I am also going to look for a PT job on the weekends. So you can figure this out. Don't give up. I know loans will really suck after school is over, but you either struggle now, or pay it back later, really no difference I guess! Good luck, and PM me if you want to talk!

Ashemson.. we must think alike on this matter..lol.. scary for you I know..lol.. to me it makes more sense to borrow at such a low rate, rather than burn the candle at both ends.. however I admire people who do that, it's just not for me. My husband thinks he will be able to retire when I start working again.. NOT..lol.. :chuckle

[Love-A-Nurse]

chary, hang in there!

[Rena RN 2003, RN]

have you thought of calling the hospitals in your area and inquiring about a night position for a health unit coordinator (clerk) or maybe patient admissions or some such?

hang in there. :) where there's a will, there's a way.