Part-time Nursing school

fergus51 · Jan 16, 2001

Have you looked into getting student loans so you could go ful time? You could finish in 2 years with an ADN and get to work. Many hospitals are even paying off new grads student loans. A friend of mine went back to school with a 2 year old at home and got a loan and worked part time on weekends. It's easier to organize work around school rather than trying to fit school around your work schedule.

allevi · Jan 16, 2001

I would suggest a community college, go part time while doing your gen eds, but what ever route you take, the nursing portion usually requires a full time course load, but working is still possible.

nursejanedough · Jan 16, 2001

Look into all the nursing homes in your area. They will train you as a CNA (Certified Nursing Assistant) or nurse's aide without a fee. They may be willing to train you part time. This is very hard nursing (but if you really want to help people, this is it). If you like being a CNA, and you want to become an LPN or RN, they used to give GSL, (Guarantee Student Loan) at colleges.

ManyHatsToWear · Jan 16, 2001

We have a lot in common! I also have 2 crazy boys and a husband (I got a girl dog and cat to get even). Some community colleges offer evening and weekend clinicals, for example Villa Julie College in Baltimore, Maryland. My Mom's advice was great when I said the same thing as you a few years ago. "Just go to the college. Go there, get the information, and sign up for whatever class you need. You'll figure out the rest from semester to semester."

Get a loan or tuition reimbursement from your job. I went from a $30k/year job to being a waitress for 2 years while I did my early classes. I made decent money with no childcare costs. Now I work Part-time in a hospital as a secretary evenings and nights, and they pay for my school. Most of the students in school with me have young kids, some are single mothers. My good friend in school with me has triplet boys, aged 5, one of whom has Down's, and a 3 year old girl. She doesn't have extensive child care, and she gets A LOT OF MONEY FROM SCHOLARSHIPS, GRANTS, and LOANS!!!!! There's a lot of money out there for nursing students. Start by seeing an advisor. They'll get you pointed in the right direction. Follow your heart -- you'll be rewarded tenfold.

Enright · Jan 16, 2001

In the 80's I found myself in the same dilemma. In my case I had a BS degree and 5 years of night school nursing credits. I was desperate for a part time RN program that would let me get the clinical time in while I continued to work. I was single and there wasn't anyone else to carry the expenses while I went to school. I searched everywhere. Came up empty. I ended up going to an accelerated program (Creighton) where I got my BSN in 11 months. It was very intense but a great experience. I was most concerned with being out of work and needed to get back into a full time job as soon as possible.

There may be a lot more options now. I suggest the NLN publications on nursing education. That's how I found my school. Nursing education can be very rigid and has been slow to change to meet customer needs. Good luck!

maikranz · Jan 17, 2001

Originally posted by Yavonda:
I am employed full time in the software business, I am a wife & a mother of 2 boys. I desperately want to become a nurse. Not for the salary, but to help people. I am willing to work weekends, nights, whatever, as long as I am making a difference. The problem is, I can not find a part-time nursing school. Unfortunatly, I can not afford to quit my job & go to school. I am willing to go nights & weekends all year, but I need an income while I'm doing this. Currently, I make more an hour than most nurses, but am so unsatisfied. Any suggestions. I live in the Charlotte, NC area.

In your immediate area, you have access to 2 community colleges, 1 hospital school of nursing, a state university, and a private college.

Suggestion--make a few phone calls. Good luck!

Mijourney · Jan 19, 2001

Originally posted by Yavonda:
I am employed full time in the software business, I am a wife & a mother of 2 boys. I desperately want to become a nurse. Not for the salary, but to help people. I am willing to work weekends, nights, whatever, as long as I am making a difference. The problem is, I can not find a part-time nursing school. Unfortunatly, I can not afford to quit my job & go to school. I am willing to go nights & weekends all year, but I need an income while I'm doing this. Currently, I make more an hour than most nurses, but am so unsatisfied. Any suggestions. I live in the Charlotte, NC area.

Hi Yavonda. I'm glad you're interested in nursing. It is a challenging, tough but versatile profession. I would suggest that you hold on to your knowledge from the software business. There are some nurses that post on this bb that are involved in areas like informatics and publishing. You may find that staying current in software will make you highly marketable in the health and medical profession. I think all the previous suggestions giving you advice on how to proceed in nursing are good. Best wishes.