JessLP

That's super helpful! Thanks!

Wow! Thanks for the links! I did a search and read a bunch on BSN programs but had a hard time finding any talk of "block" programs that weren't private for-profit schools. I'll take a look through those threads.

I'm not a mom, so take my thoughts with the grain of salt they're worth... but... You're probably looking at 2 - 3 years by the time that you graduate with an ADN. Your son will be 5 - 6 by then. While you'd likely be working 12 hour days if you don't work in a LTC environment, you could work nights and hire an overnight sitter. (I was an overnight sitter and charged $30 a night since I was only actually working for a few hours and the rest of the time I could sleep, study, watch TV, etc. It was an easy $90 a week for me and didn't cut into my day.) While you would miss out on several waking hours three days a week, you would have 4 whole days off every week. Nursing school is difficult, and I can only imagine that being a single mom makes it more challenging. I'm currently the only one working in my household, which means that I'm working 40+ hours a week. It's tough, but it's possible. As a single mom, you'd likely be eligible for more than I am in the way of grants, so there's a good chance that you wouldn't have to work that much. If it were me, I would make the push and pursue nursing. It'll be tough, but I think it's better than spending two years of your life in a dental hygiene program only to be unhappy with that career and have to go back to school for another two years for nursing. Good luck with whatever you choose!

I took A&P online but could never imagine doing micro online. I highly suggest taking it in person. If you live in the east valley, check out TB (his initials, and no, he doesn't have tuberculosis). He teaches at SMCC, CGCC and MCC.

After my ADN, I would prefer to continue my education online as much as possible. I've been looking into BSN programs and am torn about the best option for me. I'm someone who does best when studying one or two subjects at a time at an accelerated rate. I LOVE summer school! Are there online BSN programs (that don't cost an arm and a leg) that function like that? I've looked into Western Governors University (WGU) but have been hesitant since they don't award credits in the traditional fashion and if I find that I don't like it there I would feel "stuck" because they make it pretty clear that many classes won't transfer. Once I have my BSN I would like to complete my MSN/NP online (of course I know that clinicals will have to be in person) or in an "adult school." I wouldn't mind attending classes an evening or two a week or even all day on a weekend day, but I don't want to live my ADN-student life forever. Any suggestions for these programs? I'm a few years away from attending one, but I'd like to start some preliminary research as time permits so that I'm not performing a hurried search. Thanks, y'all!

I started school on Friday at MSC. So far so good, I guess. It's kind of annoying that the first block is basically CNA and A&P stuff, since I've already done both. Hopefully it'll be a fairly easy block.

MSC starts on September 25th. Everything is in place. I'm so nervous! I have no idea what to expect! I picked up an NCLEX-PN study guide and have no idea what most of the stuff is in there, so I'm also intimidated by what I'm supposed to learn in a year. Is there anything I should get before school starts? Any tips for success?

It is too late to apply for September. The deadline was July 31. They're now taking applications for February.

Good ideas for people needing to cut down on expenses. We currently own both of our cars outright and I work too far away to use public transportation right now. I do have a tiny, fuel-efficient car, though. Hopefully gas stays low.

I'm able to get more hours at a CNA right now so I'm able to make ends meet, but it's going to be tough. I should be able to get 45 to 55 hours a week. The only down side is that there are no benefits, but I can live with that since it means I'll be in school. I've also been working a minimum of 60 hours a week (sometimes upwards of 80) to be able to save. So, it seems like it'll be possible, but it's going to be tough.

I don't know who J and D are. I've only worked with A and don't know about anyone else at MSC. Would you mind PMing me names and numbers if you have them? I would really, really appreciate it. I have two jobs right now. I work in enrollment for a university and as a CNA. I'll have to leave my university job because it's a regular Monday through Friday job, but I'll be keeping my CNA job because it's super flexible. I just need to know what to do regarding giving notice of my resignation for my university job. I want to work there as long as I can because I make much more there than at my CNA job and I want to establish as much of a savings as possible.

Thanks for the advice, arizdolphin. I really appreciate it. When you started did your classes start the Monday after class registration? I just got my letter telling me to register on September 25th for classes. I'm trying to figure out when my last day at my job should be and no one has told me when classes actually start, so I'm trying to figure it out on my own.

Thanks! We'll see what happens... I must admit that I'm nervous!

Well, keep stressing... the administration isn't seeming like they're on the ball, but they have a super high NCLEX pass rate so it can't be a bad school. Make sure that you keep on the financial aid department to ensure that your packet is handled properly.

BIO201 is a pre-req so it needs to be completed before application. Here's a link to the actual application: http://nursing.maricopa.edu/pdfdocs/NursingApp.pdf The co-reqs for progression into Block 3 (BIO 202 and BIO 205) need to be completed to allow you to move into your second year. The co-reqs for graduation (ENG 101, ENG 102, Critical Thinking, and the Humanities elective) are just required to graduate. You can work on co-reqs while on the waiting list.

There are accelerated BSN programs for people with a bachelors in another field, but having a BA doesn't move you up on the waiting list. You can get on the waiting list without completing BIO202 and BIO205. Only the pre-reqs are required before getting on the wait list. Personally, I thought that CHM130 was tough, but doable. I got an A in the lab and a B in the lecture. I took it this summer at SMCC,

I don't see how a CNA could hurt. I, personally, haven't had any luck getting hired at a hospital, but I'm using my CNA to do home health work and hope to do that through my LPN program. I don't know about PVCC, but I've seen many colleges offer CNA programs on Saturdays only, so you might be able to do that and juggle a co-req or two. I, personally, didn't think that the CNA was really that challenging. It was time consuming, but I didn't find myself doing any out of class studying.

I was accepted into the September 25th class and was told that's only required if you don't have financial aid in place at the time of official acceptance.

I know I've mentioned it before, but I'm SO excited for you! Congrats!

I'm totally open to working double weekends. I'm already working 25 hours over the weekend, so another 7 hours wouldn't be much more, and it'd come with extra pay and benefits. The problem is I can't find anywhere offering double weekends right now! Have you seen anywhere? I'm searching high and low!

Does anyone know of places hiring that offer schedules that would accomodate nursing school? I'm looking for a job that will work around a nursing school schedule. I've been applying to nursing homes, rehab centers, and hospitals, thinking that they would be the most likely to work around a nursing school schedule. So far I haven't had any luck. I just got my acceptance letter to nursing school. I start September 25th. I'm super excited, but now I'm trying to figure out how to pay the bills. I've already cut back on everything I can cut back on. We got rid of the home phone, cable, and got the slowest internet. We've cut out eating out, except for the occasional burger from the dollar menu when eating out means I can work more hours, thereby making more money. So, cutting costs isn't going to work. I need a job, and one that will pay the bills through nursing school! I currently work as a CNA on the weekends at a senior care center and at a university during the week. I'll have to leave my university job, which is where I have my health insurance and other benefits, once nursing school starts. I should be able to keep my CNA job and likely pick up some extra hours, but benefits aren't available here. My husband is looking for work and hasn't had much luck (and he's not even going to nursing school). Our credit is in horrible shape, so I can't get a private loan, and I made too much money last year to get the Pell grant. So, I'm trying to figure out how to make this work. It WILL work... somehow. I'll be homeless and go to nursing school if that's what it comes down to, though I would (obviously) like to avoid it. I apologize for the novel, but thank you for any ideas!

I've used textbooks.com for my pre-req classes. The books were pretty inexpensive and they'll even buy them back from you when you're done.

I got into MSC so I'll be starting there on September 25th. Did anyone else get in and decide to go there for September?

Thanks! I'll totally be applying, then! I've already done my NET, have my CNA, fingerprints, and vaccines.

If I don't get into the MSC for September I want to apply to Gateway's Fast Track program. Does anyone know what the pre-reqs are? I can't get anyone on the phone.