Stacey Newbern

First week of RN nursing school is done!! At APSU (TN) it wasn't that bad! There is alot of reading, but I expected that. The teachers seem very organized and gave us a boatload of information the first two days of class. Tuesday is our first day of official clinicals and we have to wear uniforms (goody! Sometimes I think I went into this just for the cute scrubs!). Really, compared to some schools I have heard about on this blog, our school is pretty good! The teachers really seem to want us to succeed. I am so looking forward to the next week- I hope I can keep up this enthusiasm for the next two years!!!

I am 40 and just started the RN program. Have you thought about contacting the disability resource center for your state to see if they will provide appropriate childcare for your kids? I have a handicap child and although we haven't had to use this service, it is available to us. The benefits for disabled- especially autistic- children available are astounding, but you may have to do some hard searching to find just what you need. Don't give up hope!

Thanks for the info. Any suggestions about what questions are most important?

That is really what I was hoping to do but I wasn't sure about the pay scale. If I could hire on at the regular new RN rate without a pay freeze, I can't see where it could be a losing situation. I am planning on staying in that area for at least two additional years after graduation anyway, so why not take advantage of the program? Do you also receive financial help from the hospital while you are in school (if you don't mind my asking!:wink2:)

Thanks for the advice! I am not sure about the policies here at our local hospital and I am really wondering about the pay scale and how much it is reduced if I were to contract. So far all I have gotten from the hospital is "you have to go through the school to get information" and since classes have not officially started I have no one to ask. I'll keep looking into it, though!

I am 40 and starting the RN program this fall. Do not let anyone tell you that LPNs are not real nurses- they are! And if you really want to do it, go for it now!! 28 is still incredibly young and there is time for the RN program later. You may move to an area where the wait isn't quite as long or you may be able to get financial assistance from your employer down the road!

I am starting nursing school at APSU in TN this fall and am considering contracting with our local hospital to help pay for school. I do not know a whole lot about this program and am afraid of locking myself into a contract that isn't profitable. Any suggestions?

Has anyone else thought about contracting with a hospital to help pay for school before graduation? I am having a difficult time finding information or opinions concerning this subject. I would like to contract with our local hospital, but I do not want to "sell my soul to the devil". Any information would be helpful!