RickiP

Wow, thank you SO VERY MUCH for the in-depth reply. I am a planner (ok, obsessive) so this helps me a lot! Thank you!

I just learned today I've been accepted to a Fast Track (18 month) RN program, beginning in August! Trying to keep this short-and-sweet: I work 3 12hr shifts as a CNA per 2wk pay period (that's minimum for benefits & tuition). Hubby works full-time & is the breadwinner (doesn't have benefits offered so I carry them; so yes I will have to work). We have 4 (yes four) kids from 8 to 1 1/2. My sister will move in with us to help with the childcare, she is also doing schooling online. Any recommendations from anyone on how I can best spend my summer getting ready? All my co-reqs are done, got them done while waiting for placement. I suppose I'd better get the house more organized and routines written out for taking care of the house & kids; meal planning, stuff like that. I'd like to be studying something if there's anything I can do ahead of time... learn how to write care plans, maybe? Is there anything you really wish you'd done/ known before you got started? We are determined to do this, I know it's going to be hard with kids & work, but there are plenty of people who have done that... would love your stories!

AZSamantha, it was extremely helpful info for me (I printed it out and put it w/ my school stuff!) because I just want to know as much as possible! I appreciate your thoroughness! kss, thanks for your feedback don't want anyone getting in trouble... Could you tell me how long your wait was, and if GCC weekend was your first choice? I'm hearing 1 1/2 to 2 years for Maricopa programs.

Anyone in the weekend program, can you tell me how long your wait was?

Oh boy, yeah now I see CA programs up top. go me. SORRY!!!

Aehtela... in Arizona. Uh-oh, am I mixed up? Didn't even think of another GCC out there... :imbar

I'm posting all over the place for info on GCC weekend program schedules :) hope nobody gets mad at me. I just finished prereqs and think I'd like to do this program. Childcare will be a major concern- I'll have 4 kids when I start (due w/ this baby in March). If you can post what your schedule is, I would really appreciate it! Also any other info on your wait time, instructors, incidental things (extra meetings, labs, appointments, etc) that get thrown in would be very helpful to me!

Thanks for posting about Thursday nights! I'm looking to apply here and would love AS MUCH INFO AS POSSIBLE on realistic schedules. Childcare is going to be my major, major concern.

Congrats to you all on getting in... I just finished w/ prereqs and am looking to apply here. Can you give me more info on your schedule (when/if you know?) I was going to apply for Scottsdale's Accelerated programs since I am a SHC employee, but haven't heard good things about instructors, etc. MAIN concern though is I have 3 little ones, expecting #4 in 3/2010, and am trying to see which program logistically will have me home as much as possible, doing as much of my away-from-home stuff on weekends, when hubby is home! Childcare is going to be a major concern! Thought Fri-Sat sounded good, but do you end up in labs, etc during the weekdays anyway? Scottsdale is 2-4 days a week w/ classroom & clinicals. Looked into Rio's online (which is where I did all prereq's) but you do all classroom online and then have 3 - 12hr shifts/ week of clinicals! If I'm going to be gone 3 days a week might as well do Scottsdale anyway... Any info appreciated!