Eight-31

I am currently doing exactly what you are talking about. I work full-time for a hospital and am also doing my pre-reqs at a community college. Let me just tell you that it is a million times harder than I thought it would be in the beginning and once I'm in nursing school it is only going to get worse. I have no choice though, if I don't work I don't eat lol One thing you could consider though is volunteering at a hospital. With volunteering you would be in the environment, still able to network, and get to know that staff and management. At most hospitals you have to go through HR and apply in order to volunteer so they would already have you in the system if you chose to apply there later. An added bonus is that although it would be unpaid, you usually get to set your own hours which you could coordinate between school, your daughter, volunteering, and regular life. If one week you just can't handle it, don't schedule any hours. I don't know, I did this for a semester a few years back and I loved it! Just a thought.

Candice-- thank you for your help and optimistic attitude towards the situation. I definitely agree that my education is a worth while investment. I'll look into some of the options you have listed and hopefully something will work out. I would really like to do the BSN program if I can financially find a way to do it. I may also go back to the Financial Aid office at the school and see if they have any other advice for me as well.

I guess I didn't realize that the maximum increased that way. That is something to consider. I have thought about private loans, and although they are and option I would like to avoid using them. Besides Sally Mae, who are some good private lenders? I already checked with my bank and they do not do any type of student loan or personal-unsecured loan like that.

Thank you for your responses. I'm not scared of the student loans which I do qualify for but my max is 9,500 per year. That only leaves approx 1,250 per semester for books and living expenses. I have cut back on my discretionary expenses like cell phone, tv, etc. I'm just a worrier when it comes to money and get nervous if I don't think I'll have enough. If I do the bachelor's program I will have to cut my hours down at work and even cutting back only 6 hours a week means I loose over 2,500 per semester. All in all it means I'm still short. But if I do the ADN program I can still work the same hours I'm working now until my last two semesters and take out enough in student loans to cover school, books, and any living expenses I need. But like one of the PP's mentioned it would be like taking the long road and would probably end up costing me more in the end.

I'm just now doing my pre-req's and already have quite a few large books. I ended up getting a rolling book bag for the days I have all of my classes. And on the days I only have one or two classes I have a smaller bag I carry on my shoulder. I have noticed that a lot of the students at my school do the same.

Alright so I need your advice... I'm currently doing my pre-req's for an ADN program and in speaking to my adviser I found out that in the same amount of time it will take me to get into the program and complete it I could go ahead and get in a four year program this fall and have my BSN in the same amount of time. Sounds great right?!? Well I talked to the school with the BSN program and was accepted immediately. When we started talking finances I just about jumped out of my chair. Apparently my EFC is too high and I will have to pay over 7K a year and do not qualify for any type of assistance. (I find that hard to believe given that I work in an entry level position and make just enough money to live month to month.) Anyways, my option is to continue with my pre-req's and get into the ADN program in the Fall of 2011 and not graduate until 2013, or go this fall to the BSN program and possibly not know how to pay my tuition and my bills. So the question is...is a Bachelor's worth the financial headache? Or should I just do the ADN and see where I'm at when I'm done with that and THEN decide if I want to continue with the BSN? I'm leaning towards the later, but I wanted to hear some feedback. TIA

I'm also taking A&P I this fall. I'm very nervous, but also looking online to find some study tools. Working full-time and trying to go to school makes it difficult but it can be done!!! Good Luck to everybody!

It looks like I am taking Chem lab M W F 8a-9:40a Chem lec M W F 10a-12:45p and Math requirement T TH 10:30a-1:30p. Definitely not looking forward to Chem. I took it in high school but our school requires that it be taken within 5 years of admittance to the program and right now the last time I took chem was almost 8 years ago. Looks like there are some other people doing Chem so I'm sure we can all help each other through it!