needingchange77

Hi, Is anyone currently in the evening/weekend program at Tri-C? I have a chance to move up to this Spring 2012 (am already accepted for Fall 2012) and was thinking about this program, instead of the day program. Does it take longer to complete if you are in the evening program? Is it more of a part-time program? I'm completely finished with all the supporting science courses and would only have the nursing courses/clinicals to complete. If it makes a difference, I have a 5 yr. old son, and will have a new baby in 2 weeks, am married (spouse will be home for the kids if I choose the evening program; for day program, we'll do childcare since spouse works). Thanks for the info!

AssociateDegree, Since you are faculty/staff at Tri-C...I'm curious as to your thoughts on all of the Associate Nursing programs offered in NE Ohio, and the rate at which they are graduating students into a job market that's still weak? Students will talk...other RN's will talk...and I've been hearing that it's getting more difficult to land a job as a new grad, whether it's in LTC, Nursing homes, or the hospitals. I won't be graduating until end of 2013 (if I start Spring 12), so obviously the market could change...

Thanks for the info, AssocaiteDegree! I really don't want to wait until Fall 2012 to get started, as it will be a financial burden when the GI Bill runs out in the middle of my program, so I'm glad to hear driving out to Eastern may not be a daily occurence...also glad to hear west side clinicals are an option.

To those of you already in Tri-C's ADN program...how many days a week are you actually in the classroom? I'm asking because I'm ready to select my preferences and I live in Westlake, however, the Westshore slots are filled for Spring 2012 already, but Eastern has openings. It's about 25-30 min. drive for me to attend Eastern, but if it means starting 8 months sooner, would it be worth it? (I'm utilizing the GI Bill which will run out for me if I wait for the Fall 2012 slot at Westshore) Also, if you're at Eastern do you have to select east-side clinical sites, or would I be able to select something closer to the west-side of town? thanks for your advice!

My husband is a soon-to-be nursing student and went to their info session 2 weeks ago (you have to go in person to get info). I believe the course fee was approx. $550-$600 and lasts 3 weeks (including clinicals) but they do not offer you automatic employment once you finish and take your state test.

Thanks for the replies! I appreciate you reading the extra looong post :) We have a lot to consider... I've been hearing from other nurses on this forum and from some I know personally that new grads are having a hard time finding employment (ADN grads & BSN grads). Also, the LPN job market has been limited to LTC facilities, I've heard. Hmmmm, new factors to consider...

I've heard from nurses in this forum and from a few I know that the recession has also affected the nursing profession- especially LPN's (which is what I considered doing first while hubby is going for ADN). It sounds like new grads are having a hard time securing employment. BUT, by the time we all would graduate in 2-3 years, that could change. I'm in NE Ohio by the way, and we have the Cleveland Clinic, UNiversity Hospitals and numerous other hospitals as well...

Wow...judging from the posts above a lot of us in our 30's are in the same situation...I posted this a couple of weeks ago too: My husband and I are in careers (dead-end jobs more like it) that we hate! He's in management (used to be a police officer) and I work in administration and am chained to a desk all day. You might also like to know we have a 4 year old son :) There has been restructuring at hubby's employer and his position is now a dead-end job w/no hope of advancement; also, since earning my BS in Business Mgmt. 10 years ago, I am less than thrilled with the idea of sitting at a desk all day for the next 30+ years (we are both 33). So, hubby decided to pursue an ADN at the local community college (he's started pre-reqs and he'll finish those at the end of Fall, however, then there is a "wait list" of about 1 year before you can start the NURS clinicals due to lack of space, so he'll take the other required courses in the mean time like A&P's, Micro, etc...as those are not required to apply for the NURS program) He should finish his ADN by Fall 2013. He's scared of the pre-reqs more than anything (Math, Chem) because he has never taken those at a college level (only has about 20 credits behind him)! He's financing his eduaction by utilizing the GI Bill for veterans, so we are lucky his education will be covered by this completely. Now, I have been laid-off twice in the past 10 years due to the nature of my job (HR) and honestly, since having my son I no longer want a corporate job- to me it's useless. I want to do something that is meaningful and rewarding (and of course offers more opportunities than my currrent career field). I had explored teaching, but I don't think it's for me...and a lot of teachers are always laid off in Northeast Ohio where we live. I have a few friends who are RN's, and some LPN's, and of course they are encouraging me to pursue nursing too. I've been doing my research into schools/programs and even though I have a bachelor's the Accelerated BSN is too expensive at the schools in my area so I am choosing to pursue the ADN like my hubby. Luckily, I only have 1 pre-req to take (Chem) and then I can apply, and once admitted to the ADN program, I'd have to "wait' as well and then I could take the A&P, Micro, etc. jsut like he has to. Whew...thanks for hanging on this long! :) So, my tentative plan is to leave my job once I am accepted into the NURS program and can start clinicals and NURS courses (the other support courses mentioned above can be taken evening and weekends so I can keep working for now). Since NIETHER of us will be employed, we'll have to pay for our own health insurance (I've already gotten several quotes for family plans from insurers), we'll use the "extra" money from the GI Bill to cover other expenses like childcare (son already goes to a wonderful program)food, gas, etc...BUT we'll need to takle out student loans to cover our mortgage payment for the next 3 years. I have thought out and planned this out and have even completed the FAFSA to make sure we'd get enough student loan money to do this! AM I CRAZY?? I know I could wait until hubby's done in 3 years, but now that the IDEA is in my head, I CANNOT get it out! I have no patience for this job anymore since getting this idea a few months ago...also, my son is going to be in school and I feel I'd rather us BOTH get our degrees out of the way before our son is in 3rd grade and beyond and has activities, sports, more homework, etc... What do you all think? Have you heard of ANY other couple who has done this or attempted it? BOTH people in nursing school? And, the thought of borrowing about 30K in loans to cover expenses is terrifying...BUT, if we are both in careers we enjoy, and are making more money, and have more opportunities than we do now, won't it be worth it in the long run?

I know this is an older thread, but...I hear from a lot of LPN's that the job market is terrible in Northeast Ohio for LPN's- that the only place hiring is usuallly a nursing home. I considered going the LPN route at Central also, just to get experience in the field and then go for the RN, but now am reconsidering due to the apparent lack of LPN jobs around here? Can any LPN grads comment on this? Greatly appreciated....

I'm so glad to have found this forum...I've already read tons of info and am addicted! Now, I need your advice for my own unique situation...sorry the post is so long, but I really want everyone's unbiased opinion and you need the whole story to understand :) My husband and I are in careers (dead-end jobs more like it) that we hate! He's in management (used to be a police officer) and I work in administration and am chained to a desk all day. You might also like to know we have a 4 year old son :) There has been restructuring at hubby's employer and his position is now a dead-end job w/no hope of advancement; also, since earning my BS in Business Mgmt. 10 years ago, I am less than thrilled with the idea of sitting at a desk all day for the next 30+ years (we are both 33). So, hubby decided to pursue an ADN at the local community college (he's started pre-reqs and he'll finish those at the end of Fall, however, then there is a "wait list" of about 1 year before you can start the NURS clinicals due to lack of space, so he'll take the other required courses in the mean time like A&P's, Micro, etc...as those are not required to apply for the NURS program) He should finish his ADN by Fall 2013. He's scared of the pre-reqs more than anything (Math, Chem) because he has never taken those at a college level (only has about 20 credits behind him)! He's financing his eduaction by utilizing the GI Bill for veterans, so we are lucky his education will be covered by this completely. Now, I have been laid-off twice in the past 10 years due to the nature of my job (HR) and honestly, since having my son I no longer want a corporate job- to me it's useless. I want to do something that is meaningful and rewarding (and of course offers more opportunities than my currrent career field). I had explored teaching, but I don't think it's for me...and a lot of teachers are always laid off in Northeast Ohio where we live. I have a few friends who are RN's, and some LPN's, and of course they are encouraging me to pursue nursing too. I've been doing my research into schools/programs and even though I have a bachelor's the Accelerated BSN is too expensive at the schools in my area so I am choosing to pursue the ADN like my hubby. Luckily, I only have 1 pre-req to take (Chem) and then I can apply, and once admitted to the ADN program, I'd have to "wait' as well and then I could take the A&P, Micro, etc. jsut like he has to. Whew...thanks for hanging on this long! :) So, my tentative plan is to leave my job once I am accepted into the NURS program and can start clinicals and NURS courses (the other support courses mentioned above can be taken evening and weekends so I can keep working for now). Since NIETHER of us will be employed, we'll have to pay for our own health insurance (I've already gotten several quotes for family plans from insurers), we'll use the "extra" money from the GI Bill to cover other expenses like childcare (son already goes to a wonderful program)food, gas, etc...BUT we'll need to takle out student loans to cover our mortgage payment for the next 3 years. I have thought out and planned this out and have even completed the FAFSA to make sure we'd get enough student loan money to do this! AM I CRAZY?? I know I could wait until hubby's done in 3 years, but now that the IDEA is in my head, I CANNOT get it out! I have no patience for this job anymore since getting this idea a few months ago...also, my son is going to be in school and I feel I'd rather us BOTH get our degrees out of the way before our son is in 3rd grade and beyond and has activities, sports, more homework, etc... What do you all think? Have you heard of ANY other couple who has done this or attempted it? BOTH people in nursing school? And, the thought of borrowing about 30K in loans to cover expenses is terrifying...BUT, if we are both in careers we enjoy, and are making more money, and have more opportunities than we do now, won't it be worth it in the long run? Please help... Thanks!