Returning for my RN advice

grammyr · Aug 10, 2008

Why not try getting a job as a CNA and then work on going back to school? If you really did love it when you did it before,try it again. Then you can start taking classes one at a time and work toward your degree that way.

Good Luck on whatever you decide to do.

Daytonite, BSN, RN · Aug 10, 2008

if you're going to wait 18 months, re-establish residency in california where the tuition at the community colleges is only $20 a credit hour for residents and working conditions for rns are better with the nurse staff ratio law in effect (4 patients:1 rn and that is by law). because of the law california needs more rns and the pay is excellent. i was born and raised in ohio. sometimes i miss the grass, but i sure don't miss the ice, snow and below 0 temperatures. did you know that the first fas were rns?

http://www.choosenursing.com/paying/calfinaid.html - financial aid available for nursing students in california

RheatherN, ASN, RN, EMT-P · Aug 10, 2008

you can work as a tech/cna or something and see if that employer will help you pay for school! they usually do as long as you commit to that facility for a certain time period (around here 1 yr). if you want it that bad, as it sounds, you WILLLLLL find a way! do your research, ask many questions.

you know how you can get places to "sponser" you for things? i had someone in my class write to all tons of places around our area, some NOTHING to do with medical, okay, MOST nothing to do with medical, and she got tons of scholarships because she asked. many places have money and just because you are not going into their field or their business- doesnt mean they wont help you out! trust me!

gl! PM me w/ any ?'s

-H- RN

beachbum3 · Aug 10, 2008

I am a 25yr old male and I used to be a CNA on the ICU for a short period of time and loved it. The only reason that I left is because I have always had this itch to be a flight attendant and see the world. Well, lets just say that I scratched that itch and it wasn't at all what I thought it was going to be. 14-16hr duty days but only getting paid for 6-7hrs and very short layovers. Starting super early one day and then working all day and then doing it again, needless to say, it is time to move on. I want to go back for my RN really bad!!! I first went to college for Fashion and I had a small student loan from that that I am paying off until August 15 2009. When I took the FA job, I took such a drastic paycut that I wound up defaulting on the student loan and it will not be reported as current again until October 15, 2008. I sadly also defaulted on my credit cards so it hurt my credit score, which in turn makes it hard to get student loans outside of Stafford loans. I am working on fixing that and by this time next yr it will all be just a bad memory, but I need advice on how to go back to nursing school affordably. I am planning on attending CSCC in Columbus OH. The current cost is 79.00 per credit hour, which is much lower than a university. I currently only make 18,000/yr working full time as a flight attendant so I can't really save much btwn living expenses (that I have somehow managed to minimize to very low numbers) and paying off debts. I will be applying for FAFSA, but other than that, admissions told me over the phone that I am just best staying with the airline for another 18 months until I am debt free and a few months has passed of stable clear credit reporting, in order to get a decent student loan. Any other ideas?

I was a flight attendant too, up until 1 week before I started nursing school. I know just what you mean, LONG days, short layovers (barely enough time to eat and sleep), low pay. There were parts of the job I loved anyway though, and still sometimes miss it.

Anyway, about your question, many people in my class worked as CNAs/techs during school. Also, apply for scholarships. Another thing is if you work for a hospital they often offer tuition reimbursement and other programs especially for people getting their RN. Lastly, do you have enough seniority as a FA to have a choice about your line? My nursing program was 3 days a week. Perhaps you could still fly on the other days and go to school the other 3 days. That was my original plan, but ultimately it just wouldn't work for me... I wasn't senior enough, and they weren't giving out enough WOP days. (I needed 1 per month because we worked 19 days)

Good luck to you!

locolorenzo22, BSN, RN · Aug 10, 2008

I would say that at 18000 a year, you are right around what CNA pay would be in any case. I made about 21000 during NS when I worked as a night tech in the hospital...for about 11.85 a hr. It was hard, but I learned a lot and I feel that it helped bring my RN capabilities way up....I don't feel cheated out of orientation, but I'm not scared of my patient's or their families.

at 79.00 that's not too bad for credit hours....do you have anyone that would be able to co-sign a student loan for living expenses? That would be an option, I would think. Or just save and spend what you have to to make it through...good luck!

WayneStateKatie · Aug 11, 2008

I don't think I would stick to that hellish schedule for 18,000 a year. I make very close to that working as a part time manager in retail and used to make more than I do now when I was working in a restaurant and bar (but I really prefer the hours of retail better with my school schedule).

If I were you I would be applying, applying, applying for a different full time job! If you're working those hellish hours you should be justly compensated and you're not. The airline doesn't sound like the type of employer I'd want to work for. Put out your resume-- if you're working full time you should be able to make at least your current salary and will be able to get in some sleep and a social life.

You have previous CNA experience so put out your resume to hospitals-- you will probably make what you currently do and will make more if you pick up overtime which most facilities are more than happy to give you. Many hospitals offer tuition assistance/reimbursement and will be happy to schedule you around classes. Most facilities are more than happy to help you get through nursing school as they want you to come back and work for them once you have your degree.

Good luck deciding what to do-- I know the thought of completely rearranging your priorities, starting to school, and a switch of careers can be scary but sometimes we need to make sacrifices in order to make our dreams come true. I wish you the very best in your future endeavors.:loveya: