Seeking Specific Demographic: Single Mothers, Future Nurses

SKYSTHELIMIT · Jan 6, 2006

Lee Lee,

I can imagine how you must feel. I too am 26 with two children aged 2 and 5. However, you must put those fears aside for the sake of living a comfortable and secure life for you and child. I was accepted into Drexel Univ BSN program in Phila, upon learning of this, I was absolutely floored. You see I've come a long way, I have not always been academically focused and it shows on my transcript but about two years ago I journeyed out to find what my career would be and found nursing. Now I only have two more prerequisites to go before I start my program in Sept 06. I look back and see how far I've come and it's so unbelievable. In a year I will be able to say that I 've finished my first clinical and so on and so on. Only problem is that Drexel tuition is close to $25,000 a yr!! Their program is a co-op program so going to this nursing school means that part of the curriculum is doing a paid co-op in addition to clinicals which is great. However while I have the spare time from now till then, I have applied to other school as well so if one of the less expensive schools accept me I'm there but if no one else does I will just have to troop Drexel out and go for what I know however I can. Good Luck and feel free to contact me whenever for support or questions.

melissak7878 · Jan 6, 2006

Hi

I am 27 and have an 8 year old daughter. I was a single mother for a long time but met the man of my dreams and got married. I also was not the one to be academically focused and my transcripts did show that. I went back to school 2 years ago.Financial aid is a wonderful thing they even covered my books and i had some money left over which could be used for daycare if needed. Luckily I had my parents to help. What I did was scheduled all my classes while she was in school. I still do the same. I have wonderful neighbors who help me put her on the bus if needed. And 8pm bedtime is mandated in my house (thats study hour for me). I've come a long way to finally be accepted in the nursing program and I start the 18th. I wish you looks of luck its the best thing I ever decided to do was go back to school. The one thing I can say is my daughter will always know what great length i had to over come to give her the life she deserves. You will be able to say the same and hopefully that will lead us to have just as hard working children to achieve their goals in life.

Lots of luck you need support feel free to email me [email protected]

P.s. google: fasa. thats the name for where you apply for finacial aid. I'm not sure what the exact web site. You schools should have the answer

SKYSTHELIMIT · Jan 6, 2006

Oh believe me Melissa Financial aid is in my picture. For instance, the tuition is 25,000. I will receive federal financal aid totaling about 6500 plus stafford loans about 5000 plus maybe a scholarship of about 6,000. That means that the remainder needs to come out of my pocket about $8000, which is due at the beginning of the semester. My credit is terrible so I can't take out any alternative loans. They say that you are supposed to save the paid co-op monies to go towards the tuition, however, what will I use to pay rent, eat, provide for the kids. Feel me? That's why as much as I would like to attend Drexel, I will not put all my eggs in one basket but when it comes down to it if Drexel is the only one that wants me, I'm there and will figure the rest out later.

pedsnur2b · Jan 7, 2006

Hi

I am 25 and have 2 kids.....3 and 4 months. I have my bachelor's degree in marketing(walked across the stage when my oldest was 4 months) but haven't really used it since i graduated. I have always loved and been fascinated with the medicine but kept putting off returning to school. I guess you could call it "lazy." But my kids deserve a wonderful life and i feel nursing is the way to go. i mean u can't beat the flexibility and the great pay of being a nurse. I have to take my sciences for pre-reqs which starts soon so i hope all goes well. i have the support of my family so we'll see!!!

us women can do anything no matter our age or how many children we have! just stay focused! good luck to all!!!

and lee lee, have u looked into daycare on campus?

jrnow · Jan 7, 2006

Hi! I'm 34 with a 6 and 4 year old. I just separated from my husband a few months ago. I feel like I've been in a whirlwind. I've been a SAHM for the past 6 1/2 yers, and I wasn't even thinking about going back to school. I moved from SC to AL so that I would be near family and they could help me out. Although I have a degree in social work, I decided to attend a local community college and go through the ADN program. (I'm actually taking Human Anataomy I and II right now - and I won't know if I'm accepted until June 1). I would have loved to get my BSN, which wouldn't take much longer (there were a couple of schools that would allow me to get it in a year)- but this school is very close (30 minutes away) - and all the others are at least 1 1/2 hours away, plus alot more expensive. This way - my parents can help with my children - I don't know how I would have gone to school otherwise.

Hang in there!! I know it won't be easy - but know that there are others out there going through the same thing! :wink2: Best of luck!!!

Rachel

texas1011 · Jan 7, 2006

Hi Lee Lee, I know how you feel. I have a 6 month baby at home and have been out of work and school for quite some time. Even though you might feel out of place, trust me you are not the only one, there are alot of women out there that are also in the same exact situation as us. I suggest you get as much information as you can from online, schools, counslors, friends, other nurses, as much research as you can get and then you will feel more knowledgable on what you want to do and how to do it. Just take one step at a time, right now or later on it might seem alot to do, but always accomplish one thing first then the next. By the time you know it, you will be ready to start nursing school. I'm just about to start in Feb. so I know how hard it is to get started. I can't afford daycare, I have to have my aunt watch her and I don't feel comfortable doing that but I have no choice. Write to me if you have any questions... but financial aid does help, apply as soon as you can.... Take care and best of luck !!!!