Should I go back to school?

[Pinksnowflake]

Hello everyone and Happy New Years. I am a single mom in my mid thirties, a decade ago before children I quit school. I had enough units to get a Pre nursing associates degree with a 4.0 in the required courses, only a 3.5 overall. When I became a mom I dropped out of school, now a few years and a few kids later I've found myself pondering if I should go back or not. I have mostly bounced on and off of welfare because keeping a job with little kids and no support is rough! However they are now old enough to all be in school grades 1-4. I have been out of work since the preschool I was working at closed last summer. I have also worked part time as a nursing assistant, non licences, a secretary and at a temp agency.

I guess I am worried that my good grades from years ago will not be enough to make me competitive for a nursing school because I have a poor work history. I have been fired numerous times for not finding Childcare when my kids were sick. I also don't have any references since I was last in school so long ago.

Right now I'm pondering going into a LPN progra if my tax refund is enough to pay the whole tuition. Are there any year long LPN degrees that cost less than 5 K? I don't think I can get federal loans again as I foolishly maxed out on them as a teenager!

[Pinksnowflake]

Well I maxed out on loans between the ages of 19 through 21. Are there any bachelors program's known for giving full tuition scholarships? I really wish I could continue off where I was years ago but it seems unlikely that most schools would take all my classes. Is there any type of program that might better suit my needs? I am really tired of being out of work and having to go back on welfare, getting laid off etc and wish I had a degree to fall back on!

[Peanut&Buttercup]

Check into your state's WIA program. There may be money available to help you with school. The WIA program here paid tuition and books for two semesters for me.

[NurseKellyKMo]

I agree with Peanut Butter Cup. In Kansas we have an amazing program called KHPOP. It pays for school, transportation costs like gas, books, childcare, uniforms, etc. That program was based at our local workforce development Center. You would have to find out if your state has a program like that. With the forecasted shortage of nurses, most states should have a good program for helping people get training. So look for a local Workforce Development Center, or program called Workforce Investment Act (WIA). I wish you luck in your endeavors!