Single Mom on the Fence about once again postponing school or quitting current job...

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Specializes in Pediatrics and Women's Health.

So...I'm trying to get any advice or help of any kind. I'm suppose to be starting my LPN program on the 20th of this month. In a nutshell, the same time I applied to my program I also was applying for jobs. I was unemployed since March 1st and was on unemployment but it wasn't enough to cover all the cost for bills. So I had to find something even if it was temporary to make ends meet. The day I got my acceptance letter I was ecstatic! I couldn't believe it because I didn't know if I would get in.

Two days later, I was offered to interview (through a temp agency) for a company near my home. They wanted me to do a "working interview" that week and offered me the temp position that Friday. All great, except they may offer me a permanent position and I won't know until September 12th. I may talk to the temp agency to follow up more on this know, but I want to make sure I word it properly to not put my foot in my own mouth. I shouldn't complain, I really should be grateful-which I am-but now I don't know what to do at this point. My job isn't paying all the bills so to speak but it is a paycheck, the job is simple, and it's a pretty good company to work for but my heart is nursing. I've been trying to become a nurse at the age of 16 and I turn 27 on the 29th.

However, I have a two year old son and I'm a single mom with only my income. No child support, wasn't placed on the section 8 waiting list and I get help from my Dad (when he can help). I know there has to be other options though. Before I continue, I can't get private loans and I am going to a tech school anyway so I'm unable to use federal loans to max them out for each semester. If I wait, I won't be able to start their part time evening class (and that is pending on the job keeping me) until September 2013. But I also have to be concerned about the hours at my job vs. the commute to school. I don't know what to do. All the other schools are at least 45 minutes to an hour (or more) away from home. This school is literally 5 mins from home and 30 mins from my job. Is there a way to try any home health/nurses's aide position during the beginning of school?

My c.n.a. license expired this past December so I have to challenge the FL BON to get my license again however, I do have a lot of medical background so I'm willing to give it a try to start looking for something else.

P.S.-We were advise not to work at all for the fulltime program at the LPN program (and I do believe they know best) however, I got to work! Bills don't pay themselves...

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If you don't do nursing now then you will either be older or keep wasting time. I am pretty sure you can find a part time cna and or hha position while you're in school. There are plenty of people out here that does it everyday and you can to girl so keep up the good work, follow your dreams, do not give up, and keep having back up plans god luck ;)

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I always say determination gets you where you want to go. Similar situation except I got a pell grant. Single mom here I actually maxed it out and my dad had to help pay for my last semester. I was pinned last night as an LPN and preparing for NCLEX. I've worked as a CNA in home health for over two years. I worked 20 hours a week and went to school FT. Little guy went to daycare and my parents watched him until I got home from school at night. I know other women who worked FT and did the program Ft while being the sole provider for their entire family. It's doable very hard I became accustomed to four hours of sleep a night and stayed stressed a lot. But the outcome is worth it. No social life as every free moment I had was or my son. He's missed me a lot and now is just excited to have me back during the week days. Stick to it and know that the hard times, weakest times to never give up on your dream.

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I agree, if you don't do it now, it might be years and years till you can do it. I worked two jobs and lived 1.5 hrs from school. also not a lot of sleep involved. I didn't have kids tho. Hopefully you can get your cna then should have an easier time finding work around your school schedule!

good luck

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I dont have kids so i cant offer any advise in that area BUT what i can tell u is that u have to do whats best 4 u & ur son. I knw ppl who worked & did nursing skool fulltime, 1 lady had 5 kids all under the age of 10 & it was just her & her mom & she graduated & is workin so it can be done. I myself could have been a nurse by now but i started working my Sr yr n Hs & 12yrs later Im still here! I kept puttin it off being blinded my $$$ & nt puttin all my time n2 buckling dwn w/skool & now @ the age of 29 im finally doing it! I made up my mind 2 focus on skool & if i got n2 a prog(failed RN skool w/a 74.80) i would do whatever it took 2 to prove 2 MYSELF i can do this! I got n2 a LPN program & was XCITED! That was the chance i needed & had been prayin & hoping 4 & then my manager told me n June that they couldnt work arnd my schedule(12 YR EMPLOYEE) b/c i am gonna b in class mon-thurs 8-3 & i was 38 hot & 4 a while decided 2 just keep working & save & then reapply 4 the fall nxt yr & hope i get accepted again which would b the easy thing 2 do BUT I CHOSE THE HARD THING 2 do & 2morrow im puttin n my 2 wk notice! Dont get me wrong i was scared out of my mind but it is all working out 4 my GOOD! I want 2 focus on nuthin but skool right nw. If u have to sign up 4 assistance then do it, go 2 ur dept of labor 2 find out abt the WIA prog i knw they help ppl in ur shoes out, go 2 ur church & talk 2 ur pastor 2 c if the church can offer any assitance BUT PLEEEAAAAAsSSSEEEE dont put it off or delay it any longer! Just think lk i do, its only 4 a yr! Challange ur board 2 get ur license reinstated, u can get a pct job & just wrk wknds. Whatever u decide let it be the decision u r ok with & wont beat urself up abt it w/the what ifs! & even if u do put it off so u cn wrk a lil while 2 save dont put it off 2 long! God opens up doors & will make a way 4 u just have faith & believe!

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This may sound silly BUT, could you maybe move in with your dad to lighten up on bills and maybe work part time just until you're done school hun? You don't want a job you want a career and I know how it feels to look for a job for months, fill out 100 applications and to only get a few calls and interviews, in nursing, you have many opportunities. See if you could get a cna job, they're usually easier jobs to get and could work around your schedule.

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Specializes in Med-Surg/urology.

Maybe you have some home health agencies around that just hire sitters(meaning you don't have to have a CNA certificate in order to work for them). The pay is a little less than a CNA, but it's a job & by being a sitter, you could bring your books to work possibly & study. Best of luck to you! I had a dear friend in school that was in a rough situation too, but she got the highest grades out of all of us!

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Specializes in Pediatrics and Women's Health.

Thanks all for the advice! I really appreciate it. I need a few days to think, pray and pray some more on this as I have been doing. I also am going to look up other part time jobs. @DivaLaJuicy that may have worked if he lived in the same state as I do (I'm in FL and he is in NY). So I won't be able to do that. If only life was so simple right? @ Nurse2bKimberly, I've been a Companion in the past. I haven't seen too many jobs out here like that though. I did it for about a year and a half and it was completely convienient when I was in college doing pre-reqs. @ejm123 I'm very determined but I also have to be smart. My determination and drive got me ahead of myself once before and I'm paying for it now. That's why I want to make sure, if not everything, that some things are in order especially for my son. I don't have family out here, only some friends. I definitely not looking to uproot myself or my son again (been there, done that), and we have finally settled in a decent home and area. I'm just trying to keep as much familiarity and normalcy as much as I can for him. @Mrsladysoul83-thank you! I'm definitely keeping the faith and reading what you said had to take me back to that. One thing I know for sure is God does nothing half way. He has a plan for me. Although I may not see it, He has everything under control.

Any other suggestions are really appreciated. As I mentioned before, I'm going to see if there is anything hospital, nursing home, home health agency wise that I can find out here. I've done this route before but I'll give it another shot to see if I have a better chance this time around.

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I think u should do it I am 33 with so many regrets I keep putting it off and putting it off! But finally I decided to set myself a strict budget no take out, no new clothes and shoes only free activities for the kids! cut the cell phone bill in half and next is the cable bill all so I can make it through school and i am a mother of 6! although I have a husband this is going to be a very big sacrifice because we really need two incomes! But i feel like its now or never. so go 4 it!( Nobody told me the road would be easy but I dont believe he brought me this far 2 leave me! My motivation song by mary mary)! Good luck!

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Well maker sure you keep us updated on your decision and also remember that everything happens on Gods time and not your time, it may not always be what we want, but he has a plan and his way is always the right way it will happen when the time is right good luck :)

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Pray pray pray to Him! He is your best resource! Ask for the spirit of discernment and a moment of clarity....everything we're saying to you matters but at the end of the day Faith and his Favor are required! Don't quit school! Challenge the board and reinstate that certification and work part time...but please don't give up sistah :hug:

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I see you have a lot of advice...but I want to throw my opinion in here! I'm a working mother of 2 children, I'm not single but my part of the income is also important to the running of our household, and have to work. I started a part time LPN program several months ago...I was able to rearrange my working schedule to meet my school needs (I work doubles on the weekend, every employer loves it when you work weekends!) I get almost all of my working hours in on those 2 days...then I have 2 days during the week that I work when I'm not in school, and it gives me over 40 hours a week and provides the money we need while still allowing me study time for school, and time to go to school itself. I won't lie, it sucks sometimes I miss my family a lot because all I literally do is work and go to school. But I'm showing my children that hard work WILL pay off, and obviously it's all worth it in the end. I'm turning 27 in 2 months, and I don't regret waiting so long to get back to school because I'm much more mature and disciplined now than I was when I was younger...money's tight when you're barely making ends meet, but you see a light at the end of the tunnel when you finally decided to go to school! You can't regret it! Good luck and I hope you decided to chase your dreams like I did, you're so relieved and happy when you finally do it. :)

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