Single mom going to nursing school. Is it possble?

[sahmwannabe]

Hello. I have lurked here a little to see what I could learn and I have learned a lot. I do have a degree in Marketing already so I have most of my core out of the way. I am a single parent with a nine (soon to be ten) year old. I have a house and a car. Is it possible to go back to school full time with grants/scholarships/loans? I have heard that the local hospital will pay for nursing school (not sure yet what all they do pay) if you work there for two years after graduation. I could sell my house. I am not really crazy about that idea, but I can do it. I could get a less expensive apartment I suppose. I could work some during school too. I doubt seriously I could live in an oncampus apartment with a child too.

I have been reading too about nurses having to work during non school hours too. That worries me a little. I guess I should try not to worry about that right now!! I could meet someone too so my singleness may not be forever!! My exhusband does live about two hours away so he is not readily available to help.

Any advice/help is greatly appreciated. Thank you and I hope I posted this in the right place :nuke:

[FLJosie]

congrats! any advice?

[nvsmom]

I was searching for posts like this...I am a single mom of 2...about to embark on my journey soon!

CONGRATULATIONS!!!! This is very uplifting!

[oklahomagal]

Wow! I had forgotten I had posted this =) I did it! I graduated last month and am awaiting a date for nclex. Thank you so much!

I just searched for single mom and this thread came up. I am so glad I did! I was really wanting to know your outcome SAHMWANNABE. Thanks for updating this thread! I am so proud to see that you made it!:yeah:

[jlima]

How inspiring!! I'm a single mom of two (ages 5 and 7) and my ex-husband is totally out of the picture. I've been working on my pre-reqs for the past two years! I applied last semester and got denied and will reapply next month. It's so discouraging when you're working towards entrance and struggling to raise kids. I want a part time job but not sure what type is flexible enough with kids and school. I love to read stories like yours because it keeps me motivated

[blanchlc23]

Hello all, I am a single mom of a 2 yr old and am seperating from active duty air force and going into the air national guard to go to school for nursing. I have about 5 classes of pre-reqs left before I can apply for the nursing program (will take me about 18 months to complete). I will be working a full time day-job and will be OK supporting both my son and myself while I am working on my pre-reqs, but my ultimate worry is "What will I do when/if I get accepted into the program?!" I do not have any family support here in my town or anywhere close. I really do not want to work while in the program as studying and book-work is my weak point. I really don't like school but I really want this. I have heard of college grants, WIC, Housing and Day care assistance, but is it possible to get a loan from a bank for about $50,000 to use as "income" for two years? I can live off about 2300 a month with assistance and government help. I am just wondering what some of you think because I haven't seen a post yet about a single mom and not working and not having a family support system. My alternate plan (in case i couldnt get a loan) was to just to work full time and get an LPN liscense online and some of it through class and eventually make my way up to RN, but it seems like that could take years and years... Any input would be GREAT!!!

[nvsmom]

Hello all, I am a single mom of a 2 yr old and am seperating from active duty air force and going into the air national guard to go to school for nursing. I have about 5 classes of pre-reqs left before I can apply for the nursing program (will take me about 18 months to complete). I will be working a full time day-job and will be OK supporting both my son and myself while I am working on my pre-reqs, but my ultimate worry is "What will I do when/if I get accepted into the program?!" I do not have any family support here in my town or anywhere close. I really do not want to work while in the program as studying and book-work is my weak point. I really don't like school but I really want this. I have heard of college grants, WIC, Housing and Day care assistance, but is it possible to get a loan from a bank for about $50,000 to use as "income" for two years? I can live off about 2300 a month with assistance and government help. I am just wondering what some of you think because I haven't seen a post yet about a single mom and not working and not having a family support system. My alternate plan (in case i couldnt get a loan) was to just to work full time and get an LPN liscense online and some of it through class and eventually make my way up to RN, but it seems like that could take years and years... Any input would be GREAT!!!

You can do it! You just have to spend some time researching all of your options. There are many single parents out here who have used government aid to help them. It really depends on the state you live in on how well that works. Here in CA, the government makes many grants, scholarships, and fee waivers available to students with low incomes in addition to WIC, aid with food, and reduced or free childcare. There are also some weekend programs around the country, so you should check that out too. You can get a loan from the bank to cover the costs of school and your living expenses...though I don't think you would also qualify for a lot of government aid. I am saying that because I worked with an income of almost $2800 a month and once that happened, I was placed on transitional government assistance for 3 months, then I was off of government aid. The only thing I was able to get was reduced child care. I would find a weekend program in your state, or relocate to one if you can.

[KimQCRNA]

I am a single parent as well, however I was already a nurse when I became single again. My boys were 1 & 4. Now they are 22 & 25. My heart goes out to moms (and dads) that want to raise decent human beings as well as provide a loving home while being a productive member of society AND a great nurse. Every one of us has a story. Please google "Too Much Luggage", the true story of a single mom that became a CRNA while raising her kids. I just finished it. Wow!! Inspiring stuff........especially for anyone wanting to do CRNA school and thinking "there's NO way..."

[PCroizier]

I am not a single mom but my husband is also in school and we live far away from family so we have no extra support. In order to go to school we applied for county welfare this gives us the cash grant of about 700 dollars each month as well as 500 dollars in food stamps. Going to school to county welfare also pays for the majority of our books and gives us a cash stipend in order to pay for transportation. From the school there is the pell grant of 5500 each year and student loans ranging from 3500 to 4500 depending on how many credits you have at school. Also being on county welfare give us a child care assistance where both of our small children who are 1 month and 2 years can go to daycare at no cost to us. Adding together we have enough for a 2300 monthly budget and don't work. Since there is two of us we get twice the grant and loans where you would only get one of each leaving probably a 9,000 shortage per year compared to us. You could make this up with a very part time job or a bank loan. We do things that limit our budget severely so that we can actually go to school without working. For example we attend community college where to tuition is paid for by waivers, we all 4 live in a 1 bedroom for cheaper rent and we share 1 car. Even though we're taking out loans and we have to be on welfare which is sort of embarrassing it's definitely the best choice that we made for our children thus far since after school we will be able to pay for everything without any assistance.

[Mslecia20]

what program is that???

[PCroizier]

Im in california and its called calworks welfare-to-work. I am in an education training segment because nursing is considered training directly related to employment. It is really involved but if you want to know more than what I previously posted pm me.