Single Mom Starting Over....

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Hi everyone,

I am a 35 year old single mom of two young kids that has decided it is time to make a career for myself that will provide stability for myself and my kids. I have toyed with nursing for the past few years and finally gotten up the nerve to actually look into what my options are as far as schooling and get the show on the road. I currently work full time, and have become a little discouraged as to what my options are.

I live in the suburban Philadelphia area. Is anyone aware of a 2 year program that allows its students to do atleast some of the coursework online, or a program that offers night/weekend courses? I have looked into DCCC but they are not accepting anymore applicants for Fall 2008. I am wondering if it is possible to do some of the "regular" courses now, and then do the nursing portion when their 2009 program starts?

Any advice you could give me would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

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Holy Family University has a program for a BSN that can be done at night and on weekends.

I did my prerequisites at Community College of Philadelphia at night and on the weekends while working full time. Most of them I could take in the northeast, but a few I had to do downtown at 17th and Spring Garden Sts.

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Not sure if your interested in LPN but CAT Brandywine has a night program. I know a few that just graduated from there.

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Abington/Dixon SON has a night and weekend program. It is a diploma program and highly regarded in our area. They also have a loan forgiveness program if you work for them after you graduate. I took all my prereqs at BCCC then it is 2 years at Dixon.

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I went to DCCC and when I decided to go into nursing, I was too late for admission that year. So I took my prerequisites while I waited to get in the following year. I also took the NET test while I waited. DCCC has a great program and a great reputation. Also, even though the program is considered full-time days, you only attend class twice a week and 6-hour clinical days twice a week. You have one day off. The class is about 1 hour and 50 minutes long. Whether or not you get in depends on your NET test scores - they only have a certain number of seats for each program (day or evening/weekend), so they'll take the top scoring applicants as they go down the line.

Good luck! Just remember, no matter how long it takes, the time is going to pass one way or another!

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Jenny,

Thanks so much for your feedback. I saw that you have your Yahoo screen name on your profile here. Would you mind if I contacted you there to pick your brain some more? I just started my pre-nursing stuff this summer, and am actually really enjoying it. I didn't want to just add you on Yahoo without asking your permission first. Thanks again!!

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I actually never go on Yahoo IM but if you want to PM me here through the message board, I'd be happy to answer any other questions you have. :)

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Thanks so much, I do have a question for you actually regarding the NET. I just read something last night about the Reading Comp part of the test. Is it true that you read the passage and then go to the next screen to answer the questions, without the ability to go back and reference the passage you just read? The don't remember where I read that, perhaps it was for a different school. I am supposed to sit for the NET on Wednesday, and if that is the case... I'm up a creek without a paddle. Thanks in advance!

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Not sure if your interested in LPN but CAT Brandywine has a night program. I know a few that just graduated from there.

I have to say I'm a bit ignorant when it comes to the field of nursing... I'm still learning. What kind of jobs are out there these days for LPNs? I know back in the day it was hard for them to find jobs.... I wonder what the case is now with level of education being such a big factor these days. Thanks for your feedback!

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Abington/Dixon SON has a night and weekend program. It is a diploma program and highly regarded in our area. They also have a loan forgiveness program if you work for them after you graduate. I took all my prereqs at BCCC then it is 2 years at Dixon.

The wife of a guy that I work with just graduated from there I believe. I hear it's a great program, however it's a bit of a hike from me in Chester County. Thanks for your response though.. it's greatly appreciated!

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HI!!

i saw someone posted about abington hospital's dixon school of nursing, i went there and graduated in 2006. i did the day program, but i have a friends that did the evening weekend program which works out well if you have a full time job or alot going on in your life. i took my pre-reqs at Manor College, I loved it there. you could also try mont county community college, its a little cheaper. i liked manor college bc its a nice small school and the class sizes are alot smaller. its not too expensive either, they have a great nursing program. and the dixon school of nursing is awesome. they really prepare you for becoming a nurse. its one of the best schools around, especially with all the clinical hours you get doing hands on training instead of just sitting in a classroom all the time. its alot of work, really hard, but any nursing school will be. i got over 1000 clinical hours just in nursing school, i would highly recommend their school, though they only accept about 100 students each yr. good luck with everything. i hope this helps!

donna

also, dixon is really good for the price too. i didnt have to pay a dime for school until afterwards. if you work at abington hospital after you graduate, for two yrs, you dont have to pay for your school, or you can pay it back six months after you graduate, only 100 dollars a month, which is nothing once you're making your nursing salary.

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