Single mother and nursing student

[lakeisha87]

I'm a single mother of three and I'm going to attend a Lpn program in January. Not working is not an option in my life (not that lucky). Will anyone who has been in my situation and have successfully completed the program give me some advice. I do not care to hear about how this is impossible because I know it has been accomplished before. I just really need good advice from personal experience. Thanks

[Alnitak7]

I know in some areas there are teaching hospitals that also offer child care to their employees.

I do not know if they would offer child care for their students.

I also do not know if they offer good or bad child care.

My experience with this was that my own child was not getting proper care when I was off at school and at work.

I also heard a rumor about one college where there was a nursing school where there was abuse in their day care room and it was serious.

I have heard of people waiting until their children are older to go to school or work.

[glamlpn]

what area do u live in?

[lillady04]

I am in the same boat as you are. I have 3 children and i am starting my lpn program in january.

[quirkystudent]

I have 2 kids, work 2 jobs, and go to the LPN program full time. I manage by having my mom watch them over nights so I can work and the one goes to daycare during the day while my other one and myself are at school. It's not impossible, difficult but not impossible. You really do need a good support system in place or it's next to impossible. Another girl in my class doesn't work during the week but pulls doubles on the weekends since her sister can watch her child then. I would suggest finding someone who is reliable to watch them, see when they can watch them, and try to schedule your shifts around the sitter. If you work nights take advantage of the down time to study.

[vintagemother, BSN, CNA, LVN, RN]

I graduate in a few days and am a single mom. I didn't work though. I received welfare and really struggled financially. I made it though. I know of people who do work full time and have children who have succeeded also.

[NurseQT]

I was a single mom of two very young kids (2 yrs and 6 weeks when the program started) when I went through the LPN program. My only job was in the school bookstore and it was only like 15 hours a week. My mom was a huge support for me, she helped with my kids every single night. I didn't have to worry about rent since we lived with my Mom. My financial aide went to paying my share of bills and buying groceries. I would never have been able to do it without my Mom. One of my good friends went through the program with me and she was a single Mom as well. She had no family to help her. She only worked very part time and lived off her financial aide, credit cards, and student loans. She also had government assistance. She and her daughter lived very frugally. It was hard but she did it! She now has her BSN, is the manager of a big dialysis clinic and in a relationship with a doctor she met while working in the hospital!