Struggling to find the way: school, pre-divorce, low income

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I am an old woman:) 48 years old, living in IL with my children, 11 and 18 years old, unhappily married, planning for a divorce, currently having low wage job with which I can't afford to be independent financially from my husband. 

I can't figure out, if it is possible to go to nursing school, if I am studying I will not be able to do two jobs, which I will need to pay my bills when I am divorced.

I so much want to have higher education and qualification! I also consider myself very compassionate, so I think this would be a good profession for me and I grew up with a mother who was a nurse for many years, back in my homeland, so nursing is something dear and special to me. 

Any information and advice regarding my chances to go to nursing school in my difficult situation will be highly appreciated! 

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Hello ?

I am so sorry about your situation. I believe certain schools have programs hat can help you out ? also too I'd apply for scholarships as well. I wish you the best of luck ❤️ 

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Specializes in PCA, HHA.

don't feel badly I have been struggling with my pre-nursing programs as well having take several courses over again just cause I could simply not get into the swing of things the way I needed to. 

But if you really want this I truly believe god willing we can find a way.

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Thank you for your replies and encouraging words! ? ❤

I have actually applied in a community college and passed 2 prerequisite classes only, but everything is on hold at the moment.

I've realized, I have to divorce first, because the husband is not a support at all, he is even frustrated to see me studying at home...and you need to study hard for nursing school. I think, if I am on my own with the kids only, we can be as a team, they can help me with household chores for example and I will be more capable to study.. but, then again, if I am on my own, I need to overly work, so that I can pay rent and everything else. I worry, if I will have the time and strength to study. 

I might continue with small steps, (although at my age, I also do not have  time to waste:() -first CNA, then will try for LPN and, if it is not possible, it is what it is.

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Another 48-year-old here, divorced with four teenagers, one thing I didn't realize until after my divorce was that my now low income qualified me for a ton of aid financially.

I'm doing prerequisites or about to  for the third time - during the marriage as you say is difficult sometimes to do that, and I had to stop twice over 19 years to take care of him as well as the kids.

 

Now I'm trying to do the prerequisites plus whatever it takes to get my 25-year-old double bachelors degree from long ago up to a GPA that they want - I didn't realize that it didn't matter what you majored in the first time as far as GPA requirements anyway... My first degree was a double in computer science and neurocognitive psychology ... I don't have a 3.0 obviously, so I'm hoping that it won't take too many prerequisites to bring the overall GPA up to the level required for the accelerated BSN/RN program that I want to do, which would require only two more years after the prerequisites.

Just wanted to say it's definitely doable there's a lot of programs out there that I had no idea of, and I'm sure there's a ton more given the huge looming desperate crisis need for nurses that is going to be increasing every year.

 

If you and I have 20 more years of work then it's worth it to find a way to do it as a nurse.

 

?

It's more complicated doing this kind of thing at 48 though for sure than 18 ?.  Good luck!

 

Karen

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Thank you for your reply and encouragement! 

Your first degree is really impressive, with four children.. definitely it is a very high achievement. 

The lack of information, if there is a financial aid and the doubt, if one can afford to study, if she/he is a single parent, is what stops a lot of people, I believe. 

Lots of luck to you too in achieving your dream goals! ? ?♥

 

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Specializes in oncology.
On 4/10/2021 at 7:29 PM, Sveta said:

unhappily married, planning for a divorce, currently having low wage job with which I can't afford to be independent financially from my husband. 

If you end up as a single parent you will qualify for grants. Your husband will be required to pay child support. I have taught many single parents, and while money is tough, they can get through with the reasonable tuition of a community college.

On 4/13/2021 at 5:48 PM, SingingNurse said:

Just wanted to say it's definitely doable there's a lot of programs out there that I had no idea of, and I'm sure there's a ton more given the huge looming desperate crisis need for nurses that is going to be increasing every year.

Community colleges are designed around students who need extra help financially.

On 4/12/2021 at 5:27 AM, Sveta said:

I have actually applied in a community college and passed 2 prerequisite classes only, but everything is on hold at the moment.

Best wishes as you resolve your problems and achieve your nursing RN

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