Taking time off?????

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So I guess I need some advice. I'm almost done with the prereqs for the nursing school I want to go to. I'll be finished in the fall. After that I go straight to nursing school. But I've been stressing out. I realized that I just don't have any money saved up. My family is not in a good financial situation right now and I'm not even sure how to pay for books at this point. So financially, I'm not sure how I'll get through nursing school. I've already accepted that I'll have to work part time and the nursing school I'm going to is an accelerated BSN program.

I've also been contemplating nursing as a career choice in general. I keep going back in forth in mind wondering if this is the right path for me? I've looked at other careers in the medical field and none of them sound as exciting as nursing, but I'm just not confident that I'll make a good nurse.

Currently I'm working as a CNA at a homecare company and I enjoy the work I do but I'm only working weekends due to school so I haven't gained that much experience. I think maybe it's a good idea to take some time off before nursing school to save up money and figure things out before I just jump right into it. But my family keeps telling me that I'll never go back and that I wont make it.

Does anyone have any advice? Thoughts? Opinions? I'd really appreciate it I'm kind of lost right now. And in a time crunch with nursing school being so close after I graduate. :)

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Oncology.

Are you taking advantage of financial aid? That would be the first place I'd start. Also, keep an eye out for possible nursing scholarships that might be available to you.

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Specializes in PCT, RN.

Firstly, don't believe anyone who says you won't go back.

If you have the dedication and the desire, you will.

I was not a great student in high school. I just didn't like it. After I graduated, I went to a community college for a semester and did terrible, because once again, I didn't want to be there. I also was unsure WHAT I wanted to major in, just that I was constantly being pushed to go so I felt obligated. My family said the same thing when I announced my break from school but here I am, a few years later. My first two semesters of pre-requisites went extremely well, I had wonderful grades/GPA, made it onto the Dean's List both semesters and am in an honor society. I was dedicated because I knew what I needed to do and what it was going to take to get there.

Secondly, if you are unsure about nursing and you're contemplating taking time off, do it! Take the time off to work and save and think about what you truly want to do. You're wasting your time if you get halfway through the program and realize it's not for you.

You have some CNA experience in home health, try getting a PRN job at a hospital. They're totally different settings and you'll have a better feel for nursing in a hospital.

I wish you all the best!

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Specializes in Critical Care, Education.

Just a point of clarification - "accelerated" BSN programs are for people who already have a bachelor's or higher degree - is this your situation? If so, your access to traditional financial aid will be limited. If you don't have a previous degree, you will undoubtedly be eligible for financial aid, but you may only be qualified for a generic program which would be less expensive than an accelerated one.

Have you already been accepted into a nursing program? If not, this may turn out to be a lengthy process - during which, you will be able to work and stash away some cash.

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Specializes in Mental Health, Maternity & Well-Woman Care.

I am sort of in the same place as you (burnt out, I have not taken a semester off since 2013) so I can't offer anything useful suggestion/plan-wise... but I can say best of luck with whatever path you take :).

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I went to college straight out of high school and did terrible. I only lasted 2 semesters. Here I am now at 26 years old (that is a long break from when I quit college the first time) starting nursing school in August. It has not been easy- working full time, going to school full time, and having a family. Just because you take a break does not mean you wont go back.

Live like a peasant during your break and save, save, save so money wont be such an issue. There are plenty of scholarships available.

Good luck!

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Specializes in Pediatric.

I took FIVE years off after high school.

I've been a nurse now six.

You can do it!

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Thank you all so much for the advice! It's good to know that there are other people out there who have successfully gone back to school and done well. I think if your not in the right mind you wont succeed. Like right now I'm barely getting through the rest of these prereqs and they shouldn't be this hard. :( But anyway, I haven't looked into financial aid yet. I honestly don't know where to begin. And the BSN program I'm supposed to go to is a 2 year accelerated for those who have taken the prereqs at a different college. I've been looking into other nursing programs recently and there is a school close by that is way cheaper but they only have an RN program and an LPN bridge. Who knows maybe some time off would give me time to find better schools? :)

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