Unsure on which route to take with nursing career.

1lollipop · Sep 28, 2008

Hello All! :heartbeatI don't know what to do!! I am a 24 y/o future nurse.I am currently in community college finishing up my pre-req's and hoping to get into a nursing program by next semester of fall '09. I have a 1yr old son, single parent. Nursing school is expensive I dont know how I will make it thru without taking out loans cuz u cant really work FT.

I just recently had some circumstances beyond my control happen and now I have to withdraw out of my micro class . I am also afraid I this will set me back. I want to do this and finish before my son turns 4 (that's my goal).I have a huge support system, and my son father is still in his life even though we are no longer together. So the time is now while the help is here.

I am also serving in the Army Reserve and my contract ends in Aug of 09 . I dont want to be selfish to my son by staying in and possibly deploying but at the same time I dont want to struggle and run into massive debt.The reserve is offering me 15,000 to stay in for another 6 yrs. Im scared I dont know what to do I just want to do what is best for us....I do really want to be a nurse though. I eventually want to be a FNP but im not sure if I should do an ADN or a BSN. I have a job as a CNA and overall, I love it ....Plz help me out ...Thanks

Here's what I would do in your situation. I would say to apply to BOTH ADN and BSN programs. Continue working as a CNA (try to work at a hospital--you might get lucky and find one who'd pay for your education). Once you receive your acceptance letters (it's tougher to get into the ADN programs than the BSN programs, just to give you a heads up), then choose the first school that accepts you, and take out loans. I think private schools are better b/c there's less B.S. to put up with, and there's more academic support, but the choice is yours. Attend school part-time while working full-time. Many places pay for your education, so that might be a major incentive for you, esp. since you have a little one to support. If you are able to have someone else care for your son while you go to school full-time and work part-time, then that might help you reach your goal faster. Maybe you can convince the child's father to hold on to the kid, so you can finish school and later make good money, or maybe your family/friends can help (maybe you can split up who your child stays with among different people if you have to). Otherwise, go as a part-time student, and you'll reach your goal eventually. I admire your determination. Follow your heart. Like I said before, apply to a lot of programs and pick the school after the acceptance letter(s) come in. Good luck! :wink2: