Wanting to do this.. but not sure how? a bit of a crisis

[bluejeanbebe]

Hello everyone!

Bit about me- I already have a Bachelor's in a science, but unrelated to nursing, field. I also have a full-time job/career. But I am very unhappy with it and certainly don't want to do this forever. Currently I am unmarried and have no children- which as it pertains to this, may be a good to bad thing. I have decided that I would like to go to school to pursue an ADN to become an RN, particularly in NICU, and maybe even become a Traveler one of these days (that last part is just a maybe- guess it depends on if I'm ever able to settle down at some point). My dilemma is nursing school- I have already talked with a counselor with the local community college and know what I have to do to apply to get in and such. I only need one pre-req course (A & P) before I can apply to get in. I can take it online this fall and continue to work. After finishing that, I can apply for NS, but would have to wait for the Fall 2010 class.

What I'm worried about is the finances- I have a pretty good job, but have alot of responsibilties that I alone have to take care of (mortage, etc). I'm pretty sure that I could save up for the cost of NS between now and next fall. And of course, there are scholorship and financial help available- a hospital nearby has a scholarship that you can apply for that is full-ride for NS, with a one-year employment commitment to the hospital once you are done with school. So there's that- but I'm thinking- what about living expenses? I can't imagine just stop working and going back to school. I'm in my late 20's, so I'm not being supported by my parents, nor do I have a husband to support me; how do people do this? When I asked the counselor if it was possible to continue working, even if just on a small, part-time basis while in school, she looked at me like I was crazy and said that it really wasn't a good idea, nor possible and that the program is really that intensive that you just don't have the time to work. So I don't know what to do. A friend of mine that I went to college with, also went back to school to become an RN, but she just moved back in with her parents and I guess was more or less supported by them while she went to school. My parents live out of state from me, so getting into a program near them would be kind of iffy, and our relationship over the years has been a bit strained, plus mom is going back to school for teaching, she's seperated from my step-dad, it's all a bit unstable at the moment; so long story short, I'm sure my mom would love to have me, but I'm not so sure that it's a good idea, nor really possible. I'm also worried about insurance! What about that!? If you aren't working, nor have a husband to carry you on his insurance, how do you have insurance while in school? ahhhhhhhh!

And I guess my last concern would be balancing my desire for pursuing this career and having a family someday. I'm not sure if I should do this now, and push back having a family later; or should I continue what I am doing with my current job, hopefully meet someone and settle down and have a family and then go to NS later? Which would be harder? NS later or kids later? I'm just so afraid that if I go after this now, that, say 5-6 years down the road, when I go to start trying for a family, that conceiving is less probable, and I've given up my chances of having a family for the desires to be a nurse. It's not like I can start a family ~this second~ anyway- but these are the things I worry about.

I would appreciate any advice. Thanks so much. :)

[vbmedic52]

Hey,

I'm kind of in the same boat you are. Although I have a significant other who could possibly help support some things, ( not my car payment)......My significant other also went to nursing school while working full time, so it is possible. She didn't even take off time. Anyways, I think you will be fine. They don't "like it" that you work full time or at least close to it, but I am sure it could work...anything is possible if you want it bad enough! Plus you are soooo close! I say do it! :) Good luck!!!! I am taking AP this fall too!

Helen

[bluejeanbebe]

thanks vbmedic52- how do people still work full time? unless they just worked somewhere that had really flexible hours or their NS was at night? my school is a day-time course- so i'm not sure how that would work?

[JasmDasm]

I'm with you. Single mom, doing pre-reqs, working full-time. I am going to apply for the evening NS program. They really want you to focus on school, so they will discourage you to work. But I think it is completely do-able. Talk to your boss, see if you can move some hours around, so you can head back to school. Ask if working some nights are an option. If not, you may need to look into working retail or something similar, where they are always looking for evening shift people. Definitely apply early to financial aid and scholarships, so you know where to stand and how much you need to pay out of pocket or for loans. Other than that, save every penny you can! Being a single mom, it's REALLY hard to save. I pay my rent, bills, car, groceries, etc., with no help. But when I get my tax return, I don't touch it. So that if for some reason, nursing school really gets hard and I absolutely need to focus on ONLY that, I can leave work and still cover my bills for a semester or two. As far as health insurance, that is a toughy. Check into COBRA, last I checked, Obama lowered its costs to make it more affordable for everyone.