What should I do!!

[MS_Woods]

Hi there everyone!

I'm in a bit of a dilemma. Here's my story...I'm 26. I've finished my pre-reqs. I just got on the well pulicized 2 year wait list at Phoenix College. It should be easy enough to decide and wait out the two years...but time is ticking I'll be 31 by the time I graduate from PC. Also time is money...like the Apollo rep said. "By the time I get into PC I would be out of Apollo and making money" Yes with a huge student loan to pay off. Do I go to Apollo College and actually finish in two years?

I can't seem to discuss this with my family, they always ask me when I'm going to be done. I tell them another 2 years (not including the 2 year wait). My cousin recently graduated from Pima and got a job at a hospital (in just over two years). My Uncle (her dad) asked my mom why I was taking so long. Since I had been in school longer than her. She has 60,000 in student loans but, she's an nurse and working while I'm still not making end meet.

So what if I decide to wait the 2 years and then I get in. I would have to quit working. How do I bring in money? Student loans? So in turn by the time I'm done waiting 2 years, do 2 years of clinicals and take out enought money to support myself...it could possibly end up being the 46,000 for the two quick years at Apollo. :innerconf

Sooo...what would you guys do? I know I'm still young but I want to start a career and be able to support myself. I know the price tags are starkly different and length of time if a factor...I would just like some insight. I have only talked to my mom and boyfriend about this and they've told me to go with the community college since it's cheaper but then on the other hand when I tell them about the wait list their faces change a bit.

Any words of Hope? Wisdom? Experience?

Thanks for listening guys... :thankya:

[quotetheraven]

Hi, you know it's hard right now for many of us to know what to do. The economy is very tough. I am fifty-four, and have probably another year to go to get in; I am on the waiting list as well. I would really hesitate, to accumulate large debt right now. New grads are having a rough time getting jobs, even experienced nurses are having some hard times. When people speak of a nursing shortage; they are referring to trained, experienced nurses, not new grads. Schools are spitting out tons of those, all over the country. I think I would not want a huge debt to pay off, counting on going right to work and making top pay. Till the economy turns around and starts an unhill move, I am afraid you could find yourself with a lot of outgo without the income to handle it. It's hard to wait, I feel time passing as well, but hey, waited this long to have the time, empty house (kids grown and gone) and the ability to live on just my husbands pay; small as it is. lol. I would rather wait, and not have the student loans rolling in; in an uncertain economy. Taking some spanish classes, not required for the nursing program, but living in a large spanish speaking state, seems very worthwhile. Keeping fresh with the A and P text, know there is a big test on that during the first semester. Keeping my mind active. Don't know if you have the ability to not work and continue with education while you wait, but if you do, it may be something to consider. Take care and the best to you..

[shannahan]

Hi Quote - I'm an older student too, 47. The economy is exactly why I took on Apollo's high tuition. We were wiped out - house foreclosed on, husband's business dwindled down to next to nothing. The industry I worked in for years changed dramatically and I couldn't make much money anymore. My experience was in one area so I was basically unmarketable. My reasoning is we had pretty much lost everything - let's just go for it and see what happens. Sacrifice for 2 years then I will have the degree. The one thing I *couldn't* do was drag school out for 4 or 5 years.

I am confident when I graduate I will get a job. Even if I can't get hired on at a hospital, as an RN I will find something - a doctor's office or whatever. I will be marketable again. I have found in life, if you step out and go for something you really want, things usually come together.

I get what you're saying though, for your situation since you didn't have a huge emergency like I did.

[Trina0606]

OMG!!! This is exactly what i went through for the 1 1/2 years i was on the waiting list for MCCD. I went through all of the same scenarios in my head. I was FINALLY accepted in March when they ran placement and I will be starting in the fall. Honestly i am happy i waited it out. Every semester i just told myself... "just stick it out one more semester to see if you get in" and before i knew it i was in. I took classes that made me feel a little closer to nursting school like Healthcare Spanish and that helped. I totally understand the want for the money now...but like as you know going to apollo will also increase the amount you have to pay back monthly after school because of the huge loans you will have to take out. I also waited because I know that the community colleges have a great RN-BSN transfer program with ASU. I dont know if apollo does or not. Anyway, long story short just stick to your first instinct because its usually right. If you do decide to wait it out you will be fine. If you go to apollo that fine also. Either way you will eventually be a nurse!!!

Goodluck!

[HJS27]

While you are waiting I highly recommend taking Pathophysiology. And learn the heck out of it...take it twice if necessary to master it.

http://classes.sis.maricopa.edu/index.php?keywords=HCR+240&all_classes=true&terms[]=4096&terms[]=4102&institutions[]=CGC08&institutions[]=EMC10&institutions[]=GWC03&institutions[]=GCC02&institutions[]=MCC04&institutions[]=PVC09&institutions[]=PCC01&institutions[]=RSC06&institutions[]=SCC05&institutions[]=SMC07&start_hour=any&end_hour=any&subject_code=any&instructors=

[MS_Woods]

Good ideas! I'll take both of those classes this fall. The Spanish class is a great idea! and you say patho, I'll take it! I decided to wait it out...I applied for the fast track LPN program that starts in Jan. Since I should still be waiting by the time I finish and if I do get picked I'll defer...then be eligible to jump into block 3! I think that sounds good and I'll be doing something with myself while on the wait list.

[Marlene39]

You already applied? I thought applications weren't being accepted until October. Was it the Gateway program?

[MS_Woods]

In my head I've applied. Sorry, I meant I talked to the advisor at Gateway and showed here all my paper work (NET scores, nurse assistant certificate, etc...). Said I'm good to go and I have to come back the first week of September to get the app. Thanks you Marlene for the great information! Hopefully we'll be classmates!