What Would You Do If You Had My Life?

GaMBA · May 31, 2009

I'm a single mom of a 2-yo and currently doing option A, working as a CNA while finishing up my prereqs for an RN program. Originally I had planned to get my LPN first, and had even finished the prereqs for it, but ultimately decided to forgo the LPN and go straight for the RN (preferably BSN). My reasoning was that I didn't want to be out of the work force and out of income for the year it would take me to become an LPN, only to have limited job opportunities available to me, none of which I was really interested in. I don't have anyone to support me and my child but me, and I don't want to take out loans for living expenses during an LPN program when I know I'll have to take them out again for an RN program. I preferred to just bite the bullet, start taking the RN prereqs, and hopefully be able to get into an RN program that will allow me to be able to work at least a little while going thru the program. THe LPN program at the school I was looking at is M-F 8a-3p. I don't have people that could watch my kid every weekend or overnite while I work, so the LPN school schedule wasn't optimal for me (hence the probability of loans). I need daytime M-F employment. There are BSN programs in my area where you go to class and clinicals 2 to 4 days a week. There's even a part-time BSN program, meaning I can possibly work full-time and go to school at the same time, and still be done in 2.5 yrs. I'm hoping I'll be able to get my RN and come out of this whole thing with very little school loans. It may take a little longer for me to eventually become a nurse, but I'll hopefully be able to get into areas of nursing that interest me and I won't have a mountain of nursing school student loans to worry about. Plus I'll be getting some healthcare experience and exposure in the meantime (which has been extremely beneficial for helping me to see if this is a career/industry I want to get into).

Ultimately, it all depends on what your goals are and what you are willing to sacrifice and do. If getting the LPN will provide you the opportunities you'd like, then shoot for that right now. But if you do your research and decide that the LPN won't put you where you'd like to be, then consider forgoing it and going straight for the RN.

nkara, CNA · May 31, 2009

I can tell you all about dilemmas! I had a full time, very stressful job during the day, and was taking pre-req ADN classes at night. After 14 years on the job, corporate came and shut down my terminal due to budget cuts, leaving me unemployed. I decided to go to school full time to get my RN degree. Two weeks after losing my job, my husband of 6 years decides he doesn't want to have to pay the bills himself, so he walks out on me for the girlfriend he'd been seeing. Forget the fact that I supported him the first 2 years of our marriage.
So here I am, single, unemployed, over $3000 a month in bills, one kid in college, and I just got accepted to nursing school. My unemployment runs out next week. I'm grooming dogs to try and pay the bills, and every month is a stress nightmare. I'll get financial aid to help, but only enough to cover the cost of school. Thanks to my ex, my credit is shot for another two years. I have no idea how I'm going to survive this next semester, but I'll do it. Somehow. Suggestions?
I'm applying to an area hospital for one of their scholarships...they pay for your school, and you commit to work for them for 6 months for each semester they pay for...does anyone have any advice about these? I'm going into CNA training next month at the same hospital, to get my foot in the door and get experience. They pay you while they train you. I figure I can work at the hospital Monday thru Friday, then groom Saturday. That'll get me thru the summer.
On a lighter note, my ex's girlfriend dumped him the day we signed the divorce papers. My life may be a nightmare, but revenge is sweet.

My situation was almost similar. I left my husband and moved back home. Rented an apartment and then bought a house. I was working as a mortgage underwriter for the past 20 years... well we all know where that went. I was laid off from the last two mortgage companies and couldn't get a job in that field anymore. So I lost my house, car, etc. I decided I would get my CNA license and start over. So I ended up moving again... have my CNA license and lucked out with a job in a hospital. After seeing I can handle this job I decided to get my RN license. I'm now in pre-req classes and hope to finish within 5 years.. I'm working full time nights so I'm taking my time. Plus I don't want to give myself more stress by trying to cram in more classes than I can handle. I want to pass and understand the information. So I would say option A for the original question. You will gain experience. :up:

shocker29 · May 31, 2009

To the ladies contemplating nursing school going through struggles, especially with kids:

I know we are getting off of the subject a little, but I think that it is important that you know that this is very doable. Regardless of what anyone thinks of your family situation.... I have three kids... started college when the youngest was 5 weeks old... spent 3 years in a major that was pretty much worthless. Then I switched to nursing. Got my CNA license the summer before, so I could work as a CNA while in school (invaluable experience). During nursing school (BSN program), I worked full-time, went to school full-time and raised three beautiful kids. Almost got divorced (apart for a year), flipped my car on the highway, lost my financial aid, husband had to go on disability, etc. I know that I had more than a little help from "Above," but the point is that you are only limited to achieving what you limit yourself to. I hate nothing more than people telling me what I "can" and "can't" do. Things seem rough, but you'll make it through if you are dedicated enough. Don't give up girls. You can do it with kids. (By the way, now I am working on my Master's.)