I would like some of your insight as to my current plan to become a nurse. Like all of us out there, I have several challenges to getting established in the career of nursing, but I think I might have found myself a solution. Could you be kind enough to review my plan and let me know if I'm missing anything, failed to consider anything, etc.? Any thoughts? I've obviously put a lot of thought into this, but, the over cautious person I am, I like to make sure I have all bases covered. Thank you. I look forward to reading your reactions.
Miya
My Current Situation:
I am a 25 year old single mother living in NYC. I work full time in an office (m-f, 9-5). My son is in pre-k/day care full time. I earned my Associate's degree in Journalism a few years back.
My Goal:
To get my BSN and begin a career as an RN
Barriers:
Schedule/Money: I must continue to work full time in order to pay bills and support my son. However, I cannot find any BSN programs in my area that are not in the evening/weekends.
I did find a weekend RN program, but the problems with that is that
1. it's pretty far from my home (can't get to Friday classes on time),
2. it's a 3 year program (not sure if i want to commit to 3 years, weekends only, for my AA), and
3. it's an AA and I'd like to get my BSN (so that I can go on to advanced degrees down the road)
My Solution:
I found an LPN program, 18 months long, weekends only, very close to my home/work.
I could complete that program and begin working as an LPN. Ideally, I would like to work late night/weekend shifts (perhaps in a hospital?). That way, I could have some days free to enroll in a part time BSN program (while my son is at school).
This will give me a decent paying job that will cover my expenses, get me into the field of nursing sooner rather than later, accomodate my schedule so that I can enroll in a BSN program, and even perhaps allow me a bit of time to still mother my son (which, ideally, I would like to do - take him to school in the mornings, pick him up in the afternoons, put him to bed most evenings)
Thank you, everyone, for so many great suggestions.
In response:
Someone mentioned relocating (HarryPotter?). I just relocated to be closer to my support system (i.e. my family), it wouldn't make much sense to move further away from the. I don't think that would help me much. That was only for that particular program (it's on the weekends, which is cool).
BETSRN - You mentioned going to school in the morning because my mother is home. That sounds great, but my son is already in school during the mornings, so child care isn't an issue. It's work. I still have to work full time to support my family. I don't have a spouse or a partner to help with my living expenses.
You're right, there are several different ADN programs. So, I have several options as far as schooling goes.
I think I'm just going to have to work it out somehow with my parents so that they can watch my son for me in the evenings while I am in class.
I'm not sure if finances will be a problem for me, school-wise. I qualify for financial aid and loans and I have no qualms about taking out loans. One hurdle at a time. :)
I don't know your financial situation, but it may be wise to work as an aid, unit clerk, phlebotomist, or tech in a hospital. You should discover w/in 6 months of being an aide if you'd like nursing... If you are sure you wnt to be a nurse, I would definetly recommend you go for your AD for your RN. Then you could get a FT job w/ a more flexible schedule, then complete your BSN, maybe even online. Also, you'll save alot of money by going the cc route vs a 4yr college. Good luck!!
miya
45 Posts
Thank you, everyone, for so many great suggestions.
In response:
Someone mentioned relocating (HarryPotter?). I just relocated to be closer to my support system (i.e. my family), it wouldn't make much sense to move further away from the. I don't think that would help me much. That was only for that particular program (it's on the weekends, which is cool).
BETSRN - You mentioned going to school in the morning because my mother is home. That sounds great, but my son is already in school during the mornings, so child care isn't an issue. It's work. I still have to work full time to support my family. I don't have a spouse or a partner to help with my living expenses.
You're right, there are several different ADN programs. So, I have several options as far as schooling goes.
I think I'm just going to have to work it out somehow with my parents so that they can watch my son for me in the evenings while I am in class.
I'm not sure if finances will be a problem for me, school-wise. I qualify for financial aid and loans and I have no qualms about taking out loans. One hurdle at a time. :)