I was just accepted into nursing school. An LVN program in TX. Is there any advice anyone can give me about getting through nursing school???How do I cope with work?? and bills?? Should I roomate or renta place alone?? Please help. I have heard so many horror stories and I am scared.
206260
My one major piece of advice is to manage your time and plan ahead. Plan your week out in advance and set aside time to study and stick to that schedule. It's best to find a job that is related to nursing. Many hospitals offer tuition reimbursement if you agree to work for them once you graduate. That can help with your expenses. As for living arrangements, I would find a roommate that is also in your LVN program. Otherwise you might find it difficult to get quiet time to study if your roommate doesn't understand the pressures of nursing school. Don't be afraid to get low interest school loans to help with bills while you're in school. There are also lots of financial aid programs that not only help with tuition, but living expenses as well. Use the financial aid office at your school for more resources. You can also check with your school about jobs on campus. And don't forget to apply for every scholarship that you qualify for!
99125
Just a personal point. Do not rush your choice on which facility you place your family member in.Do your research.Make sure you visit the facility and try talk to people who have had family their. Watch how the staff interact with residents and check with your ministry of health and long term care to see if the facility has had complaints or violations.It is difficult enough to have to make this decision. My family had to face this decision and were not given enough time  when we picked a place for our father.We had a choice of a place 15 minutes away we could visit frequently and another about 1 1/2 hours away. It was heartbreaking to see what our father endured.We put our concerns in writing and set up meetings to try have issues addressed.Chronic bed shortages made relocation a nightmare.Do not be dismayed though. You would think that since the government licenses these places the re would be a uniform standard of care.NOT TRUE.There are good nursing homes out there with caring staff and good programs. Our family did not have the luxary of time to research a place. It is my one regret  that my dad died  surrounded by people who didn't care. Good luck to you and don't sign until you feel it is your best choice. been there, I know
442220
OMG! I want to be a nurse too and in peds too! I know in Cali there are community colleges that offer classes for becoming an RN and it takes about 4 years. You first have to do your pre-requisits and then sign up after those are done, into the nursing program. Then from there you take such classes as anatomy, biology, sociology, etc. But I have to warn you, if you don't think you can do it now then you might not be able to later. There is a 40% drop out rate, so you have to be very determined. I personally love blood and guts but for the life of me vomit kills me to deal with LOL :) If you decide to do it make sure that you volunteer at a local hospital in the department you want to work in. Then you will make friends and be more likely to get in that department after you are done with schooling and are ready to work. I hope this helps!Oh and the pay is great too, up to $5000 a month! Cant beat that!
391030
I'm looking into joining CityYear, acctually, I applied, and my first interview is on Tuesday. So, I can answer most of your questions. Some, or most, of the people live with their parents, or someone close by, which would be free rent, which is what I will be doing. There are some that move away for their year of service, which is what the stepind is for. It is acctually very doable to live on 175 dollars a week, You just have to budget well. They'll help you out, by setting you up with room mates, and helping you look for an apartment. They strongly suggest four people to a two bedroom apartment and in walking distance (or in an area with public transportation). They don't have any sort of dorms on any of their sites. Although, in the near furtute the Boston site will have dorms. With the 175 a week you won't be able to go out to the movies every week, or anything, but it's do able, and you'll still have spending money. You mentioned you live in that area. I suggest you do what I'm doing. I applied to my nearest site, so I can stay with my parents, and I'm going to direct deposit my stipend into an account for college, and I'll move my hours and keep my part time job later at night. (Most students either go to school or have a part time job after City Year, you just have to make sure it never cuts into your commitment.) So, no, you wouldn't have to leave work, but you may need to change your hours to gaurtee you won't be working before 6:30 PM. They also have decent health care and dental care. but they even told me on the phone, if you can stay with your parents, and on their insurance, it will be better. I can't think of anything else I should tell you, feel free to email me.\nOh, and good luck on your essays, I spent a month doing mine, writing them, they red pening them, then writing them again...
214001
Do go to college first. You will gain so much from it even be a better nurse or anything else you may end up doing. You won't be sorry if you do vs you might be sorry if you rush it. you will feel the difference between you and those nurses who went to college first.
67001
Oh yeah, it just depends on what schools you are looking at. In NC where I live there are alot of nursing schools around me that will "forgive" your loan (clear it out) if you agree to work for the local hospitals for a certain amount of time. Ask your nursing department head or research the local hospitals.
383892
I have a fellow nursing student that just transfered from a small campus. She loved it because of the atmosphere. You feel like you're a part of the campus and culture because you get to know a greater percentage of the students. She got to know nearly all the FT professors at some point, constantly ran into students she knew, and felt at home there. The problem with the school we are at now...you can literally walk by thousands of people and not bump into a familiar place. It feels like a zoo and you don't fee like you are part of a campus community.
677034
There are Federal loans, such as the Stafford, that tend to be lenient.  Sit down with one of your school's financial advisors/counselors and discuss this.  Federal loans don't cover the entire tuition if your school is a proprietary school (tuition starts at 24,000 and higher), but they  may accept payments.   If you've got the GPA, look into nurse-specific grants and scholarships.  I'm a nurse and this is what I did.  The only other thing I can think of is to find out from your bank if they offer student loans for folks with "iffy" credit.  Having nursing as a goal may make you a better risk.  Of course, now you're obligated to pass boards!  Yikes!
130485
I'm an x-ray technologist and I know what you mean about liking the medical field. You can get an LVN certificate in 1 year but the money isn't that great. My advice is go to a junior college and get a 2 year degree in nursing and become an RN. The job description is good and the money is great!! Look into it!! You won't be sorry! And don't care about what people say. It's your life right?! Good luck!!
448294
Wrong focus.  It's not like it's med school.  Just get into a convenient and decent nursing program.  It's what you do after getting your nursing degree and passing the boards that makes you a great nurse, or not.
503062
I know three women who are in the process of going from LPN to RN.  The one who is somewhat ahead in her classes says it significantly easier going from LPN to RN that it was getting the LPN in the first place.\nThat's the extent of what I can contribute to your question other than good luck to you!
629620
University of Phoenix Campus & Online Nursing programs are not only accredited but so well respected by hospitals that many nursing departments even do group study at the hospital and employers readily offer tuition reimburement plans so nurses can advance their degree while working. \n\nThere's also a new NLN accredited online RN to MSN bridge program thru Regis that is great if you're an ADN and want to skip the BSN & go straight for your MSN degree. \n\nYou can learn more about either of the programs I've talked about and get free information from accredited online & campus based nursing schools at these places:\n\nFirst-- more info about online MSN programs & about UoP:\nhttp://myonlinenursingdegree.com/student-resources.html\n\nNext- getting more info from particular schools of nursing to learn more about their programs:\nhttp://myonlinenursingdegree.com/schools/online_nursing_degrees.html\n\nBest wishes!
210851
well find the school in your area that has a nursing program.  GO in and tell them your interested in attending but don't know what you need to do.  They will tell you everything you need to know and even help you with getting the loans you need, unless they are jerks, then find another school.  Ask them every question you have, they do this as there job.\n\ngood luck, its a good choice I always see places looking for nurisng help!
625796
i assume you're going to a 4-year college correct? but either way, it's always good to get your BSN before you take the board exam >> NCLEX-RN << and if you pass it then you're be qualified as a RN. i myself also spent 4 years to get my BSN before passing the board exam and became a RN. many people would just go straight to take the exam after they've earned an associate degree in science to become a RN, that way they save time and money. but i wouldn't suggest you to go for the shortcut, the BSN comes in very helpful in the long run as if you want to advance to a higher degree like DNP - master degree in nursing, very very good money. lol but anyways, just try to have fun with the pre-nursing courses for now and worry about being a RN later. i'm sure your professors will give you a lot of help and you'll understand more about the consequences of becoming a nurse.
303222
No.  This would be a bad idea.  You should consider entering a BSN program at a state university.  At the very least you will make progress towards the MSN while you mark time waiting for the LPN/RN programs or - best situation - you will be admitted into the BSN program after completing the prerequisites and be in line to later earn the MSN.\n\nI know more, but I don't know what area you are in.
413500
If you were hospitalized...would you want your nurse coming in and saying he/she received their degree online?...there are too many hands on techniques to learn...it is certainly acceptable for continuing education...progressing to a BS or for certain certifications...but not for your entry level degree.
28255
I am an "older" nursing student. Start with the federal financial aid program. Many other programs are based on their criteria. Also check out Johnson & Johnson's nursing site. It is one of the best. Three good links are below. I hope this helps.