**A Little Help Please** (and thank you!)

Hello hello,

I was hoping one or several of you ladies and gents who have taken the RN program could give me some advice.

I am working my way up to getting accepted into the RN program at the local community college (this will be the last semester of "fluff" classes I will need to take all the others are nursing classes) - however I am more than a bit nervous that even having taken all the pre-requisites I may not have time for the classes, clinicals, work, family and life...

The RN program I am looking at is at LFCC (Virginia) it doesn't list when the clinicals take place within the program.

I am a single mother of two small children currently working full time (nights) and my youngest is autistic and not able to be in a full time school program. Most college degree programs allow you to miss 3 days of class but then will kick you out of the program. If either of my boys needed me I would choose to miss the class, because that's where my priorities are - school is important but not more important than family. It's just that this would be a great opportunity to make more money to provide for them - hence my dilemma.

Sooo...

How intense are clinicals in the RN program?

Is there a set number of hours?

A certain semester they are packed into?

Can you schedule your own times?

Are they flexible on clinical hours?

How many gals/guys have done this with families and jobs, is it possible?

The other option is to wait a few more years until my little ones are a bit older but minimum wage and no degree as a safety net is making me panicky...

Thank you for any internet strangers willing to read and respond - you're awesome and I wish you much good karma!!
I really cannot give you any advice as I am not in your situation, also I am from ny so programs Will vary.For my school, we had clinicals from 7:45 to 2pm latest. It was usually twice a week and the days and time are specifically written when we registered. They sometimes had a later section for those who didn't want it so early. They also had one that was back to back on the weekend.We definitely could not schedule it ourselves, what we registered for in the beginning is what we got. In terms of absence, one was two was allowed and a third got you kicked out of the class.

How intense are clinicals in the RN program?

If you're concerned about being able to complete a program at this point, what about doing LPN first? It's a much shorter program, and you could get out working for more than min. wage. You can then go back for your RN later.Of course, if upon researching it you feel that you can complete an associate's program and raise your kids at the same time, go for it!

Quote from Melly_If either of my boys needed me I would choose to miss the class, because that's where my priorities are - school is important but not more important than family.

My LPN program allows ZERO lab or clinical absences.

Clinicals are set in stone. There is no personal accommodation available. They occur every semester and the hours are posted when you register for the class.They are very intense, with much pre- and post- work required, usually.Do you have a family member who can be on-call for your sons while you are in school?

I would suggest you contact the program you are interested in and ask them your questions, they will not be afraid to give you the straight facts and then you can make an appropriate decision. Every Nursing program is different, although clinicals seem to be the common ground, as in don't skip them no matter what. I totally agree with the LPN suggestion if you find that the ADN program is too much. My program had clinicals at all hours some on the weekends, some were 12 hours, etc. Most of the students were working, had kids etc.That being said, it is a lot of work and you need to be able to focus on learning. If you do not have a good study environment (small children with lots of needs) it will be very stressful.

Quote from roser13Clinicals are set in stone. There is no personal accommodation available. They occur every semester and the hours are posted when you register for the class.They are very intense, with much pre- and post- work required, usually.Do you have a family member who can be on-call for your sons while you are in school?