Hoew do I juggle full time work, single parenthood and part time college without going crazy?

Question

Work full time as an LPN, am a single mom to 2 children and go to college part-time. I am working on my Registered Nursing degree. I only have 5 more prereqs, then I can do the LPN to RN transition program (only 2 semesters of clinicals) through our local community college. Right now I am only working on the Associates RN, but have considered my Bachelors. Any suggestions on how to pull it all off? I mean, go about all of this faster? Can't handle full time classes and work full time. I still need to work to pay bills and I still need time for my children. What do you think about on-line classes? I have heard of Rue and the University of Phoenix. Don't know much about either, or if they are recognized in Virginia. I have heard that I can do alot at home in my spare time, while still working and be with my kids. I could apply for pell grants or maybe something else. Filed married last year, am now in process of divorce, put me in a higher tax bracket. Don't know if I qualify.

Answer 1

the bridge programs are good for those who already are in that profession... but most people don't realize that the LPN to 2 yr RN to 4 yr Bach RN is about the LONGEST possible way to get your 4 year RN Bachelors degree.  If you want a bachelors degree then go directly to that.  The classes you take are different for the 4 year as they are for the two year and so you end up there longer (same as going from LPN to 2 year RN program).  

LPN prog is a tech program (not college credit classes) and the 2 yr RN is a college program.  The two don't always work together.  Over the years it has gotten a little better with occasionally things transferring over (or bridge).  But the truth is it STILL would have been faster to go directly to the RN program without taking stuff that won't count.  Example:  1 year of college credit is about 30 college credit hours you could be taking all those prereqs and RN classes.  Instead when you do a bridge you get minimal college credit hours compared to what you would have gotten going directly there.

PS: when you file your fafsa, be sure you DON'T include exhubbys income on your fafsa even if you filed taxes together last year.  None of his info should be on the fafsa at all... income and everything.

Good luck.