How a Single Mom is Earning Her BSN Degree

With an active 4-year old to care for, a full-time hospital job, and a household to run, Whitney Nguyen had no time for education--or so she thought.

"I planned on getting my BSN as soon as Chloe was older and I had more free time," Nguyen says. "Any other option seemed impossible."

A chance conversation with a colleague started her thinking about online education. Although she'd heard of online nursing programs, she had never seriously considered applying to one. "I said something like, Oh, that's cool, but I'm not a computer person. Then I watched my coworker upload an assignment online. I thought, that's just clicking a button, I can do that."

Still not entirely convinced, Nguyen signed up for a single class to get a feel for online learning. She loved the experience so much that she applied to and was accepted to an online RN to BSN program. 8 months into her BSN degree program, she is appreciating the many benefits online learning offers single parents.

More Convenient for Busy Moms

Single mothers do not have the luxury of a fixed schedule, and as sole income providers they can't always afford child care during traditional campus schedules. Nguyen's online program allows her to log onto the program website any time of day or night. "I love being able to grab a few minutes study time when Chloe's napping, or listen to lectures on my way home from work," she says. "Not having to travel to a campus means that every second of time is productive."

Affordable for Single Income Households

The cost of tuition can be a deal-breaker for single parents, especially those new to the workforce like 22-year old Nguyen. "Having no savings and a low-paying job actually helped me for once," she says. "I qualified for a really good federal aid package. It's still a bit tight financially, but I know it'll pay off in the long run, because with a BSN I can apply to higher-paying jobs."

Most healthcare employers offer tuition assistance programs, so single parents should inquire about this possibility before applying to degree programs. As long as they're properly accredited, online nursing degree programs will qualify for tuition assistance from employers and from the federal student aid programs as well. And with a lower price tag than many traditional programs, online programs are often the only affordable option for single income households.

A Portable Classroom

Single parents rarely want to disrupt their young children's routines by moving to a new location, but what if there aren't any traditional nursing schools in the vicinity? Online learning lets moms and dads earn their degree from anywhere, anytime. "I get most of my weekend studying done at the playground or the kiddie cafe," says Nguyen. "I keep an eye on Chloe in between reading, writing papers, answering forum posts, and anything else that needs to be done."

It's Worth the Challenge

What about the challenges of online nursing programs? "You need a lot of self-discipline," says Nguyen. "Nobody is there to tell you it's time for class. I try to do a little bit every day so I don't fall behind."

Although she still insists that she's "not a computer person," Nguyen knows how to navigate her program's website and enjoys using tools such as video conferencing and interactive quizzes. "Initially the technology was challenging, but it didn't take me long to learn, and now I feel really comfortable," she says.

Academically, the program is harder than she expected, Nguyen admits. "It's very tough at times, and it's a lot to learn," she says. "But they let you spread your classes out, so if it gets too overwhelming I'll just take fewer classes per semester."

Despite the challenges, Nguyen has no regrets. "Being able to study online has changed everything for me," she says. "As a single mom, you actually have more time than you think. The difference is you don't have a lot of it at once. But if you can study in 15-minute segments, then you can get your degree online."

Earn Your BSN Degree Online

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