Monday, March 23, 2009

I need a village...

Back in December, I interviewed for a slot in the nursing program at Everest University (formerly the ever-so illustrious FMU). When my interviewer was going over the times, dates, etc. of the program, she mentioned that clinicals would be held at varying locations, start time 6:30 am. At this point, I stopped the interview and inquired further since my children require care of some sort and no day care I know of opens before 6:30 am. I specifically stated this and advised that my husband works unconventional hours (24 hours shifts, 7:30 am to 7:30 am). I asked if this would be a problem, because I was willing to make up any time missed after clinicals, or on nights or weekends, when outside child care is more readily available. I was told that IT SHOULD NOT BE A PROBLEM, that a lot of single moms had expressed the same concerns, that as long as I met my required number of clinical hours I would be fine.

I start my next quarter of school on April 13, with outside clinicals starting May 20. I stopped by the nursing program office today to confirm that this will not be a problem. Guess what...it is. A huge problem. One that I must find a solution for before May 20. Apparently they are cracking down on giving concessions to certain students, so now no one gets any leeway for clinicals. At all. I was actually advised to ask my day care director to bring in someone early just for my kids. Because we all know the world revolves around my children and people will fall over themselves to get to work 30 minutes early to watch them. Ridiculous!

So, here's where I need a village. I need help figuring out how to get my kids to day care while getting my buttocks to the clinicals sites by 6:30 am. Jer's of very little assistance here. If he works on a Tuesday, he would not be home in time Wednesday morning and he would be scheduled to work on Friday. He has to leave here by 6:30 am at the latest to get to work on time. My clinicals are scheduled for Wednesdays and Fridays.

My family resides in BF Lakeland. His family lives near, but his mother, who would be the go-to person, is in the same boat as she works 24 hour shifts, too. She was supposed to be able to retire this month, but it got pushed back 18 months.

I am at a loss. I need some outside eyes, ears, and brains to give me some ideas as to what I can do. I can't quit; that's the last option, and I don't even really consider it an option anyway.

Please help!!!!