Need an accelerated program to self support myself

[ClarityandSparkly]

Location: Alaska currently
Age: 21
Regional Credits:
Oklahoma Regional University:
Intro to Cultural Anthropology (3)
Human Communications (3)
Choices in Wellness (like nutrition) (2)
Freshman Seminar (1)
Financial Accounting  (3)
Computer Programming (3)
Computer Programming II (3)
Intro to Probability and Stats (3)
Trigonometry (3)
Data structures (3)
Freshman Composition I (3)
Sum: 30 credits

AP 3 Score
United States History
European History

Sophia
Algebra
Environmental Science

WGU
Organizational Behavior
Critical Thinking and Logic

Budget: no budget, can use fed and private loans and military aid from parent
Tuition assistance/reimbursement: N/A, have received employment reimbursement when staying only with one parent before moving
Commitments: family moves too much, # of younger siblings to take care of depends on what parent I stay with
Dedicated time to study: can study as much as needed

Short term: I'm searching for an accelerated program either in ADN or ABSN. My goal is to increase my earning potential from less than $20 an hour to $35 or more within 18 months. Long term: I'm considering pursuing a four-year degree in a math-heavy field like engineering or actuarial science. I've lost interest in Computer Science after changing my major multiple times. If I opt for Accounting, I'll need to retake the course since I received a D previously. Currently, I'm enrolled in WGU's Healthcare Administration program to maintain eligibility for aid. However, I'm not a big fan of online learning long term because my family often uses it as an excuse to relocate frequently.

Open to all suggestions and degree paths to be self supporting.

[bjcheung77]

@ClarityandSparkly, Welcome to the board, that's a pretty informative post, I think you might want to do the Pierpont BOG AAS and find an emphasis you're interested in. I think continuing on with WGU Bachelors Healthcare Admin is a good idea, or you can pivot to the HIM, it really depends on which direction you want to go, you can do the ADN, ABSN or something if you find the program best fit for you. You can research potential pathways to get to your educational goal...

[Hotdogman1]

Is your sole purpose of pursuing an ADN for increasing your earning potential in the short term? If so, here are other paths you can consider.

Telecommunication Retail Sales
No degree or license requirements.
At T-Mobile, Verizon, or AT&T, you would start out as the equivalent of a retail sales associate. I would recommend you apply at corporate locations. AT&T is unionized, while T-Mobile and Verizon guarantee a minimum of $20 an hour. At every company, is possible to move up to assistant manager after 6 months. I started out part-time, full-time by month 3, key holder by month 6, assistant manager year 1. When I left in 2021, I was getting paid around 64k (hourly+store commission) as a RAM. For tuition reimbursement, T-Mobile/AT&T is $5,250 while Verizon is $8,000.

Hearing Aid Dispenser
No degree requirements
Licensure is needed with most states requiring a written and practical exam and takes around 6-12 months though it’s possible to do it faster.
Most people do trainee programs with companies like Costco, Lucid Hearing (Sam’s Club), and Beltone. They get paid around $22 an hour while they work on getting the license for a 3-year work contract. Other ways to train include online programs or even self-study (though some states may require supervision time). Contact your state for more information.
https://myhome.ihsinfo.org/myhome/Licens...tacts.aspx
Once you are licensed, the pay is $65k+ depending on what company you work for. Most companies do commission, Costco does not. However, those companies do tuition reimbursement while Costco does not.

Aviation Dispatcher
No degree requirements though you have to be 23 years old to get the license.
One of the benefits of working at an airline is free standby/non-rev travel, meaning you could live anywhere as long as you show up on time.
Licensure is needed with education hour requirements and practical exam. It usually takes less than 8 months though it is possible to do it faster depending on the program. Once you are licensed, you usually start out at a regional airline. After 1-3 years, it’s possible to move up to a Major airline.
Regional Airlines Starting pay – Horizon air: $21.50 an hour, Endeavor Air: $23.69 an hour, Piedmont Airlines: $23 an hour, PSA airlines: $20 an hour,
Major airlines Starting pay - American Airlines: $85k, Southwest 103k, United 94k, Delta: 85k, Alaska Airlines: $46 an hour
https://www.faa.gov/about/officeorg/head...on-courses
Some training include 2 semesters at community college, combination of online/in person training (ex. Sheffield Distance learning + 5 days in person $3900), and paid trainee positions at regional airlines.

[Duneranger]

Your plan is not ideal, and you have not thought this out.

I have been in nursing for 15+ years. It's not something you waltz into as a weird stopgap into another field. You have to WANT to be a nurse, or you will literally scorn every day as a RN.

1. ABSN are VERY expensive and VERY competitive. ADN programs, while not expensive, ARE competitive
2. To have a shot, none of the nursing schools are going to accept hackable credits ACE credits, and if they did, they arent going to make your app look good considering your competition.

You seem to have a lot going on, but this comes across as a flailing post. To date, your educational endeavors have not worked out, or you have lost interest. This does not bode well for someone interested in nursing.

Nursing makes ZERO sense in this scenario. It seems like you googled careers that make good money with accelerated education and just went from there. Also, 35 an hour wasn't even half my salary as a RN.

[Hotdogman1]

I agree, it’s too much expended effort for a diploma you’re not planning on using, which is why I offered alternative careers instead.
I thought the idea of self-supporting meant taking control of your life. Either take it or don’t.
Don’t go to school just for the sake of going to school; it’s a waste of life. I don’t know why your family loves relocating so much, but if you’re going to school online, it shouldn’t affect you. If it does, save up 6 months of living expenses and move out.

[bjcheung77]

@ClarityandSparkly, decide on your path to take, you can review the advice provided and see if there are similar routes to take, it doesn't have to be exactly as mentioned, you get to make your own pathway and go with that route you want to take. Some want to make sure they have a balanced mix/match trifecta of certs, degree, experience in any industry they're trying to break into, you want to do the same.