Considering a year off (sort of) advice?

[Skwidward]

I've been studying for my nurse degree since back in 2004. We've (my family and I) had many things to deal with including two giant moves, one of which was to another state, thanks to a hurricane called Katrina.

Anyway, I finally graduted as an LVN in the fall of 2008(been studying for RN but just needed to work). I am working on a medsurg floor and loving it (and hating it at times ). I am taking online classes (prereques) right now for my LVN-RN. I probably could make it into the program that starts in the summer with two prereques left to take during the nursing program-speech and PE (yeah PE).

My predicament -whether or not to work for a year and just knock out those last prereques during that time and then apply for the LVN-RN transition next year, or apply now and usffer through it all now.

Thing is if I applied now, it would be a big stretch financially-we are still trying to dig out from debt from moving, I probably would only be able to pull off one or two shifts at the weekends-which would suck because I have a family I need to spend time with (that wouldn't be possible), and having to do the prereques at the same time will just make things harder. The program says to have Mon-Fri free for school. I don't think I can work 7 days a week.

If I put it on hold, I will be able to, ONE, visit England for this summer (I am from there and have not been home for over 4 years, haven't seen my sister for over 7 years), I will have lots of spare time with my family, time to knock out the prereques, time and money to pay off debt and save for school next year, AND I will finally be able to just work for a bit. Since 2004 I have not worked, my wife has carried me while I studied for my RN then LVN (I worked while she got her RN then we switched). I will be able to get some experience as a nurse. Plus I would maybe be able to work homehealth next year around my schooling.

Anyway, I just have this feeling that I need my RN now as soon as possible you know? But it might be better and more practicle to just apply next year. It's just been so crazy for so long, I feel like a nomewhat normal for a year would be kinda nice you know? We only just (December) moved into a real nice house and actually live somewhere nice where we'd like to be for a while.

any advice?

sorry if this is a big mess, I typed it in a rush.

[KaroSnowQueen, RN]

This is just my two cents, , but here it is.

I vote you take the long way. Work as an LPN, go do some pre-reqs, go to England.

School will still be there when you get back. Your family is more important than any job or any degree, and someone who has experienced such stress as going thru the hurricane needs some time to give back to themselves.:redpinkhe

Wait on the RN. Next year will come soon enough, and as you yourself said, "normal is nice!":yeah: