For all of us "Older Students" with Kids

My Sister In-Law and her husband (my Brother) have been ER Nurses for 20 years. I'm in NC and they live in Boston - but through e-mails and calls, she's been my greatest "cheerleader" and support over the many months I've been trying to get into Nursing School. She knows I've been stressed out about all of this and trying to figure out how I'll handle full-time school, the kids, husband, house, etc. Below is part of an e-mail she recently sent me and I wanted to share it with the rest of you who are like me and trying to do this while raising a family.

When she went to Nursing School 20 years ago - her Mom decided to join her and did really well. Her and my brother are raising 4 children - they work opposite shifts in the same ER - he works 16 hour shifts (he's crazy) and she works a few 12's a week. It's an incredibly busy life, but somehow they make it work and she's made me realize that even with a family - this is possible to do with some will-power. Here's her e-mail:

Dear Sue,

I am so excited for you to think that nursing school is so close. My mother went back after all her life as a homemaker. The school we went to was pretty varied in age and life experience so she fit in well. It's just a different mind set I think. As a Student Nurse you'll be so busy with the house and the kids and studying.....just getting from morning to bedtime is a task so you won't have much time to worry about, never mind care, whether or not you fit in. Hell, you may even find a babysitter for the boys and a study partner for you all in one. You are juggling so many balls now, so what, as a Nurse you'll thrive on stress...you'll love it...you'll look forward to it.....you'll chew it up and spit it out.....you can handle anything..............you are a mother of 3 boys....you cannot be hurt!!!!
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She forgot to add "I am Woman hear me Roar" lol - but her point was taken. Anything is possible if you want it bad enough. Hope this helps someone feel better about going back to school while raising the family. SusanNC