For all of us "Older Students" with Kids

[RNSuzq1, RN]

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

[Catma63]

Howdy neighbor!

It helped me!

Tell your sister-in-law that her email boisted the spirits of yet another older student/mom/wife who is struggling through nursing school.

I can do all things through Christ who strenghtens me.....now, isn't that so?

[Achoo!, LPN]

what an uplifting post! We all need cheerleaders like that. Thanks for sharing! :)

[frann]

I graduated in 91. my neighbor is in a lpn program. Its sounds way harder that mine back then. You wouldn't believe all the BS they have her doing. She recently had to write a 40 page report! Come on this is just too much.

Seems they have invented something new called patient profiles to torture the students. As if careplans weren't enough! Now come to find out that the local hosp. starts them out about the same as the local cashiers at Costco make. Why are they making it so hard in school with so much paperwork.

You guys keep it up, school is not forever.

good luck

[Carolanne]

What a nice note! Thanks for sharing it with us. It's always nice to hear about nursing school survivors, and especially supportive families! :)