Unsure about school?

[Tanisha123]

I am a 38 year old wife and mom of 3 children. I am a CNA. I have an amazing new job that I love at a charter school as a nurses aide. I have been in school finishing my pre requisites for RN. However, I've been warned several times that school is a "beast" and I won't have time for my family and will most likely have to quit my job or go part time. Being a nurse has always been a dream of mine but I'm wondering if I've waited too long. We have to have both of our incomes to make ends meet and I can't bear the thought of of not having time for my husband or kids. I am so torn!

[Meeshie]

There's just no way of knowing, without knowing you, what you'll have to do to get through nursing school. I have a small child and I was still breastfeeding when I started nursing school. I did fine. I definitely had to rely on child care some days and my evenings were never my own but I managed. I missed some family events but that's life sometimes. I tutored, as well. Over half of my cohort worked full time jobs. Most of them made it through fine - a few of them didn't. Those that failed a course found that they needed to drop work hours or better manage their time.

You can do it but you need a good support network.

[biobots]

Hello! There are different cohorts you can consider to find balance in family and school. There's a weekend program where my husband went to help with making sure he's got time for family and the kids on top of being in nursing school. It is a tough program but it is doable and the opportunities when you finish are endless.

[versican]

I was 38 with 3 kids (ages 6, 8, 9) when I started my BSN. School was a beast, but I slayed it. I did not work while in school, and I had less time for family. Classes/clinicals were mostly during the day when the kids were in school, but I HAD to study and do tons of papers when the kids were at home. I had to give up some house chores -- the kids all do their own laundry now (yes, at those ages they had to learn and help each other) and my hubby had to cook a lot more. It is tough. Perhaps you have a program with flexible class times -- my program was not flexible.

Sounds like you're happy right now. Do you have an idea of what specific job you actually want once you get an RN? Can you stay with your current employer since you're happy there? If you are in love with your current job as a CNA, I hope you can feel as fulfilled as an RN.

My current job is my first job as a new nurse, and I am overly stressed and not satisfied. But, it's been less than a year so I figure I need to give it more time (med-surg)...though I do always keep my eyes open for a better fit job.

Good luck with your decision.

[Buyer beware, BSN]

Whatever you do, no for-profit schools. These predators eat your demographic alive, will rob you blind and then laugh saying it was all your fault you should have done your homework.

It starts with them telling you what a great deal it will be for you (them) to dip into your government backed school loans. By the time they're through with you you'll be tens of thousands in debt with no degree.

Go to community college, take the prerequisites and save your life and family from what has been termed debt peonage.

You see, for-profits are just that for-profits, not you. You can start to do your homework, though, at (collegescorecard.ed.gov).

Much Luck to you and family.