Balancing Parish Nursing and Paid Work and...LIFE!

Am posting this out of curiosity but also because I'm looking for a bit of balance in my own life.

Several years ago, I started a parish nurse program in a 1000 member congregation. It was the first parish nurse program ever in that church and I met with a bit of resistance from the parishioners because it was a foreign concept to them. My activities included biweekly blood pressure checks between services, health counseling, a biweekly health education and support group, occasional home and hospital visits with the pastor, and writing articles for the monthly newsletter. I also advised the pastors about health issues that might have theological implications as well as practical issues like the difference between diverticulitis and metastatic colon cancer. It was a great experience but I ended the program after about four years because I had gone back to graduate school, had a part-time teaching job and didn't have the time for parish nursing. I was a single parent of two teenagers at the time and was so busy and so stressed that I barely had time to breathe, much less continue my volunteer work. (Another factor, unrelated to the lack of balance in my life, was that the pastor who had been supportive of the program left that church for another position and the pastor who remained was not as supportive of parish nursing.)

Fast forward to the present: I remarried, moved with my husband and kids to a smaller community and two very small churches. My kids are college-age now so we're looking at an empty nest. The pastor of these churches (two point charge) is aware of my background as a parish nurse and is very enthusiastic and anxious for me to get going. I wanted to start something up last year but I was working almost full time night shift and simply didn't have the energy. I have discussed with him the activities he would like me to do but he basically has given me free reign to do what I see fit.

I guess my concerns are about how to balance parish nursing and a job and still have a life! I ended up quitting my Master's program because of long commutes, stress and financial and time constraints. I could not afford to quit my job at the time but I was burned out and just wanted a LIFE. My kids have always been a huge priority for me and, while perhaps professionally unwise, I have stayed out of the workforce, dropped classes, changed schedules because they have needed me. It was far more important for me to be a good parent to my kids, especially after a bloody divorce, than to finish my MSN.

Am driving my poor husband crazy but I sometimes think I'd like to go back to grad school because, while dropping out was the right choice for my family at that time, I do regret not finishing. Then I talk about what I want to do with parish nursing and I'm also looking for jobs. I figure if I get something full-time I won't pursue the Master's and just stick with the job and parish nursing when I have time. If I go part-time, I might have time to take one class at a time and still do parish nursing. Both of my kids will be in college this year so I am facing an empty nest---and I guess I'm looking to fill it. How do others maintain balance? I miss parish nursing and definitely want to get going, especially since my pastor is supportive and enthusiastic.

Am I nuts?

Thanks for any input! Hoping to start a good discussion here!