single mother pursing nursing????

RN BSN 2009 · Mar 5, 2007

you need balance and learn how to cut back on expenses so you can cut back on working for school time. best of luck for whatever you choose!

Hope2Be · Mar 26, 2007

Thank you all for your suggestions! and advice!!!

I have already thought through most of them..the only evening/weekend nsg program near me is about 85 miles from my home..I relocated to this state I'm in July of 06, no family no friends here..came here because living was much cheaper than NY. My son cant get a job until about 15 yrs old, my parents are still working in NY so I cant have them come to help,no siblings or other family I have cut down on expenses, I have hardly any credit cards, just the normal living expenses, I cut down to the bare minimum!!

I will continue on taking one class at a time like I have been ( online) or take an evening course if I have to(not all classes offered online), my son can be responsible for about 3 hours while I'm in school and when the time comes my son will be older and yes I will make a way!!

WDWpixieRN, RN · Mar 26, 2007

Good luck Hope2Be....sounds like you've thought things through pretty well....the important thing to know is that you will NOT be the oldest, brokest, loneliest, tiredest person in your class....take advantage of this time to get EVERYTHING you can out of the way so that you can concentrate on the core nursing courses when you do start school...I guarantee it will make NS so much easier and allow you to truly take care of the important learning while still having time for your son, work, and yourself!!

Best wishes!!

KellieNurse06 · Mar 28, 2007

Good for you Hope2Be.....yes, your son will be old enough to get himself off & home after school.....I was doing that at 13 because my mom worked alot...she had to, she was a single mom as well. I never got into mischief or anything , so she trusted me enough to know I was ok alone for a short time....

If you set the rules of what is expected of him up front it should be fine...especially if you have trust in him to know he is responsible enough (for his age anyways) and just explain what you will need to be doing etc......and remember.......that time in school will be over before you realize it.....it's so true! I remember (as well as many others, I am sure) you'll feel like you'll be doing this forever & never get done./...but trust me.....it flies by & you're done before you know it.

I used to go by semesters.....like ...xx weeks left.......plus you get a break between semesters anyway...it's not like going non stop until you are done.....Hey maybe you can study with your son to even make him feel included.....and remind him you are doing this for both of you to better your lives......it truly will be worth it in the end.......and after you get your degree/diploma, you can do the bsn up to msn all online...........it's a great thing for those who don't have years & years to go to school full time.....

A friend of mine just finished her MSN online through University of Phoenix....she even got inducted into one of those societies...Phi something or other.....she is a school nurse by day, works at my house 3 nights a week with my daughter doing home care nursing & sells cosmetics as well...so she did 3 jobs, worked full time + and has 2 young children & is married and maintained a 4.0 average..........so if that doesn't give you encouragement....nothing will! You CAN do it if you want it bad enough! Good Luck!!!!!!!

Mzshaqui · Mar 28, 2007

how do single mothers do it?? right now I started taking pre-reqs, most online classes, my son is 13yrs old right now, I'm turning 35 this year, my concern is HOW do you keep a full time job, pay the mortgage/bills and keep up with a growing teenager and at the same time try to get into nursing school??
once accepted HOW then do you balance full time school (since most schools offer nsg program during the day, wiil need a night job (still need to pay mortgage/bills) and take care of my teenager?? I wonder whether I should just quit while I'm ahead..I have no one to help me so I wonder whether I should continue to do this!!!

Stay focused and talk to your son. even though it will be hard think about it, you never get anything easy. i feel your pain, i am going through the same situation but my son is only 9years old. but i talk to him and explain to him how important this is for me and him.

KEL2BanRN · Mar 28, 2007

I became a single mom 2 yrs ago, totally unexpected. I'm 38 yrs old, with no college degree. I have three young boys, ages 7, 8 and 10. I have NO family for support, I'm all I have. I'm currently going to school full time and start clinicals in September. I just take it one quarter at a time. I figure it will all work out somehow.

floridanurse65 · Mar 28, 2007

You can definitely do it. My daughter was 5 when I took my first college class. It was difficult and I was exhausted most of the time. I did work full time almost the entire time. It ended up taking me 8 years to finally have a degree but I did it the only way I could. I applied for every loan and grant that was available and I cut back on everything that was non essential to live. We ate a lot of Kraft macaroni and cheese. I asked family and friends for help with babysitting and getting her where she needed to be when I couldn't. It is possible and totally worth it. My daughter is 20 now and she turned out just fine. Above all don't give up. Take it a day at a time. That was how I survived. Good Luck to you.