Am I making a mistake? Should I wait another year to do LVN program?

Nursing Students LPN/LVN Students

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Hi,

Be forewarned, this is a long winded post ;D

I'm in the process of applying for a private LVN program starting in the Fall. I thought I had it all figured out but now I'm starting to have my doubts.

The medical field has always been my passion but, when I got out of high school, life got in the way (which I won't change because I had some wonderful opportunities and experiences). I've been a SAHM for 5 years while doing some general ed and nursing prereqs (I have a 4 and 5 year old. The oldest will be starting Kindergarten in Fall and the younger in preschool 3 days a week). I probably have a year to a year and a half left for finishing my science prereqs to start applying for the ASN program. I still need to to complete 3 general ed courses on top of the science to apply for a BSN program.

With my husband's salary, I've been able to stay home and by living frugal managed to make things work. Now with the kids getting older, additional commitments, the state of the economy and the fact that living in the SF bay area doesn't help, we've acquired some debt and feeling like we are slowly, but surely falling behind.

I am quite anxious to further my career and get into the nursing field but I've always felt it was important for me to stay at home with the kids so in a way a lot of my decision is based on whether is is the right time for them to start my full time schooling again. My plan was always to go back to school when they started with their school and study/work while they are in school or sleeping and be there for them otherwise.

Although I'm sure my husband's job is still pretty safe, his employer's ethics have been getting iffy and it made me somewhat nervous to the point that I decided due to not having a proper education that we can fall back on, I should get the LVN ball rolling. We are definitely considering moving out of the bay are within the next 2-3 years. I know the job market is at a hiring freeze but my ultimate goal is becoming a RN or even NP so getting a job out of school for the moment is not the be all and end all. With the impacted programs here, I feel even though I might work for a mediocre salary after finishing the LVN program, it will be something and it will be experience and getting ready for a LVN-RN bridge. I'm pretty sure I won't get into any of the RN programs soon and not sure I want/can commit to a 2 year continues full time study just yet and see the LVN route as what would work for our family atm. Having my LVN license, will at least aid us in our move somewhere else too. Well that is my thoughts in anyway...whether they area realistic i guess is another story. On the other hand it doesn't seem that I might get hired within a year in anyway, so why not complete as much prereqs as a I can and then start the LVN next year?

So even though I was quite excited and nervous about starting a program in fall I'm wondering if I should not hold off another year with the kids being a bit older. I think financially we will probably able to swing it somewhat for another year.

My other concern with starting the program is, my mother in law said she would stay with us for a year to help out with child care and all other help we would need. I think is really sweet and kind of her but I don't want her resenting us when things get too much with the kids etc. As i will be away from the house from 7:00am to between 3 and 6pm M-F and that is only official school time. (My husband will obviously be helping as much as he can) Starting next year both kids will be in school full time (8-2pm) and she will probably still come to help, but it will probably not be so intense.

So do I go for it in Fall, grin and bear for a year and at least have something immediate for me to fall back on and we can move on. Or do I hold off until next year where it might be not as hard on the kids, my mother in law an probably myself. I'm fortunate that my husband has been supportive in all this. I just don't want to put our family in a difficult position. And I will admit that I'm somewhat scared of what is lying ahead. In the end I'm just not sure what is going to happen at my husband's work and we do want to get out of the area asap...grrrr

Thanks in advance for any advice or insight you can provide and for sitting through this looong post :)

Take care

:)

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Specializes in Hospice / Ambulatory Clinic.

My situation is very similar to yours minus the kids. I spent several years being a stay at home wife since my husband make an ok salary for the area I lived in and we did not live excessively large. I dabble at community college in design and again at a private design college. Did run a semi-successful business while the economy was good.

March '08 my husband was laid off of his job of 18 years and while found a new one in 3 weeks it pays 25% less. June 08 I started LVN school. I would have started in March is I could have.

Yes as a new grad LVN I don't earn that much but it does cover the 25% gap we lost plus some more to put towards RN school. I should be an RN at the end of 2012.

Either way its going to be hard. I would argue for better the hard road now that the hard road later. At least if the economy is bad its easy to explain to yourself, kids and MIL.

I wouldn't worry too much about your MIL being resentful. She's probably happy to spend time with the kids and probably expects you to look after her when she's old so fair trade really.

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I was in a similar situation last fall, i am a mother of three ages 6, 4 and 3 yrs old. I have been at home with them for the most part just working parttime on the weekends. I had gotten accepted in an LPN program, but i only had one year on classes left until i could apply for RN school. I was very excited to start nursing school but i knew I would not finish up if i went the LPN route first. So, I chose to finish out the prereqs. I was also very nervous to leave the kids with a sitter or family because with family it is always ok at the time but sometimes it doesn't end well. I am very happy with the road i chose. Now i am waiting to hear anyday now if i was accepted into the program i held out for.

This is a choice only you can make, you know what is right for you. When i had the interview at the LPN school the director told us this " Nursing school is rough no matter when you do it, but if the timing is right it will make things easier for you". I thought about this alot when i made my decision. Go for what you feel is right for you and your family, i am sure you will do great!

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Thank you so much for sharing both of your experiences! It has helped me immensly towards making a decision. It is definitely true in terms of family. A year is a long time, but I think we should all just focus on the future and the benefits. Personaly it will also be the realization of a dream that has been going for too long a time...

Thank you so much for your kind words and support.

:)

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