Am I being realistitc? Turning 40, 5 kids & wanting to go to Frontier Midwifery Schoo

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Specializes in pediatric/post-partum.

I have always wanted to do this and got as far as getting my associate degree in nursing. I have always been in OB/ post-partum or peds and I really feel the need to go back to school. BUT, I have children ranging from 3 months to 16 years. My son will be a senior next year and if I go back, I won't be able to work extra to help pay for his college. I hear the program is great but vigorous. I do plan on going part-time but I am concerned with the week long stay the first semester since I will still be breastfeeding my baby. Has anyone else gone through this program with kids and being older? I only work per-diem and usually put in 1 8hour day a week, so I am thinking I shouldn't have a problem doing the course load required for part-time.

I plan to take the women's health practitioner program and I worry about being 44 when I graduate. Will anyone want to hire me at this age with no practitioner experience? And of course, I worry about getting a loan of about 33,000 at my age as well. Oh, why does this have to be so hard?

ANY advice would be helpful.....Thanks

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Specializes in L&D.

quite honestly - you'd fit right in! I'm a Frontier student (just completed my first year in the Bridge program), and have 3 children, as well as working 32 hrs/week.

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Specializes in L&D.

Also - you can bring your breastfeeding infant with you to Frontier for the 5 day Bound portion. You can also bring a care provider for your infant, for when you are in classes/breakout sessions.

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Specializes in Labor and Delivery.
quite honestly - you'd fit right in! I'm a Frontier student (just completed my first year in the Bridge program), and have 3 children, as well as working 32 hrs/week.

I second that! I am 37 and have just completed my first year of the program! I have one child and work part-time. I am a part-time student in the program and find it manageable. Not easy, but manageable! There are quite a few students older and younger than me, and most of them have children. If it is your dream, then you are never too old! Good luck!

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Go for it! Life is long - Even if you don't finish until you're 44. The average age of retirement is 65 - that's over 20 years of practice you'll be getting in!

And it sounds like Frontier is the perfect place to be :)

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Specializes in pediatric/post-partum.

Thanks guys for all the advice. I'm still thinking about things. I'm sitting for the Lacatation exam this summer and looking into other options as well. :)

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Specializes in L&D.

Take your time! Frontier will always be there :-)

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I don't mean to "butt in" on this conversation; but I do have some questions that maybe you folks can help me with! I am considering application with Frontier for the May 2011 begining class (maybe earlier). I, too am 40, work full time (although in a very "cushy" job) and will be down to 1 13 year old daughter at home (my boys are 23, 20 & 19). I was really concerned about my ability to carry the full time school load AND work (I can't drop hours or quit). So, I have some questions of those of you that are "in the thick of it" so to speak.

1. How many hours do you spend on homework/studies each week?

2. How difficult was the acceptance process?

3. Do you feel that the education you are receiving is a good quality?

4. What would you change about your program?

5. What is the very best thing, in your opinion about Frontier?

I will graduate in May with my BSN from Liberty University and am not able to enroll in Frontier until I have 1 year paid back to my employer for my current scholarship award.

I really appreciate ANYONE who is willing to take the time to respond to these questions as I evaluate all of my options. So far, I really like Frontier, and it would take a lot of bad feedback to change my mind. :specs:

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