Am I selfish for going back to school?

hopefulwhoop · Apr 26, 2011

You say you're doing it to make a "better life" for your family, so I don't think that's selfish. However, you have to really think about the stress nursing school will bring to your family. You have to also consider the cost. Is the cost of nursing school something you can afford right now? Also, Idk what the starting pay is where you are, but you might not make as much as you'd expect right out of school. I would really think long and hard about this and possibly explore other less stressful, less time-consuming professions before you settle on nursing. If nursing is something you've been thinking about and really have a passion for, I understand, but if it's to make a "better" life, I think there are other options that better. By that, I mean, there are other careers where you can make the same amount of money with less schooling and less stress. But, good luck with school!

fromtheseaRN, BSN, RN · Apr 26, 2011

wanting better for your children, completing goals, and setting an excellent example of hard work/success for your kids is the exact opposite of selfish. you could not give them a greater gift.

my two kids are 8, and i would think it would have been a lot easier if on them if they were in the teen years when i went back to school then it is now(i graduate this december).

you can do this! good luck!

Heidi the nurse, BSN, RN · Apr 26, 2011

I'm a couple years older than you, but am a single mom with kids in the same age range (9,11 and 14). I have been an RN for 20 years and need a change - so will be going back to school for something in the next few months.

The way I look at it - I'm burned out, I want a change, my kids are in school, the price of tuition is going to do nothing but rise - if I'm going to do it I have no choice but to start now. The 14 year old is concerning me because he has his first girlfriend and could care less about school. So I hope I can spark some excitement for learning in him as I go back to school. I will have to work some, but hope I can do so within their school hours.

nancypants · Apr 26, 2011

I know, I am worried about all of the STRESS!!!!!!!!!!!!!

netglow, ASN, RN · Apr 26, 2011

No you are not selfish, however if you want to make a better life for your family, eg you're looking for some financial stability, nursing might not be the best choice.

Nursing has had a downward spiral for new nurses entering the field since 2007. You need to be sure you have an alt. source of good income due to the fact that thousands of new nurses have been unable to find work. You need to be sure, that you can pay for school and pay for your family needs should you join the ranks of the unemployed newer nurses in this country.

Jules A, MSN · Apr 26, 2011

What is your plan? I did my LPN first so I could work while I continued on for my RN and it definitely lightened the family burden. Personally I think the example you show them will benefit them in the long run but I would make it as short and painless as possible because they are only young once and will need your eagle eye as they head into their teenage years. Best wishes!!

Guest717236 · Apr 26, 2011

Both my parents went back to school when I was a teen, while they worked

full time. When my Mom graduated from her program, my Dad started

his college program. It is a family effort. Your kids will need to learn to

help out a little more, but also you will be a role model for them.

It takes working as a team, so best wishes!

Remember, you will be supportive to your kids on their educational

journey for advanced degrees (as you are now), so things balance out.

nancypants · Apr 26, 2011

WOW! We have a lot in common! My 14 year old is also a boy, has his first girlfriend and isn't interested in school. My 12 year old girl has a better head on her shoulders for the time being. I am just so worried about bringing more stress into the family but I hope it will also be a good influence on them. I'm so confused! I also don't want to get burnout!

ctimmons · Apr 26, 2011

I am a couple of years younger than you and have decided to go back also. I will be done with all of my pre-nursing classes this summer and have applied. This is the most unselfish thing you can do for you and your children. Yes it will be stressful, but your school should hopefully offer some help with stress reduction. Stick with it and never give up.

classicdame, MSN, EdD · Apr 26, 2011

Do it. The happier you are, the happier they will be. Plus, I can tell you for sure they grow up and move away sooner than you ever believed possible.

Mrs. SnowStormRN, RN · Apr 26, 2011

Hi, someone asked whats your plan RN school or LPN school? LPN school will be shorter but still stressful and time consuming between class and clinicals. Make sure youre not just going into to this just to make a better life, because you really have to be passionate about the field because it is a very stressful career, and sometimes people have a false idea about nursing financially (with the workload you will feel underpaid and overworked). Your kids are older and this may actually be a plus, I went when my kids were really little and felt I missed so much because of studying, schoolwork and clinicals. I was a single mom when I went to LPN school and it was very hard (but I had a toddler), you will need a strong support system somewhere in the picture. Even when I went to RN school (with 2 young kids) it was even harder and I was married (but my husband did deploy during a couple of semesters), so you can definitely do this! :) What youre doing is not selfish, and even if it was sometimes its okay to be selfish. Go speak to a nursing director at a few schools, ask if you can sit through a couple classes, and maybe you can shadow a nurse for a day as well. I wish you much luck!!!