At my wits end......

fultzymom · Apr 2, 2007

I know how you feel about leaving your baby as I have 3 kids et I work full-time. But I do not have a choice because hubby is self-employeed et we need insurance, et I am the primary "bread-winner." As for what schooling to take, my best advice is to do what you really want to do in your heart. Schooling is a lot of money et I would hate to let someone sway me to take something et have that end up being something that I do not really want to do. It is hard to leave my kids et go to work but my mom sits for them a couple of days per week et then my pastor's wife does the other days of the week. Do you have any resources to call upon so that you do not have to do day care? Good luck et follow your heart.

llg, PhD, RN · Apr 2, 2007

Only you can know which is the right career plan for you. On the practical side, the business path sounds very appealing ... but will it make you happy? Do you like business? Are you interested in doing that type of work on a regular basis for the rest of your life? Will you be feel fulfilled as a person if you take the business path?

Now ... ask yourself those same questions about the nursing path. Understand that the nursing path will be less practical and require more inconvenience/compromise from you and your family. But will it be fulfilling for you as a person in the long run? Only you can answer.

Good luck to you -- regardless of which path you decide is right for you.

rita359 · Apr 2, 2007

If nursing is what you want to do its time to do it. Whatever you decide to do school is NEVER a bad investment and not getting some kind of degree is ALWAYS a bad decision. I mean no offense, but with 50%-60% of marriages failing furthering your education is looking out for your family and for yourself. Even if divorce is not in your future one never knows what will happen from day to day like car accident or some health problem that keeps hubby from working. Maximize your income potential.

KGRmomRN · Apr 2, 2007

I am kind of in the opposite position as you. I had thought about nursing so many times before; I just couldn't decide that that was right for me. Then I had my son and while I was spending time in the hospital, after a c-sec, I realized that Nursing is what I want to do. I love taking care of people and making them happy. I know in my heart that nursing is for me, not just because I want to but also for my son. If you felt it in your heart before, listen again it still may be there. I know all about having to leave my baby and I don't like it either but it has to be done to ensure his future, I can't work as a waitress forever. Think about it.

Midwest4me · Apr 2, 2007

Do you have any real interest in business? If so ( and the interest in nursing is declining), then go for it. Like others have said, it really does come down to following your heart.

momma&nurse2B · Apr 2, 2007

I would echo what a lot of the others have said. I'm 25, and 1 1/2 years ago, I left a nice job in human resources to pursue nursing. I personally didn't feel like what I did really mattered or had any meaning for myself or others, and I needed a different job in order to be "fulfilled." I wanted to have the chance to really help people. At the time, I only had an associate's degree, and was working full time to just get by. With nursing, I will be able to work part time and make what I did before, which means more time to be a mom :) My daughter is 3 now, and I do have sadness that the next two years of her life she'll be in childcare almost full time while I go to nursing school (although I'm sure she'll be having a blast playing with friends and getting to do all kinds of creative activities that I would never come up with on my own!) But I also know that, if I choose later, I can work nights so that I have some flexibility to be home with her during the day on her days off from school or if she's sick, etc. Those are things I'm looking forward to and I think the long term results will be worth the sacrifice I'm making now.

Ultimately, you obviously have to follow your heart and do what is best for you and your family. One thing I have found that is quite nice is that many of my fellow students are also parents, so we're all in the same boat trying to balance family and school (and many balance a job along with it). Good luck to you as you make your decision!

FullTimeTraveler · Apr 2, 2007

Continue with nursing, no question. First, it is one of the highest projected job needs for the future. When you have a family, security matters. If you have a kid, think of how well nursing fits with that. You can work three days a week (12s) and make more than most make working five days a week. The shifts are more flexible, there's job security, the pay is very nice, and if you ever decide to move, where is there not a need for nurses?

The reasoning behind being a nurse to help people and doing what you really want to do is admirable, and while they're very true, those aren't the reasons you should continue with nursing. It's because you have a kid and it makes more sense in the long run. You might hate leaving your kid now, but in the long run, you'll get to spend more time with your kid.

AnnieOaklyRN, BSN, RN, EMT-P · Apr 2, 2007

No one here can tell you what YOU should go to school for. I will say you need to follow your own heart and do what it tells you.

Swtooth

StrwbryblndRN · Apr 2, 2007

I had wanted to be a nurse when I was in high school and my RN aunt questioned my decision. She kept telling me is was hard and not meant for everyone. I understood that but being 18 felt she was trying to tell me that I did not have what it takes. Other family members would refer me back to my aunt, when I asked their opinion because "she knew what she was talking about".

12 years later, married with a child and planning to have another I told my husband I was going to nursing school. (I never wavered from my desire to be a nurse) He told me I could not raise a family and go to school at the same time. "It was too hard". We argued regularly about this and almost did not even have a second child because of this. Well I had enough of someone telling me it was too hard. I knew what I wanted and understood that sacrifices would need to be made but pay out would be great. This was my calling. The only career I ever wanted.

School is not forever (unless you want it to be) And my children would see my hard work and hopefully model after me.

Well I graduate this May and have never let anyone sway me from what I feel I need to do for myself. I sacrifice plenty for family being a mother and wife. I should not have to deviate from my career choice just because it makes someone else's life easier. I knew it would all work out and it did.

Go for what you want. Don't let others talk you out of your dreams.

By the way my kids are 3 and 5 and my husband has been 110% supportive since I started school. He was raised with a SAHM and never occurred to him that it was possible to raise kids and go to school.

3rdgenRN2B · Apr 5, 2007

thank you to everyone who responded. what it comes down to is what is best for my family. and i have to say i have noooooo interest in business and never have. my hubby isn't too keen on me going into nursing but he's a diabetic and has bad experiences with nurses in the past so i'll have to change his mind.....also, i think i'm just getting cold feet but i'm also not getting any younger...

so, i've just registered for 2 more of my pre reqs for this fall.....wish me luck....

KGRmomRN · Apr 5, 2007

Good Luck to you!!!:)