becoming an LPN and raising a family

Fiona59 · Jul 17, 2007

In a nutshell yes.

Children are only young once. Are you willing to miss soccer, tball games, cub nights?

The course work isn't that hard but the quantity that you have to get through in the time allowed is immense. I spent my first month in my programme staying up until midnight and then getting up at 0500 just to get the work done and lunches for my gang made. And yes, I have a husband.

From the sounds of it your youngest is a toddler. Do you want to be in school and miss these years?

Support from your family and partner is vital. Unless you know that you have backup childcare and the support of the person you live with you will have a hard time. Instructors don't care if you have a sick child (unless it's infectious) or daycare problems. Your classmates also don't care.

All in all nursing school is one of the hardes times of your life but you have to balance that the actual nursing education is only four semesters.

Work is hard to say. It depends on where you live. Casual hours work great if family time is a priority. But there are no benefits attached. Are benefits and a pension important to you? But you have to remember as a new casual you will be at the bottom of the call in list and will be offered the least desirable shifts until they get to know you and your work. Permanent positions involve a shift rotation with working a set number of weekends being the norm. Day positions for new grads are few and far between and usually in medicentres or doctors offices which are non-union and not paid as well.

Only you can decide when the time is right. Work on your upgrading at night school or do you have to go back full time?

linzz · Jul 19, 2007

Yes, it is hard. What Fiona 59 said.