Big Decision--last minute opening

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Specializes in Skilled Rehab Nurse.

Hi all,

I had been planning on starting the nursing program in Spring of 2014 based on my spot on the waiting list. However, on Thursday night I got the call that a last minute opening is available. I have until Monday at noon to decide. If I turn it down, I won't lose my spot on the waiting list. Here are the pros/cons:

Pros:

1. Get to start sooner and be done sooner

2. Know some of my classmates

Cons:

1. Not sure how to swing it financially. Was counting several more months of working full time (non health care job).

2. My husband is disabled and I have not figured out yet how to get him to and from work.

3. I'm in the middle of a lot of big projects in my current job and leaving now would put them in a huge bind.

If I say yes, I'll have to work probably up until the day before so I won't have a lot of time to get things figured out.

Is it crazy to say no? Is it crazy to say yes?

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Honestly, I would turn it down if I were in your situation. If you accept, there will be lots of stress going on in your life outside of school trying to figure everything out, and then there's that nursing school stress which is major. I would say just get everything together before you start nursing school so when you start that's the ONLY thing you have to worry about. I know it's hard to say no, but TO ME, that would be the best thing to do. Just because the cons outweigh the pros, it might not be so good for you to start just yet.

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I say turn it down, as long as you are guaranteed a spot in the Spring. You seem to have a lot on your plate right now, and won't be able to put all the time and effort that nursing school entails.

I have to admit though, if I was in your spot I would have a hard time saying no.

Good luck!

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I would say it's crazy to say yes. Your husband and your finances are more important than getting an early start. I couldn't imagine having that much on my plate when I started my program. As long as your spot will still be there in the spring I would wait.

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I agree with all the posters above.

I was faced with the same decision just this past Friday. I am returning to nursing school after a year long hiatus while taking care of my ailing father. I went in to my school and registered for the current morning class, planning to join them in October when they get to the point where I left off.

Friday morning I got the call that there was a seat opening in the evening class starting Monday thanks to a student dropping the course.

There is nothing I want more than to get back to class ASAP and graduate. However, my husband and I are literally in the process of moving (I currently live almost two hours away from my school!) and my mother is scheduled for a complete shoulder reconstruction surgery in two weeks and will need a lot of help in the coming weeks. That isn't even counting the finances my hubby and I would have to pop out of thin air in two days.

It's a tough decision to wait longer to begin, but considering all of the things you have going on in your life I think it's best for you to wait it out. The stress you would put on yourself would definitely not make class any easier and it could negatively affect your own health- which wouldn't help you or your husband! Times flys by, it'll be spring before we know it and you'll be done with school and working as a nurse before you know it! Congrats on acceptance into your program, and I hope everything works out in your favor no matter your decision!

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+1; look at it this way - you're making an opportunity for a person like, well, me! :cool:

----- Dave

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Wow, what a conundrum. Are you 100% certain you will have a spot in 2014? Are you certain all the concerns you mentioned above will be resolved in 2014? If you are, probably best to wait.

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Specializes in Ambulatory Care.

I agree with others and would wait until beginning the program in the Spring. You will have the time to wrap up the projects at your work, possibly save some $, and figure out how to get your husband to and from work. You will also have the time to prepare for the program (get all the books, supplies, and get any questions you might have about the program answered). It's true - Spring will come so fast, and with none of that pressure you will be able to devote yourself to the studies. May everything go smoothly for you! Congrats on getting into the nursing program! :yeah:

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