Career change, nursing school and motherhood

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Hello,

I am a mom of 3 (2 yo, 3 yo & 10 yo). I'm also 27. I have a BS in social work. I never got my masters in social work because deep inside i knew social work wasn't quite it. I have always had the idea of midwifery in the back of my head but was too afraid to admit it. I've finally decided in 2019 ill be leaving my fulltime job and going back to school. I found a couple of perfect accelerated MSN programs I'm excited about but I am a bit worried. I know the work will be hard thats expected but I'm wondering if anyone has done this or is doing this as a mom? Whats it like for you and what is some advice you would give me? I plan to start school in 2019.

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Specializes in NICU, ICU, PICU, Academia.

Tens of thousands of nursing students are moms, dads and caregivers for their family members. My best advice is to start slowly. You'll need your science prerequisites, start on them now. Also be aware that when you say 'yes' to something, you say 'no' to others.

So if 'yes' means nursing school, 'no' might be attending all of your kids' sporting events. Nursing school is a moment in time that can lead to a rewarding career and financial security for your family. What you give up during the process is given up in pursuit of a better future.

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I just started nursing school, and I'm a mom of two (we also homeschool, but are making the transition to public school in the fall).

It's doable - but it is hard sometimes, because you miss them and they miss you. There are times when I need to study or be somewhere and the guilt eats at me. My school has lots of fun activities that I don't participate in, that I would if I wasn't married with kids.

But like meanmaryjean said above, I'm doing this for the betterment of my family. Me working is going to nearly double our income and allow us to have some really fun extra things for our kids. I'm also showing them what hard work and dedication looks like.

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I worked 30 hours a week my first 3 semesters of an ADN program and have two kids (now 6 and 8).

What got me through was my husband being 110% on board. I also was able to round up a couple of loans and a scholarship when I finally quit my last semester.

You miss somethings, but I tried to prioritize and make the most of time I had with them. It's short term pain for long term gain, it helped that my kids don't remember ever not being in school. I started my prerequisites before my youngest was born.

If this is what you want, you can do it!

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