Do school now or wait?

RNTutor, BSN, RN · May 26, 2010

Hi Sarah, and welcome to allnurses!

I would recommend just doing whatever you think is best for you and your family. There will always be a need for good nurses.

And I think everyone here will tell you something different in terms of the nursing shortage. On the one hand yes, there is a nursing shortage, and it is projected to last for decades. On the other hand, you can see a lot of posts by new grads that are currently having trouble finding a job.

As for doing nursing school with 3 kids...it can definitely be done. I was in an accelerated program, and there were several people in my class with kids of varying ages at home. I really think it just depends on what you want. You do need to make sure you have childcare arrangements, backups, (and sometimes a backup for the backup) because you really don't want to miss your clinical days. So if your sitter flakes or your child is sick, you'll need a plan B.

The other thing to consider is if you already finished your prereqs, how well will you retain the info over 2 years of not using it? A&P especially is VERY important, andif you forget a lot of it then you will have a much tougher time with your nursing classes. That's not a dealbreaker, just something to think about.

Chapis · May 26, 2010

welcome to allnurses!

this is my advise for you. apply to the nursing program because the two years it will take for the nursing program to come around for you to then apply that time will pass, so the question is, while those two years pass you can work at getting your rn degree or those two years will pass and you still won't have a rn degree? i know kids need our time, i have a three year old, but the sacrifice will have to be made either now or later, i'll rather do it now since time is still going to pass.

i feel bad for the times i don't spend time with my son, but to be honest he won't remember i didn't play with him as he would've wanted to, so i'm doing the sacrifice now that he was less memory of my time than waiting until he's in school and he will have a memory then, and more of my time will have to be spent helping him everyday with his homework. wouldn't it be better to think that two years have passed and you have your rn degree?!!

i say, go for it now!

god bless,

chapis

jewelspassion · May 26, 2010

Hello, i think you should be careful while waiting. I know because i have waited myself, my boys are a little older than you, but the few times i was ready to start i chose to wait, moving, baby, etc. Some schools will not accept you if your prerequisites are older than 5 years, especially your anatomy/physiology/microbiology. So i would check with your school to make sure. Another thing is sometimes the chancellor's office makes changes every so often. Almost a little harder each time. First a higher math, then entrance exams and i've heard a few other changes they are wanting to make, it's crazy!!!

Be careful not to let your emotions get the best of you, because when you are sitting there at home with baby you might just think oh gosh i could of done this. I honestly don't blame you for not wanting to put your youngest in daycare-that stinks. I cried when i had to put mine in for a short time when my youngest was 1 1/2, of course i got over it.

You've worked so hard to get where your at. Weigh the cons and pros of leaving your child. You could find a really good daycare with a lot of hard searching. You never know she/he might enjoy the socializing and learning of childcare, it has to be the right one!! They are out there. Regardless there will always be something to sacrifice while in school-a load of laundry,a hot meal,quality time w/fam, time for yourself, and the list will go on and on.

I will be starting this Fall and i finished my prereqs in 2005 with a 4.0 GPA-years later i am starting, my kids are still small but i'm pushing myself, i want a good future for them, i don't want them to be in their early teens and me still struggling.

You know with the right attitude and some adjustments i bet you could do it-there just has to be structure, kids love/need structure, consistency. when you start school you will need all of those things or else it will be chaos!!

So think about it-do you want to start this time-if yes! then do it, everything will work itself out!!

Good Luck!:)

Neldavi · May 27, 2010

Thanks for the replies. I definitely have a lot to think about. My prerequisites will still be accepted in 2 1/2 years, when I'll be applying. I've basically been a stay at home mom for the past 6 years - I was able to do my prerequisites online and in 2 afternoons a week - so the thought of putting my 1 year old in full-time daycare is just really hard for me. At the same time, selfishly, I just want to do it. I'm ready. Thanks for the advice, it's all helpful :).

knittingmonster · May 27, 2010

My situation has been almost the same. I did pre-reqs and then found out I was pregnant. The school I chose started about the time my baby was due, so I did sit out a bit. I started when my daughter was 11 months and I had a 4 and 6 yr old at the time. I did put them in daycare full-time. It was a little hard since I had been a sahm for so long, but they adjusted, although I won't pretend that it was necessarily an easy transition.

As far as juggling it all, I think it is doable. My husband is very supportive and his job has some flexibilty so that has worked out. I still take my kids to daycare on days I don't have class so I have some study time there. I fit it in after bed and while they are playing. My house is a diaster, but the kids are alive, fed and clothed and loved. My grades have run right around the mid-B to high-B mark and I've been able to get involved with the program. I don't have a ton of spare time to go out with friends or just chill outside in nice weather, but I can find time to fit that in as well.

You have to do what is best for your family. I personally went for it because I couldn't handle the thought of sitting out any longer. That and I was scared I wouldn't actually finish if I did. I hate the sacrifice of time with my children. I still wouldn't change my decision. It was also pretty cool to read my son's school journal that he kept this year and see where he wrote that "My mom is going to be a nurse." Okay, it wasn't spelled like that, but it made me smile.

RNTutor, BSN, RN · May 27, 2010

It was also pretty cool to read my son's school journal that he kept this year and see where he wrote that "My mom is going to be a nurse." Okay, it wasn't spelled like that, but it made me smile.

I love it

Chapis · May 27, 2010

so what are you going to do after all?