Entirely new to the field of nursing...

[n'mieu]

Hi everyone, i figured id make my first post a good one and just go right ahead and and start a thread.. (omg, that rhymed :) )

Anyhow, my name is Andrea and im 21 years old. As of litterally 45 minutes ago, I've decided to pursue nursing (RN-BSN and eventually to MSN) My husband was recently accepted to Podiatry school in Miami, at Barry University, and Im close to graduating with my BS in Business Administration. Our "plan" was for me to obtain my MBA from Barry University, in hopes of managing our practice, which would be geared towards sports podiatry/ wellness & spa.

My husband woke up today and realized his heart is not in podiatry (he got blinded by $ signs) and that his passion still lays in nutrition and excersize and is currently applying to physical therapy schools in the southeast.

His sudden change got me thinking about where my "true" passion lay, and i realized it was no where near being an entrepreneur. Whilst I know that i have a natural inclination towards business, I dont find it fullfilling or rewarding in any aspect other than monetary.

I love children, and spent my first year in undergrad working towards elementary education because of this. I was then turned away from it for the same reasons my husband turned towards dentistry, podiatry, MD/DO school... the money.

Ive finally come to terms with the fact that I need to be in a career where i feel great fullfilment by helping others directly, and am directly involved with babies. :) HOWEVER, the 24 need of nursing care is what concerns me, because I intend to be 110% there for my family, and am worried about jeopardizing my family life for my career... and would like some feed back from current neonatal or pediatric nurses regarding this topic.

Sorry for the essay! (i hope people actually reply to this thread)

-Andrea

[TazziRN, RN]

It's not just pedi nurses who can answer this question, it's one that fits all of us. Yes, you can have a great nursing career and still raise a family with your whole heart. Our families have learned to celebrate holidays on other days, etc., but it's doable. Those of us who work off shifts learn how to juggle family life around that.

[AprilRNhere]

You can be a nurse and put family first. You need to understand there are times when work is an issue..but most of the time just set boundaries. You can say no to extra shifts. Kids don't think much of what they don't know. If I celebrate Thanksgiving on sunday...instead of thursday...my kids won't mind. My daughter (3) already wants to be a nurse like me...because she sees how much I love it.

[paacollins]

Hi Andrea,

We have quite a bit in common. I'm a native Floridian, lived in FL for 28 years before moving to VA/NC. I have a BS in computer information systems and 4 classes short of a second BS in business admin. I also started on my MBA, thinking I might teach computer and business in college. I had wanted to be a nurse for many, many years but thought "I've already started a family so nursing school would be too time consuming; I don't handle death and dying well; I'm too soft-hearted, etc." Well I eventually decided to pursue nursing school afterall and I graduate in May of 2008. I can't wait to begin a career where I truly feel I am "called to."

Has nursing school been difficult with a family? Yes but it wasn't easy when I was working on my other degree either. Am I still soft-hearted? Yes but my compassion is a trait that nurses need.

As for whether a nursing career will be too time consuming, I will actually have more time with my family working 3 (12) hour shifts a week rather than a mon-fri 9 -5 office job.

I think you should both pursue your dreams because if your heart is not in your job, all the money in the world will not make you happy.

Oh, I'm 43 also so you have youth on your side as well. lol Best of luck to you.

[nurz2be]

Andrea,

It is NEVER too late to follow your heart. Says the 34 year old nursing student..

GOOD LUCK>>>>>

[Agnus]

Hi everyone, i figured id make my first post a good one and just go right ahead and and start a thread.. (omg, that rhymed :) )

Anyhow, my name is Andrea and im 21 years old. As of litterally 45 minutes ago, I've decided to pursue nursing (RN-BSN and eventually to MSN) My husband was recently accepted to Podiatry school in Miami, at Barry University, and Im close to graduating with my BS in Business Administration. Our "plan" was for me to obtain my MBA from Barry University, in hopes of managing our practice, which would be geared towards sports podiatry/ wellness & spa.

My husband woke up today and realized his heart is not in podiatry (he got blinded by $ signs) and that his passion still lays in nutrition and excersize and is currently applying to physical therapy schools in the southeast.

His sudden change got me thinking about where my "true" passion lay, and i realized it was no where near being an entrepreneur. Whilst I know that i have a natural inclination towards business, I dont find it fullfilling or rewarding in any aspect other than monetary.

I love children, and spent my first year in undergrad working towards elementary education because of this. I was then turned away from it for the same reasons my husband turned towards dentistry, podiatry, MD/DO school... the money.

Ive finally come to terms with the fact that I need to be in a career where i feel great fullfilment by helping others directly, and am directly involved with babies. :) HOWEVER, the 24 need of nursing care is what concerns me, because I intend to be 110% there for my family, and am worried about jeopardizing my family life for my career... and would like some feed back from current neonatal or pediatric nurses regarding this topic.

Sorry for the essay! (i hope people actually reply to this thread)

-Andrea

One of the reasons I went into nurse is to have some freedom to have a life outside of work. Nurses make enough that you do not have to work full time and still make as much as many other professionals.