Am I crazy?

future L&Dnurse · Dec 20, 2007

Personally, I wasn't able to juggle work, family, and school. I quit my part time job at the start of my senior year - I just couldn't manage it all any more. BUT, that's not to say that you won't be able to. So much depends on your program, your family life, study habits, etc. You can always quit later, if you find that you can't manage it all. I would suggest getting approved for financial aid, just in case, so that if you need it you can take out a loan later on. And then just see how it goes.

Good luck!

love-d-OR · Dec 20, 2007

I worked and still work 24-36 hrs/wk while in nursing school. I sont have kids and I am not married though, so...

~Stacy · Dec 20, 2007

I thinks it's doable. Your kids are at good ages. I'm a divorced mother of three kids 16, 11, & 8, and I have always worked while going to school. If you have a boss that will work with you that is even better. I have worked for the same company for fourteen years and my boss is my friend so that helps me a lot. I start nursing school in January and have decided to work all weekends. I'm doing it on a trial basis and I will adjust my days or nights if it's not working out. Do you have any support from family and friends with your kids? I am very grateful that I do or this probably would not work out. Also, I keep one day just to do stuff with them and only them no work, no school, and no housework. I wish you the best on your decision.

MrsCannibal · Dec 20, 2007

I think it is completely doable, since you have hubby's support. I found that I could NOT work during nursing school, because my hubby had to move 3 States away for a new duty station, and the 3 kids and I stayed in Indiana while I finished nursing school. If he had been at home, it would have been easy to work 15-20 hours a week! Good luck!

fmrnicumom · Dec 20, 2007

It sounds like you have a good support system, which is critical. In addition to that, it will definitely depend on you, your job, and your program. I have talked with people who have worked through nursing school because they didn't have a choice, and they all said they wouldn't have worked if they didn't have to. If you don't absolutely have to, it might be better not to, just because of the stress. (Of course some people would feel more stressed if they were *not* working.) I think it also depends on your children. My son has some special needs and I have to be able to take him to appointments and such, so if I had to work in addition to nursing school, with my program, I wouldn't be able to do that. That's just my situation though. I'm sure you will figure out what will work best for you and your family.

Good luck whatever you decide to do! :)

Tiffany

lulu1224 · Dec 20, 2007

Thanks everybody for the great replies. For everyone that is starting in January good luck to you. One more month of nonstressfulness (is that even a word?)

future L&Dnurse · Dec 20, 2007

I didn't notice your kids' ages at first - mine are younger (3 and 5, right now, they were 2 and 4 when I started the nursing curriculum) and I think that had a lot to do with it. I bet you'll be able to do it, with kids that are a little older than mine!

SONIC281 · Dec 21, 2007

I will be starting my second semester of nusring school in January. I worked 50-60 hrs per week during my first semester, so I would say 15-20 hrs per week would be no problem. I too have a good support system in place. That is the key. My wife works a full time job and handles the majority of the child care duties. We have a 7 yr old. The down side of working so many hours is that you have a lot of really late study nights and get burned out toward the end of the semester.

liltweedy03 · Dec 21, 2007

I agree with the others. There is no way I could do this but maybe you can. Set a schedule. And see how it works.