HELP - need advice!

Nursing Students General Students

Published

I am newly separated from my husband of fifteen years with two teenage boys at home. I am currently in my second semester of an ASN program and have always planned to attend the Summer session, which will be my third semester. Due to the separation, I am beginning a job as a PCT on 3/3 (yay!) but if I do take Summer classes, the clinical rotation alone is M,W,F 6:30am-6:30pm and then on Tuesdays I am in class from 8-1. The situation with my husband is a pretty extreme one, very sad. He will not be having time alone with our children and is currently unemployed = no child support or weekend stays. As it is, I am not sure how we are going to make it financially.

I am debating whether to attend the Summer session (10wks) and somehow make it work while trying to work at least 24hrs a week -or- skip the Summer session and graduate five months later in May, 2015. Maybe if I skip the Summer session, I can work more hours and *maybe* find a way to even put a little money back for when I can't work much.

Thoughts???

0 Votes
I am newly separated from my husband of fifteen years with two teenage boys at home. I am currently in my second semester of an ASN program and have always planned to attend the Summer session which will be my third semester. Due to the separation, I am beginning a job as a PCT on 3/3 (yay!) but if I do take Summer classes, the clinical rotation alone is M,W,F 6:30am-6:30pm and then on Tuesdays I am in class from 8-1. The situation with my husband is a pretty extreme one, very sad. He will not be having time alone with our children and is currently unemployed = no child support or weekend stays. As it is, I am not sure how we are going to make it financially. I am debating whether to attend the Summer session (10wks) and somehow make it work while trying to work at least 24hrs a week -or- skip the Summer session and graduate five months later in May, 2015. Maybe if I skip the Summer session, I can work more hours and *maybe* find a way to even put a little money back for when I can't work much. Thoughts???[/quote']

First of all, I'm so sorry that this has happened to you. I can't imagine going through something like that right now *hugs*

If I were you I would rather take the summer to get my priorities in order with money, children and the separation. Graduating 5 months later is a pretty fair trade-off to give yourself time to get things in order, make some money and deal with the whole situation. You have the opportunity to take the time off now, so I would do it. Good luck to you!!

0 Votes
First of all, I'm so sorry that this has happened to you. I can't imagine going through something like that right now *hugs*

If I were you I would rather take the summer to get my priorities in order with money, children and the separation. Graduating 5 months later is a pretty fair trade-off to give yourself time to get things in order, make some money and deal with the whole situation. You have the opportunity to take the time off now, so I would do it. Good luck to you!!

Thank you very much christina731, that is the direction I think I am heading. I am just so scared to make the wrong decision right now - so any and all advice is welcome.

0 Votes

Honestly I would push through and do the summer. Pcts do not make much money. There would be very little or nothing to put away. Furthermore, you're giving up five months of future nurse salary which is a ton more money!!

0 Votes

But school is hard, and 24hours/week is a lot of time to take away from your education.

In five years, those five months will be meaningless. Take the summer to regroup, spend it with your kids (no daycare costs!) and come back in the fall ready to kick butt!

Been there, done that, got the tee shirt (and the degree)!

0 Votes

Eh I worked full time all the way through nursing school with no problem. Personally I found I learned more by watching at work than by sitting in the classroom.

0 Votes
Specializes in Public Health.

Your plan to work through the summer is a good one. If you did the summer session then that gives you a total of five 12s per week plus studying and what not. If you work full time this summer and even get some OT in, you can save quite a bit! PCTs are not rolling in the dough but as a former CNA in a hospital, I made more than enough to pay bills and live life while also attending NS full time.

Also, your kids are teens, are they able to get after school jobs? That may help give the spending money, occupy their time and help foster responsibility and money management skills.

This will not be easy but it will all be worth it in the end and you and your boys will be better off for all your hard work.

0 Votes
Your plan to work through the summer is a good one. If you did the summer session then that gives you a total of five 12s per week plus studying and what not. If you work full time this summer and even get some OT in, you can save quite a bit! PCTs are not rolling in the dough but as a former CNA in a hospital, I made more than enough to pay bills and live life while also attending NS full time.

Also, your kids are teens, are they able to get after school jobs? That may help give the spending money, occupy their time and help foster responsibility and money management skills.

This will not be easy but it will all be worth it in the end and you and your boys will be better off for all your hard work.

I love this - thank you so much :-)

0 Votes
Specializes in Hospital Education Coordinator.

I also believe the time off this summer would be good for you and the boys to learn to be a new type of family. You do not need the additional stress right now. So sorry you are in this situation, but you are brave to stick to your goal!

0 Votes
I also believe the time off this summer would be good for you and the boys to learn to be a new type of family. You do not need the additional stress right now. So sorry you are in this situation, but you are brave to stick to your goal!

Thank you :) I have decided to take the summer off and readjust my goals. I suppose this is also a lesson that can be applied in nursing later - the need to be flexible!

0 Votes
Thank you :) I have decided to take the summer off and readjust my goals. I suppose this is also a lesson that can be applied in nursing later - the need to be flexible!

Sorry to hear about your situation. You've made the right choice by taking the summer off. That would give you more time to spend with your kids in a difficult time like this. At such time, they need that support and attention. And also you will be able to provide for them both financially (no matter how little, its better than nothing) and emotionally. In a situation like this, family comes first.

All the best and hope it works out for the better. PRAY.... ({})

0 Votes

Hey Girlie:

In my opinion, if you have the option to take that time off and get your affairs in order, I think that would be best. You can always come back and like you said, graduate in May of 2015. That's only next year! We are thrown curveballs in life and although it may seem like the world is crashing down on you, this is just a small pebble to build that successful road that you have before you. I am sorry you are going through this, but you will be okay. I am sure of it!

Take care.

0 Votes
+ Add a Comment