Mothers - Is nursing school realistic for me?

[Natalieboo]

I am 22 years old and soon to be a mother of two in November. I've known only for a few years now that I very much want to go to nursing school.

I married a Canadian 3 years ago and am just now filing my permanent residency papers here. I have to be a permanent resident for a year before I can apply to the 4 year BScN program at UWO. I'm starting to feel like I won't be accepted, I won't be able to get the financial aid, arrange childcare, and that this just isn't doable.

I would love to hear from people that have been in a similar situation and succeeded. I think I need some encouragement -- I'm starting to get down about not ever achieving my dream. Thanks for listening! :)

[Rhoresmith]

YOU CAN DO IT!!!! I am almost 44 yrs old and started school the same year as my 25th high school reunion that was scary, I thought oh with older kids 21,17,13 it would be easier WRONG the older kids have activities (13 son plays lots of sports) need rides and have very hard homework that they need help with. It is never easy but if you want it bad enough you can do it. I am a displaced worker being retrained so I was given so much money but it is not going to get me all the way through and I do not qualifiy for any aid and even allot of scholarships have financial restrictions so I am out in the cold and will have to borrow money to do this but I am NOT giving up so if this has been you dream do it for yourself and for your family you will be a happier and better Mom and wife if you are working in a job you love and feel you are making a difference in peoples lives. Nursing is also a field where you should never have a problem finding a job, at least here in USA and I am sure I read Canada has a shortage too Good luck Rhonda

[manna, BSN, RN]

There are alot of "success stories" here - as evidenced by the gals who've posted on this thread already. I'm of the belief that you can accomplish anything, as long as you're willing to work hard enough and long enough! Tenacity is a very useful character trait. :)

I'm the mother of two boys (5 and 2) and I've worked full-time for the past 4-5 years while doing my pre-reqs. My husband and I are separated in a sense, since he lives on the other side of the state (due to his job). I'm fortunate enough that my hard work has paid off, and I'll be leaving my job and beginning the junior year of a BSN program this fall - which will be completely paid for by grants and scholarships.

Best of luck to you! :)

[lanitra]

There are alot of "success stories" here - as evidenced by the gals who've posted on this thread already. I'm of the belief that you can accomplish anything, as long as you're willing to work hard enough and long enough! Tenacity is a very useful character trait. :)

I'm the mother of two boys (5 and 2) and I've worked full-time for the past 4-5 years while doing my pre-reqs. My husband and I are separated in a sense, since he lives on the other side of the state (due to his job). I'm fortunate enough that my hard work has paid off, and I'll be leaving my job and beginning the junior year of a BSN program this fall - which will be completely paid for my grants and scholarships.

Best of luck to you! :)

Manna,

Can you tell me how you managed to "juggle" raising the kids, homework, lab time, etc. WHILE working full time? I've thought about not enrolling the summer and fall b/c I'm having such a difficult time. I haven't found a successful way of keeping the laundry together, providing healthy meals and being succeessful in my classwork. I'm not saying that it isn't "doable" and maybe I'm looking for an easy way, but I'm already 30 (just turned), started completely over in my classwork, and still have a son to raise. I'm not a single mother and my husband is wonderful, but there are still only things that mothers can do. Unfortunately, my husband is not off on the weekends so I can't look forward to that time. Please tell me, how do you do it??

[manna, BSN, RN]

Manna,

Can you tell me how you managed to "juggle" raising the kids, homework, lab time, etc. WHILE working full time?

I wish I could tell you I had a magical pill or formula to proven success - but that's not so. The only reason I can give you that I've succeeded up until now is that I fiercely want an education. Like I mentioned before, I'm of the opinion of you want something badly enough, it is possible (but that doesn't mean it will be easy). Short term sacrifice produces long-term rewards.

I have an 8-5 type of office job. I took most of my pre-reqs online, with a few at night. I've done most of my studying after the boys go to bed. On the weekends we'll go to the park and I'll bring my textbooks along, or I'll pop in a video for them at home while I take an online exam.

The key to housework with me is that I cannot fall behind. I know if I do, I'll never catch up. I still end up doing most of our housework on the weekends, and enlist the boys help whenever possible. I've also tried to simplify my life - getting rid of clutter, disconnecting our satellite TV service, etc. My mantra in this area is - the less you have, the less to keep clean. And who really needs all that "stuff' anyway?

I also am a big fan of paper plates, forks, glasses.... Once-a-month/freezer cooking also helps, and I don't know what I'd do without my crockpot. :)

I'll admit that I don't get a lot of "me" time and sometimes end up feeling a bit burned out.

I have to constantly remind myself to look at the big picture - that I can do ANYTHING for a limited period of time, especially when the rewards at the end will be so great.

My original goal was to graduate college by the time my first son was in kindergarten (he graduated kindy 2 weeks ago). I didn't make that goal, but I'm setting myself a new one: graduating by the time I'm 30. I plan on achieving this one. :)

How old is your son?

Sorry I don't have any more meaningful advice to offer - I wish you the best of luck. Feel free to PM me if you ever need someone to listen. :)

[tmitch]

I can definately sympathize with you, minus the whole change of residency situation. I am also 22, married, with a 10 month old son and another child due in January[surprise!!!!]. I feel very blessed, but at the same time I worry about finishing my education. I applied to nursing school for Fall 2004 and will hopefully hear something within the next two weeks.

My decision to become a nurse came on the heels of giving birth to my son. For me, something just feels right about this profession; and I truly believe if that's where you are meant to be, it WILL happen. My thoughts are with you. Take care of yourself and your babies. Good luck! :)

[jeepgirl, LPN, NP]

i was a single mom and 17 when I went back to school. I'm 20 and graduated this past May. My daughter is 3.

It is doable. You will just have to pull on every resource imaginable that you have available to you, and you must have the mindset that you will not let anything get in your way.

you can do it!

[CNMtobe2012]

If you have the will there's always a way. I am 23 years old and a single mother with a 3 year old daughter. I was not always as sure of myself as I am now. I spent the first FOUR YEARS (keep in mind FULL-Time) of college majoring in areas I thought I would make alot of money but knew I would never love ( changed my major 3x's). It was not until I had my daughter I realized what I wanted to do with my life. Anything you want in life you can have......if you want it bad enough. I go to school full time and I work part and at times it gets hard but I have family and friends that support my efforts. I just finished my fifth year of college and still have to more years to go. WOOOOH. Its been a long time, wish I would have found out earlier what I want to do in life. I always tell myself that the struggles I am facing now will only make my success sweeter in the end! YOU CAN DO IT!

[KikiRN06]

I am a mother of 3 10, 8, and 5. I started back to school a year and a half ago and completed my first semester of nursing school in the spring. I took all of my general classes first so that when I got into my program I would only have my nursing classes to worry about. It was tough at times but I finished my first semesters with all A's and I also worked 30 hours a week while attending school. You just have to learn to pace yourself and let somethings slide, laundry and dishes don't always have to be done ect... I have learned to live by a "Don't sweat the small stuff " philosophy. When it's time for exams or skills evaluations I just put my house on auto pilot and concetrate on the task at hand the dirty laundry isn't going anywhere.

[RNNoMore]

The only thing that would concern me, is that it does take a long, long time for residency status to come through. As a British ex-pat living in the USA, it took just over 2 years for our 'green card' applications to finally get processed, and we had a special immigration lawyer sorting it all out for us. However, our whole family is English - it may come through quicker if you are married to an American. I hope so!

Even if you don't get in this year, you could still start doing some of the pre-req's as a non-resident student (although it's costly!). Double check with your college exactly what 'residency' means to them, it may not mean the same as being an official permanent resident of the USA, but may just mean that you've lived in the area for a certain time. I don't know, because I didn't even think of starting college until my green card had come through, so I'm not sure of the regulations.

Best wishes, Paint.