Re: Career change and choices

[marwan]

Hi there,

Just signed up today. I'm a graduate of BA and been in a sitting job for 14 years. Enrolled in a nursing program in Toronto in 2005; got too excited about my 1st pregnancy in later part of 2005, so I left school. Now that my daughter is 10-month old, I'm thinking of going back to where I left nursing. The thing is, I'm now living in MA. I still want to pursue a career in nursing and I'm really hoping that colleges here will transfer the credits I earned (1 year of hardwork). I urgently need advice from members here. Do you think I will be able to continue my studies while taking care of my 10-month-old child? Daycare is not in our budget at this time. I'm been out of work since I gave birth so it's my husband who's working. Please advise. I need to hear the experiences of those who initially thought it's "impossible to achieve" but who were able to make it through the finish line.

[Tweety, BSN, RN]

Hi. I moved your post out of someone's thread in the introduction thread where it's bound to be lost without answer.

I think anything's possible. Many a mother made it through nursing school with young kids. Time management and prioritizing are a must, but it can be done.

Good luck.

[WDWpixieRN, RN]

I'm in my second semester of an ASN program and I've seen both. Many mothers with young children who are getting through school -- successfully. At least one I know who dropped out during our first semester. You need to have a good support system -- friends, family, etc., who you can leave your child with when you have school obligations. Clinical days for us start at 0630....in first semester that's twice a week every other week. This semester it's one day a week, and I understand next semester it's 2 days a week. Then there's lab time, any homework/projects, and study time you need to be able to schedule. Is your husband going to be supportive? Can you live with fast food or lots of soup and cereal and slightly less-than-perfect housekeeping while you're in school?

From the perspective of a mom who finished my first degree while my kids were actually in school, I wished I had done it while they were MUCH younger. Yes, you might miss out on their very first word or that very first tooth being cut. But you miss out on an awful lot when they're older and in sports and have school functions you want to participate in or they need homework or help with a situation with their friends or need driven to endless places. And now these are little (or big) people with feelings and emotions and verbal skills to let you know when they're feeling shortchanged. They cost a lot more too!!

So it's a bit of a tradeoff. I think nursing offers some wonderful opportunities for moms to work around their kids -- part-time, full-time, nights, evenings, etc.

I don't know that there's a 'best' time to go to school, but if you've got the support systems, and the drive, I don't know any reason why you couldn't do this now.

Best wishes!!