Going to work after you have Children

realnursealso/LPN, LPN · Jun 17, 2012

When I was 26, my now exhusband, came home from work one day and said, I got fired today. At first I thought he was joking, he wasn't. We had a 4yr. old and a 5 yr. old and had just bought our own home. I was a stay at home mom, and had been our whole marriage so far. My ex found another job very shortly after, but it made me think. I'd been wanting to be a nurse for a long time, and had been reading about our local BOCES. I decided a few weeks later to look into the BOCES LPN program. The next February I started school, and graduated that December. So the years went on, and I worked full time. It made it so we could do things and keep our heads above water. But the story isn't over yet. Fast forward to 24 years later when my husband walked out the door, and we got a divorce. So there I was, the kids were grown, and I was on my own. If I hadn't gone to school many years before, what would I have done? How would I at 50 years old, make it, support myself? Now don't take me wrong, the same won't happen to everyone. Being a stay at home mom was wonderful, and it was the most fufilling job I ever had. I don't mean to say that not having a job outside the home is wrong. For me in retrospect, going to Nursing School was the best decision I ever made, and it made all the difference being able to support myself, and carry on. Good luck in what ever you decide.

ejm123 · Jun 17, 2012

I'm a single mom to one. I work part time as a CNAI/CNAII mostly 1 and I'm in my last semester of the LPN program. If its something you want to do, do it! I feel like we all should have a plan when we have children as far as education and a certainty of a career to support our babies. Good luck to you in whatever you decide.

Anne36, LPN · Jun 22, 2012

Okay, here is my story. I stayed home for 18 years and had 4 children before I started my first pre-req classes. I was only able to manage part time night classes and needed some remedial math as well so it took me a few years but I just graduated with my LPN in April. I started pre-reqs when my youngest was 3, but I didnt actually begin the nursing program until my youngest was in all day school which really helped a lot as we never had the expense of daycare.

loriangel14, RN · Jun 26, 2012

I was a stay at home mom to two girls and I went back to work part time when they were both in school. I only worked a couple of days a week and it didn't contribute much to the household.Then my marriage ended and I got laid of from my job (in the same week).I immediately needed full time work to support me and my girls. I was 38 years old.I got hired doing homecare and went to school part time to get my Personal Support Worker( sort of like a CNA,I'm in Canada) certificate. Then I got the courage to apply to a Practical Nursing program that was being offered part time as an evening program.I worked two jobs seven days a week and went to school nights.With the support of my family a lot of hard work I eventually graduated.My girls are both in college, I bought a house in December and we are going to Europe for 2 weeks in July.

You can do it. No matter how huge an undertaking it seems, you will get there. Just have faith and take it one day at a time.Some day you will look back at it all and realize how far you have come.Good luck and if you need support you always have the gang at AN.