Grrrr....

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Ok - I've been on and off this board for years now, struggling to find a way to feasibly go to nursing school. Before it was my family's reliance on me for health insurance. Then it was not being able to take my prereqs without it coming into conflict withy work schedule. So- now with Obamacare we can finally get our own insurance (hubby is a diabetic so this was an issue before) and I found prereqs at a local cc offered on Sundays. Yay!

Then I shared my excitement with my mom. Huge mistake! She shot my idea right down and told me my kids (they're 3 and 7) would only suffer because I'd be out of the house even more than I already am.

Now, I feel guilty and doubtful once again. What if she's right? Gah.

Advice?

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I went back to school full time at age 36 as a single mom of four, and all my family lived out of state. My kids at the time were 5,7,9 and 11. They did not suffer in the least from my going back to school. Quite to the contrary: they saw my hard work and cheered me on. No disrespect to your mother, but I completely disagree.

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Thank you. I'm feeling so awful right now. I'm turning 36 in two weeks and have wanted to pursue nursing for so long now. I had completely given up until yesterday when I discovered those courses and I finally felt happy again. There was a possibility!! Now today I'm just feeling bummed again. I was hoping for more support as she's an ex-nurse.

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Don't be bummed.....be motivated! If it's what you really want, then do it! I know it's difficult. I had so many people tell me I was crazy, but it was what I needed to do.

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You are looking to improve your life and the lives of your family members. Sure, some sacrifices will probably have to be made while you're in the thick of school. But when it is all said and done, everyone will be in a better place. Quite the opposite of suffering, if you ask me. Don't let anybody shoot you down and keep you from doing what you want to do. Not even your mother.

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Go to school when the kiddos are in school! I have a 4 and 6 year old with a complex terminal illness and I'm going to school. You can do it and she has to realize that sometimes, exceptions need to be made

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Don't I wish I could go to school during the day. But until I actually get accepted to a program I have to take my prereqs around my work schedule. This means my only option right now is this Sunday class I found. The evening classes start before I get out of work and I don't want to rock the boat by leaving early. I also don't want my employer to know I'm attempting this. I was just made manager - what sort of example would I be setting if anyone knew I was attempting to switch careers ? Anyhoo... I just need to brush off what mom said. It's not forever. It's just for a semester at a time...

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A lot of pre-reqs can also be taken online. I got a lot of mine out of the way that way.

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I think some parents cannot see the fact that things are what they used to be where the mom can stay home. Unfortunately most families require a double income, its just the way it is. Your mom needs to understand that you want a better career than what you are currently working (I assume), and in order to successfully do this you will need all the support you can get. Furthermore, your kids are young.....they get more expensive trust me, the income a nurse makes could definitely open doors for you to provide for your children comfortably......surely she wants you to be financially comfortable and your children to be well provided for.......

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Specializes in ICU.

I am a single mom to an 8 year old boy doing school full time for the past year. It's a matter of organizing and prioritizing so your kids don't miss out. I take my classes during the day while my son is in school and am out before he gets done at school. I do have a great support system set up so my son has a babysitter say during school closings and 2 hour delays. I do miss some days of school if he is sick. He also does competitive judo so we travel on weekends and practice 4 days a week and I make sure he never misses because that is his activity. I do lots of studying at Courtyard Marriotts and in the dojo. I will tell you it is a struggle to try and balance everything. I am very new to this single mom thing. But my son is proud of me and I am showing him that you can have whatever you dream of if you work hard enough. He cannot wait for me to be a nurse. So you can look at it that way too. You will be setting an example for your kids. That is what is important. But don't miss out on their important stuff either. They are only this age once.

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There comes a time in your life when you have to focus on yourself. Believe me, I understand exactly where you are coming from. I am married with four kids and I have spent the majority of my adult life taking care of everyone else's needs but my own (I think every mom does this). Your kids will see how hard you have worked to go back to school and it will benefit everyone in the long run. I wish you the best of luck!

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All great advice. Thanks everyone!

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