Help with scheduling and convincing Hubby.

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Hi all-

I'm new....I desperately want to become a nurse (eventually would like L&D). I just went back to work full time as an Office Manager M-F 8:30-4:30. DH also works full time during the day/week. We have a 19 month old daughter. My dilemmas are: would I still be able to work and go to nursing school...from what I hear, i won't be able to work full time once clinicals start....(how do clinicals normally run as far as length of time, hrs per week etc?) We're finally at a point where we don't have to scrimp by every check and hubby doesn't (and neither do i) want to go back to that.

Also hubby is worried as far as having to take over a lot of responsibilities at the house and with our daughter. I know there is a serious commitment to go to nursing school, but my hubby is not being too supportive due to the issues listed above. Can anyone offer any advice for me, please?!

Thanks so much!

Brie

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bump...anybody? :)

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Specializes in Nursing Professional Development.

See my post in your other, identical thread.

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If this is something that you really want to do, I would hope that your husband would be supportive. You will both have to make sacrifices. I really don't think that it is possible to work full-time (especially a M-F, 9-5 type of job) and attend nursing school. What type of a program are you looking at?

I attended a BSN program and took pre-reqs and general education courses my first year of school. With creative scheduling, it may have been possible to work full-time during this year, but it also would have stretched it out past a year. The second year I was accepted into the nursing program and I started clinicals right away. I won't say that it is impossible, but it would be very difficult to work full-time during this and subsequent years. One of my classmates did work a full-time job, but she was able to use lots of vacation and sick days for clinicals and course responsibilites. Also, it was not a 9-5 job.

In my BSN program, clinicals were scheduled one day/wk for the year, two days/wk for the second, and full 12-hr shifts, 2-3 days/wk for the senior year. It varies by the school and program though. There was also a lot of time required outside of clinical for prepping. Also, the coursework required in nursing is not like most other majors. Classes are usually very long (3-4 hours, 2 days/wk for a clinical course) and may take up the entire day. It is a major time committment, but worth it if it is your dream.

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Specializes in Med-Surg.

It's a family affair when a mother goes to nursing school. You just can't do it alone. Not only is he going to carry much of the financial burden, he's going to have to help with the kids.

Clinicals typically are 4 to 8 hour shifts during the daytime during the week, although some schools have optional programs. Some private schools even do weekends only.

It is possible to work and go to school, many of us have to do it. Many mothers even work full time, go to school full time. When there's a will, there's a way, but it would be a thousand times easier if dh would buy into the idea.

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I agree with Tweety, you HAVE to have your husband's complete support, otherwise it will be a nightmare for everyone. I am 33 now, in my 20's a attempted college with the goal of becoming an RN. My husband, now ex husband, complained, moaned and groaned whenever I went to school. Heaven forbid that he fix a bowl of cereal for the kids and start a load of laundry! It was not worth it so I quit. As far as working full time...hmmm...I don't know, I know it has been done before, I guess that is when you do serious soul searching on what other sacrifices you are willing to make because something is going to have to give.

Good Luck

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Working Monday-Friday, 9-5 seems impossible while in nursing school. Clinicals are usually 4-8 hrs long. Some colleges do have a night and weekend program for working mothers, but of course, it would take longer. Do some research on nursing programs in your area to see which ones would offer such a program to fit your needs.

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Specializes in Home Health Care.

My clinicals were mon & tues from 6:30-3:30, classes were Wed & Thurs 8-5. Each school is very different. I had no time to work outside the home with 3 kids to take care of and study. Other gals did have to work, go to school and study (they struggled hard!).

Maybe showing your husband the money you can make or expressing this is something you really want to do, might change his tune. Or you can do like I did to convince my hubby.....I was obsessive with watching discovery health channel: Life in the E.R, Maternity Ward, Untold Stories. He got so sick of it and finally asked why don't I go out and make a living at it instead of sitting on my behind wasting time. I thought, great idea and enrolled in school that week.

Another thing to consider is after you graduate and pass boards. It's very difficult for new grad/nurses to get hired on day shifts. Your husband needs to also get used to the possibility of you working nights/eve, holidays & 12 hour shifts at first.

I am going to take my first nursing job ever as a PRN-RN at a mental health unit starting next month. What I will make in 1- 12 hr shift, will be greater than my current salary ( office assistant) for the entire 40 hr. week!! My husband is quite alright with that!!

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