Here is my plan - am I crazy?

SueNYC · Apr 9, 2009

I'm still waiting for the crazy part :lol2: !! It seems as if these days, with nursing school, if you dont have some "story" or "situation" youre currently going through, you arent in the majority. No longer are classes full of students straight out of HS, many students are second, third career nurses with families.

If this is what you truly want to do in terms of a career choice, then your limitations are of your own. Nursing school is tough to say the least but doable with the right support system. Also, you say that eventually you intend to cut your days at work to three, would it be possible to cut it all together at some later point? Because although you have free time at work, studying nursing material requires COMPLETE concentration in order to be effective. Are you doing the bsn route? Whichever pathway you choose, good luck to you!

987! · Apr 9, 2009

I nothing nothing what you said is crazy at all and everything you are planning to do is extremely doable!!!!

You are so lucky that you have a job where you are able to cut your hours to 3 days a week!

I am a single girl 26 year old who HAS to work full time! My plan is to also finish up my pre-reqs by 2010 (I take 2 classes onky at night after work) and continue to work full time through nursing school until I graduate!

BeenThereDoneThat74, MSN, RN · Apr 9, 2009

On paper, your plan sounds well thought out and realistic. You and your husband are planning your future well, and are considering what the other needs to do to accomplish your goals. You are not trying to rush to get it done. As a professor, one of the things I hear all too often (usually from people younger than you) is "I NEED to get this done in 2 years. Why??? You are going to be working for at least 30 more years (sorry to depress you :cry: ).

A few things you do need to consider (for both of you):

Please know that the commitment outsde of the classroom is huge. Bigger than you could even imagine. If your nursing theeory class is 5 hours a week, you need to put in at least an hour a day (in my opinion) reviewing and reading over your notes, text, etc. You cannot cram at the last minute for exams. This will cut into your time with your kids, who will need you for HW and other needs. (of course, you are doing this for them, so they will have you all to themselves when it is all over ). My students are in their 2nd semester, and are realizing the more they put into it at home, the better the results. Ones who are not ding well have admitted they are not studying enough. Even the students who had A's in their pre-requisites are realizing it takes more work.

Clinical is a huge commtiment as well (and will be for your husband). I would start thinking about it now, who do you have to help you out. You mentioned you are looking for an evening program, which is better (many morning clinicals start at 7 or 8am, and students have trouble getting their kids into daycare or school that early).

Also with clinical, it's not just about being there. You need to prepare either the night before, or if you are going 2 days a week, looking up info on your patient(s) before the 2nd day.

There are MANY people in your shoes. Some are doing great, and some are not . There are students who have a lot less on their plate, and are not doing well either. It all boils down to you, and making this your priority. Some people cannot, and that is understandable. Hopefully you have support systems in your life to help you out, and that understand the commtiment this will take.