Just wondering if any of you had trouble telling your wife or significant other (for those in relationships of course) that you wanted to become a nurse? I'm sure for some of you, it may have been a natural progression, ie LPNs or other health care backgrounds, but for those of you coming from completely different backgrounds, how'd you do it?
My wife already knows I've been thinking about doing it and looking into CNA courses and figuring out the schematics of getting into nursing school, prereqs and how long it would take, but I think she's scared I might actually do it.
I had been thinking about it for years, mostly because of the opportunity and security. At the time I was a commisioned sales rep.
We kept discussing it and she was very supportinve. In fact she was more optimistic about the possibility than I was. She looked at area programs, created some pre-req pathways for each, checked local community colleges and did all the leg work.
She proved to me that it was doable. A couple of days later I was down at the CC registering for basic chem as a refresher for organic and an online nutrition class. 18 months later I started nursing school (about 7 months behind our forecast).
I passed my boards recently and am interviewing for a job I'd really like to get very soon.
I am just sort of curious. How did you support your family during this endeavor? Does your wife have a good job? Do you have children? I am a female and I always wondered if it was more difficult for a male to take this on.
I am just sort of curious. How did you support your family during this endeavor? Does your wife have a good job? Do you have children? I am a female and I always wondered if it was more difficult for a male to take this on.
I went to nursing school and worked a full time job. I had to support my wife and kids through it all as I am the sole providor for the family, my wife worked part time but there weas not much time for me to be home to watch the kids. She would work every other week end, 16 hrs saturday and 16 hours sunday(32 hrs a pay period). It was not dificult because I didnt look at it as something that was difficult, its what had to be done.
I am just sort of curious. How did you support your family during this endeavor? Does your wife have a good job? Do you have children? I am a female and I always wondered if it was more difficult for a male to take this on.
I don't know if it was more or less difficult than anyone else who goes to nursing school with a family at home. But it was not easy. Going into school we sort of knew where we had to be, and we did what we needed to do.
We have a 3 y/o daughter and while I was in school she was in daycare.
I did an ABSN in 12 months and there was really no way to work and go to school for me or my classmates.
My wife does business customer service for a Fortune 50 company and makes about 2/3 what a starting RN makes in this area. I also worked for the same company and when an opening appeared in her department I was able to ask a manager there to look at her resume (that was the extent of my "influence"). She got the job on the strength of her skills, education and experience. The biggest thing we gained was consistant benefits. I had been carrying them, but when I left the company to go back to school our benefits didn't change. Ultimately her pay covers most of our expenses and we have enough liquidity to carry us for the rest, although we can see that bottom of that pool now.
I was fortunate to get a fairly decent sized scholarship that took care of most of the cost of one semester and the federal No Worker Left Behind program helped with a second. Even so, since I went to a private University we took out some student loans, which covered only tuition.
Several months before school started we laid out a budget and projected it all the way through the end of school. We looked at every bill and expense we had and found places to cut. We made a lot of cuts to our "lifestyle" if you'll forgive the expression. Going out to eat went away. We made large changes and cuts to our phone, cable and internet services. The thermostat was adjusted to save energy. Groceries were the store or "value" brand and the food was kept pretty basic. We carry very little debt to begin with, and that was a huge help.
I am very lucky that she and I both agree on the way we handle money. I know it's one of the biggest sources of strain on a lot of marriages, and while we each "strain" the other from time to time we're fortunate to avoid that particular pitfall.
My wife really took on a lot of the burden of running the household and the family. My program was two to three full days in the classroom and two to three full days in clinicals (depending on the semester). Weekends were all about studying and writing papers. So I didn't help much with keeping the house clean or taking care of our daughter. I did as much as I could, but honestly it was less than what I would call "my fair share". I will never be able to repay her I'm afraid.
Having an understanding spouse who stays focused on the goal and then beyond I think makes all the difference. I knew both men and women who left the program because their families couldn't handle the strain. My wife and I both talked alot about what the year of school would be like and agreed to make the sacrifices we had to in order to get where we want to be.
The plan now is to get me into a good unit and start trying for a sibling for our daughter. Once that happens she wants to stay home for a while and I'll work. I fully support that. After a while I am planning on doing my DNP so that I can make sure my kids college is paid for and my wife gets a lifestyle that she really deserves.
I really did not have to convince my wife. While going to a Christmas party three years ago she was struck by a car crossing the street. For several months after the accident, she was in the ICU, stepdown, nursing home, home health comming to the house, etc. Durring that time I started thinking about becomming a nurse. When I brought it up with her she was thrilled that I was leaving law enforcement to start nursing school. (which I finally started in '09 )
My significant other supports me 110%, notes that I have never been happier pursuing a career. In my opinion, it should not be a matter of convincing a wife or significant other. They should support you no matter what and vice versa.
Good luck to you in your ventures as a Nurse!! It's great to see men so interested in this career choice. I have worked with so many wonderful male nurses. Best of luck to you. You will do just fine!!!
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jcmoore07
40 Posts
that gives me confidence because I am almost 32 and was wondering if I'm getting too old to make such a drastic career change....guess not