what should I do?

TazziRN, RN · May 18, 2008

Yes, it's hard, it will be one of the hardest things you ever do. You will do better if you don't have a family to worry about. Hosital positions generally pay the same for each step. If you want to earn more money you need to go onto advance practice such as nurse practitioner.

No field of nursing is easy but there are more difficult fields than others, such as critical care.

If you're getting into this soley for the money, this would not be the field for you. Nursing is a profession that is overworked and underpaid.....we make good money but we don't get paid what we deserve. It's a dirty job and a heartbreaking one at times.

merrick · May 18, 2008

I'm going into my 3rd semester of the nursing program. Yes, it is hard. Yes, it will take a lot of time away from your family. Going to nursing school with kids has been the hardest thing I've ever done in my life. I am stressed to the max and my house is a wreck. I hope that it will all be worth it when I graduate. I'm optimistic that it will be.

Acosmo27 · May 18, 2008

I dont feel anyone should try to get into nursing unless they truly feel its what they are meant to do. Im just starting my second of 3 years of nursing school (a BSN program), and its been the toughest most challenging thing ive ever done in my 21 years of life. Holy moly. I know one day i will look back and wonder how i ever did it! However, although its been hard, its also been truly wonderful and rewarding. Nursing is my calling, therefore it makes it a little easier to put in the time and effort.

Autumnriley, BSN · May 18, 2008

I just finished nursing school. :yeah: I spent three years in a two year program. It was the hardest thing I have ever done and I did it with a husband and four children. There were times when I cried because I missed my family so much. I just spent the last two weeks cleaning my house that hasn't been cleaned in three years. It is very hard but can be very rewarding if doing it for the right reasons.

casi, ASN, RN · May 18, 2008

Nursing school is hard, but you don't know how you'll do or how you'll like it until you give it a try.

Right now I wouldn't worry about specialties or money. I'd just worry about getting into a school and getting the pre-reqs out of the way. You got to worry about getting into nursing school before you make plans about what you'll do once you become a nurse.

If you aren't sure whether or not you'll like nursing I would suggest becoming a CNA and working as one for a bit. It really gives you a good idea of what the nursing world is like.

RheatherN, ASN, RN, EMT-P · May 18, 2008

it was hard, but you know, i wanted it SOOOO dang bad, it didnt matter.i got thru it, and now am a better person and in a better position because of it! i have no friends, family that yelled at me for 2 yrs asking why the heck i never visited...NO TIME.. just make sure you have explained to friends and family you are MIA for that time, but they need to understand. if you want it, you can do it! thats all i can say, and i am sure many others would agree!

Natkat, BSN, MSN, RN · May 19, 2008

Nursing school was the hardest thing I've done, but at the end I felt so wonderful having done something so hard. The sense of accomplishment is amazing.

There are so many directions to go in nursing. I know nurses who have never worked a day at the bedside and love what they do. I am not the caretaker type. Nursing was never my dream; it was something I chose to do because I love medicine and like a steady paycheck. I am a dialysis nurse and love it - no lifting, no bed baths, no IV starts and I only give about 5 meds.

There is a job for whatever you want to do. But yeah, if you can hold off on having a family until you are through, you will save yourself so much pain, sorrow and guilt for not being there for your family. You will also save yourself the frustration of not being able to get the grades you know you could if you didn't have family issues to deal with.

Good luck.

KarynicaRN · May 19, 2008

yes, it was very difficult for me, but i had 3 children ages 12, 7 and 1 year old when i first started nursing school. we were told upfront exactly what to expect from school. we were told that nursing school came first, family second. just the thought made me almost want to cry. i couldn't fathom the idea of putting my kids second best.

fortunately for me i had a great support system. my mother and father did everything possible to help me with my youngest, helped me study and just really gave me a positive outlook on it all. it was all well worth it.

i did spend many a night up until 3 am studying. my study time was after the kids went to bed and i took advantage of the school library on my short days at school.

i wish you the best of luck. just realize that it will be difficult, but if you give it the time and pace yourself, you can make it through. :nuke: