introducing myself - RN or master's degree??

nursebedlam · Dec 8, 2004

hullo, welcome to allnurses..

SusanJean · Dec 8, 2004

Hello to all - I'm glad to be here! I am in the educational dilemma of a lifetime and trying to figure out what in the world I'm doing! :-)
I'm 32 years old with a bachelor's degree in English education. From 1997 to 2003 I became certified with ICEA as a childbirth educator and doula, and with DONA as a doula. I loved my work as a CBE and a birth doula! I made the decision at that point to go to nursing school, with the end goal of becoming a midwife.
My dilemma is that I have three beautiful children ages 10, 8, and 6, and a great husband. I do not want to be so taken in by nursing school and all that it entails that I miss the next two years with my family. So I'm here to learn from you guys - the ones who are "in the trenches." For those of you who have finished an ADN program (the only option available within 2 hours of where I live), how was it for you? Was it worse than you thought? How many hours a week would you say you put into it? For those of you with children, was it a huge sacrifice? Did you miss events in their lives because you were too busy with school? Now that you are a nurse, do you like it? Are you glad you put in the time to become a nurse?
My other school option is to pursue a master's degree in health education and stay on the educational, non-clinical side of things. That interests me, too, although I really want to catch those babies :-).
Anyway, that's me in a nutshell! I look forward to learning from you. I an almost through the first semester of A and P and will have an A coming out of the course. Can't wait to be done!
Jennifer D.
finding my way in NC

If your goal is to become a midwife, then go for it! I have 2 kiddos in the same age range as your children... In my experience, it can work. And, seeing mom continue w/ higher education is good for the kids. I have not missed a school conference or play, tho have had to cut down volunteer time at the schools.

Are you able to stop work for during schooling?

SJ

PS...welcome!!

Q. · Dec 8, 2004

I made the decision at that point to go to nursing school, with the end goal of becoming a midwife.
My other school option is to pursue a master's degree in health education and stay on the educational, non-clinical side of things. That interests me, too, although I really want to catch those babies :-).

Hi!

Either option sounds great, it's just a matter of where you want to focus - on education or practice. My clinical area is OB and I used to work in Labor and Delivery, however now I work on the education side of things. I'd LOVE to direct or run an entire prenatal program or some type of women's outreach; that is MY end goal. :)

I know quite a few midwives who are happy in their practice but eventually become burned out and often times will stop delivering and instead will see patients in the office only. Or, they have the option of teaching in nursing school. Your midwife certification can probably take you in the teaching direction too if you so wanted.

I don't have children and went directly to nursing school right out of high school so I can't answer your question, but I am in grad school now with a sick dad and a full time job; and it IS stressful, but managable. You can accomplish anything your heart desires.

clagorin · Dec 9, 2004

Jennifer,

I can empathize with your situation. Although I am not married nor have any children, I am finding myself in a very similar situation. I have already obtained a teaching credential and a master's degree in organizational management; however, I am missing the science degree that would provide me with many options. Albeit, I have obtained a Medical Secretarial Degree, it is not a RN license.

I am assuming that the nursing will take up much time; but I have talked to a few moms that were juggling teenagers and still were completing the second year of the ADN nicely. It is a constant juggling act I am told. I would assume that since you have children that you may place more pressures on yourself and more guilt on yourself than your husband ever would. :)

I once set up the University of Phoenix in Fresno and Bakersfield CA with the nursing programs: BSN, MSN, RN-BSN, RN-MSN bridge. I may have to go that route down the road since I do not have a BSN or MSN. I am told that that shouldn't be much of an issue. I completed the MAOM degree at UOP and another student in my student group was a nursing supervisor who also wanted a business degree to round out his experience.

I am getting off track; but I just hope you will be able to provide yourself with the time necessary to achieve your goals. :) All my best to you and hope you will enjoy the remainder of your A&P courses! :)

CL

akcarmean, LPN · Dec 9, 2004

I say go with what you truly want to do. When I went through CNA then LPN I did have to miss a couple of my kids functions b/c of a major test the next day but not many. I feel it did my kids good to see how hard it is to go back to school after you are married and have kids. I keep trying to incourage them to go to school right out of HS. BTW I now have 3 kids 12, 10, & 18mth and I am going back for my RN, BSN or maybe even masters. Iwould love to get into the teaching area (back problems) or the NICU area. Good luck with your decision welcome and look forward to more post from you

allnurses Guide · Dec 15, 2004

Have you thought of online courses for the next few years? I'm doing a masters (in education, but there are lots of CNM candidates in my class) totally on line for the first several years, and my hands on stuff will be scheduled near where I live. Look at UNMs program, you get to do your courses on your own schedule. http://www.unm.edu, web based courses in the CON :)

Tweety, BSN, RN · Dec 16, 2004

Good luck. Nursing school is tough and demanding and it's a family effort.

Dixielee, BSN, RN · Dec 18, 2004

I heard great advice from a man one time who said....no amount of success in the world can compensate for failure in the home. Keep that in mind when you think about sacrificing so much for school, and trust me....it is a sacrifice.

I returned for my BSN when my kids were 8 and 12. It took several years to finish because I only took one class at a time. It was working well and I started the masters program about the time my oldest left for college. It was much harder on my young one than I thought it would be, having her gone and me spending more time away from home or just plain studying. He began having trouble at school, and other things were manifesting themselves. I dropped out of the program knowing my son was far more important than any degree or any amount of education I may acheive....I could always go back later. It is our responsibility as parents to give to our children every opportunity we can, and they need our time, our attention and our love. They are only here a few short years, don't miss them. You will not regret it.

Dixielee, BSN, RN · Dec 18, 2004

I heard great advice from a man one time who said....no amount of success in the world can compensate for failure in the home. Keep that in mind when you think about sacrificing so much for school, and trust me....it is a sacrifice.

I returned for my BSN when my kids were 8 and 12. It took several years to finish because I only took one class at a time. It was working well and I started the masters program about the time my oldest left for college. It was much harder on my young one than I thought it would be, having her gone and me spending more time away from home or just plain studying. He began having trouble at school, and other things were manifesting themselves. I dropped out of the program knowing my son was far more important than any degree or any amount of education I may acheive....I could always go back later. It is our responsibility as parents to give to our children every opportunity we can, and they need our time, our attention and our love. They are only here a few short years, don't miss them. You will not regret it.

VickyRN, MSN, DNP, RN · Dec 18, 2004

I am an ADN instructor in North Carolina. It probably would be best if you PM me; I can give you specific information and advice.

VickyRN, MSN, DNP, RN · Dec 18, 2004

I am an ADN instructor in North Carolina. It probably would be best if you PM me; I can give you specific information and advice.