Let's talk about different approaches to school

Trauma Columnist · Feb 25, 2006

I went to nursing school in the early 90's: two kids at home, hubby in military. I was 31 when I started, 33 when I got my LPN, 35 when I got my RN.

I would just bite the bullet and go full-time to get it over with. Just my take on it.

carachel2 · Feb 25, 2006

I went to nursing school in the early 90's: two kids at home, hubby in military. I was 31 when I started, 33 when I got my LPN, 35 when I got my RN.
I would just bite the bullet and go full-time to get it over with. Just my take on it.

Two main things keep me from doing this:

1.)I don't *have* to do this. This is an investment in our future and a career goal for me. We have a very stable income as it is through Dh's career. If we were depending on this for income, then it would make the decision all that harder. I have never worked more than 20 hours per week since dd was born.

2.)My little 6 year old....I can't imagine just "biting the bullet" and getting it done only to find two or three years is basically gone. Two or three years where I didn't really participate in anything major in her life. Then she will be fastly approaching a point where she wants to do her own thing and doesn't really want me.

Jess RN · Feb 25, 2006

Two main things keep me from doing this:
1.)I don't *have* to do this. This is an investment in our future and a career goal for me. We have a very stable income as it is through Dh's career. If we were depending on this for income, then it would make the decision all that harder. I have never worked more than 20 hours per week since dd was born.
2.)My little 6 year old....I can't imagine just "biting the bullet" and getting it done only to find two or three years is basically gone. Two or three years where I didn't really participate in anything major in her life. Then she will be fastly approaching a point where she wants to do her own thing and doesn't really want me.

It sounds like you already know what you would be most comfortable with. :chuckle

I started nursing school this past fall after taking one pre req at a time for the past two years. I have a 3 yr old and a 1 yr old and I lasted exactly one week in my full time program before dropping down to part time. :rolleyes: I am soooo glad I did. I would have been a mediocre student and a mediocre mom if I was going full time. Many could do it and pull it off with grace, I'm sure, but not me. I think I know my limits a little better now- and I (now) know how much work nursing school is! Even my part time schedule is tough at times! It will take me 4 years at this rate- but that's fine. I'm going into nursing because I love it and because I want to work part time- so for me to kill myself with school full time for 2 years didn't make a lot of sense.

Good luck with your decision!

-Jess

birthmamaew · Mar 5, 2006

This is a constant internal battle for me as well. I have two girls, 6 and 8 and they are and always will be my first priority. I took my nursing prereqs one class at a time when they were 3 and 5. This year they are both in school and I am in an accelerated BSN program. I am glad that I waited. While it is still stressful, and money is tight, I feel like I would have been frustrated( and even more broke) if I did this piecemeal. Next year I am getting my CNM/WHNP and I plan also to go full time- again since they are in school all day. I cherish the days I stayed home. They seem to have a good foundation and not be adversely affected at this point. I can only hope it will continue. The biggest casualty in this scenario is my WEIGHT. Stress gets high for me personally and it can be a challenge to study at home, but I think it's really about our own personal family dynamic. We always seem to work it out. You have to do what feels right to you and for your family. Best of luck!

johnson0424 · Mar 5, 2006

My husband and I are trying to plan out the next year or so of my school and are seeing there are pros and cons of each approach: go full-time and get it over with, but be a bit $$ pinched. I know some people take out loans as well OR take one class at a time (drawback is it takes awhile) but maintain standard of living, no major stress on family life and time,etc.
So what is your approach ? What is your rationale ? How is it working for you ? Also give your age and whether or not you have kids at home.

I had this same situation. I am now into my 2nd semester in FNP school and I was decided whether i wanted to go ft or part time. for me, it would cut down a whole year if i went FT which was worth the penny pinching..BUT unfortunately, the more i checked into it,,my clinical classes you can't go any faster than what i am going right now,,so i am slated to graduate in may 2008. longer than i had hoped but can still work and maintain my standard of living and may only have to penny pinch for one semester near the end rather than a whole year. I dont know how u plan on doing it but i am doing mine completely online and i find it alot more convenient but you have to be disciplined but i like it alot better than going to classes(although at 1st i wasn't so sure). good luck in whatever decision you make :)

carachel2 · Mar 6, 2006

This is a constant internal battle for me as well. I have two girls, 6 and 8 and they are and always will be my first priority. I took my nursing prereqs one class at a time when they were 3 and 5. This year they are both in school and I am in an accelerated BSN program. I am glad that I waited. While it is still stressful, and money is tight, I feel like I would have been frustrated( and even more broke) if I did this piecemeal. Next year I am getting my CNM/WHNP and I plan also to go full time- again since they are in school all day. I cherish the days I stayed home. They seem to have a good foundation and not be adversely affected at this point. I can only hope it will continue. The biggest casualty in this scenario is my WEIGHT. Stress gets high for me personally and it can be a challenge to study at home, but I think it's really about our own personal family dynamic. We always seem to work it out. You have to do what feels right to you and for your family. Best of luck!

You hit on one of the big reasons why I dropped a class...I was gaining weight and was not having time to take care of myself. I've had some health issues in the past, and being strong and fit since that time has been essential to me being happy and feeling good about myself.

Good luck with your program ! I guess the beauty of nursing school is just the same as the profession of nursing...if something isn't working for you, you can ALWAYS change to a different plan.

carachel2 · Mar 6, 2006

I had this same situation. I am now into my 2nd semester in FNP school and I was decided whether i wanted to go ft or part time. for me, it would cut down a whole year if i went FT which was worth the penny pinching..BUT unfortunately, the more i checked into it,,my clinical classes you can't go any faster than what i am going right now,,so i am slated to graduate in may 2008. longer than i had hoped but can still work and maintain my standard of living and may only have to penny pinch for one semester near the end rather than a whole year. I dont know how u plan on doing it but i am doing mine completely online and i find it alot more convenient but you have to be disciplined but i like it alot better than going to classes(although at 1st i wasn't so sure). good luck in whatever decision you make :)

Yep...maintaining my standard of living is very important here. I have BTDT on taking out mega student loans and pinching pennies and I don't care to go back to that again ! I have had a taste now of how much better balanced our family is when I am taking one class and just working PRN....I love it and feel like I am really absorbing the material much better.

BeenThereDoneThat74, MSN, RN · Mar 6, 2006

You didn't mention what you were going to school for. I think that is a major consideration. I started out in the NP program (to have that versatility later in my career). I knew I reeally wanted to teach, but the State school did not have education. I was in for 2 semesters part time, then realized I would have to do 180 clinical hours, x2 semesters, and 120hrs x2. There was no way I could do it with my daughter (who was 3 at the time) and my unccoperative husband (who is now my ex :chuckle), and working almost full-time hours. So I switched to education (switched schools too, to a private college- back to where I got my BSN), because I knew the NP would be too intense at this point in my life...and I wanted to get my MSN done within 3 years. God willing (and despite the separation), I will be out in 3 1/2...not bad.

Long story short--part time is intense too. I have a friend who barely works, has 3 kids (10-17yrs old), and averages one class at a time (is taking 2 this sem, then she's done). But I think her neurotic personality gets in the way. And this goes without saying, but itreally depends on your support systems. Even if you don't have to work, you will be plenty busy. Is your husband willing to pick up the slack around the house and w/ your child? In my program, I had a group project in 80% of my classes. And spent many hours in front of the computers w/ research and papers. The actual time spent in class was minimal (2 hours per class a week).

Just my :twocents: