Looking into nursing

[Bholmes]

Hey everybody,

I am married and have 3 kids and 1 on the way. I am 27 years old and don't really have a career going. The only schooling I have is a high school diploma. I have been looking into nursing as a career for the past 4-6 months and really am interested in going into this field. But I have a few concerns that i was hoping you guys can help me out.

As I stated above I have a family and currently I am the only on providing the income in our home.

As a sole provider would nursing be able to sustain a family of 6?

Also if I was to choose nursing there are different school options. As stated above I am 27 and soon to be a father of 4 so time isn't necessarily on my side. There is a privately owned school that gets you a asn in 18 months but is really expensive and full time meaning I would have to quit my day job and go there full time and try and work something out part time at nights. The other option is community college which is cheaper but is longer and will take about 3 years to complete for an asn.

What would you suggest would be the best route?

Lastly....

If I do choose the privately owned school and wanted to continue my education and possibly get my msn or crna are there other privately owned schools that offer those kind of programs? (I hope this makes sense)

Anyways I hope I am not troubling anyone and certainly hope I did t bore anyone with this but am anxious at tbe same time. Any feedback would be appreciated.

Thanks!

[Mavrick, BSN, RN]

My apologies, I figured since I was a guy looking into nursing it should be in the "men in nursing" thread. Your post makes sense...

Just thinking you might get more responses. Women nurses have some pretty good ideas too.

[PeeWeeQ, ADN, RN, EMT-B]

I just started (last week) my core courses at a local technical college. They compete with a local university for students and are doing well at it. They have a waiting list that is roughly a year long. I was due to start this fall, but, someone quit, and I was able to start this spring.

I am a father of four and I am making half of what I will when I am done with the program--I'm not worried about making enough. In my area, we have two hospitals, a third is being built, countless LTC and assisted living facilities, and numerous clinics. The job market here is ripe for new nurses--they simply dont have enough, even with the two schools graduating new ones every year.

So, I work full time, nights, 4 days per week. Then, I go to school, 3 classes per week (my prerequisites and generals are already completed), and I will have 4 classes once I start clinicals next month. I can tell you now, after one week, I know its gonna be a time-sucking challenge. But, I knew that long before I started and have mentally prepared myself and my family. 2 years for a great career, then I can take my time getting my BSN. I have been an EMT and was an Army Medic and Medic Instructor for many years, so, I do have a medical background, and I can already tell that that is definitely going to help me out a bit.

I hope you decide to do it. Just make sure you know what you are getting into. If you can, I'd recommend cutting back on hours and see if your wife can do some part-time work to try to make up the difference. IF you can. Even if you can't, I'm sure you can do it--where there is a will, there is a way.

Hope this helps! Take care and good luck!

Jamie

[Bholmes]

Thanks for the reply man! It is super encouraging. If you don't mind me asking.... what are you doing for work now? Is your wife helping supplement income?

[PeeWeeQ, ADN, RN, EMT-B]

I work as a maintenance mechanic/boiler operator at one of the hospitals. I would do clinical work, but, I make significantly more per hour doing what I do now. My wife does work part-time outside the home, then, does medical billing, from home--maybe, 10 hours per week--for her sister. 3 of our 4 kids are older and take care of themselves, and the oldest is in college and also works and drives. All of that helps. As for myself, I'll likely pick up a shift per week as an ER Tech or CNA. I MIGHT do one class toward my BSN while core nursing courses are in recess.

It's rough sometimes, and our house is often a mess, but, we just keep moving forward. One day, it'll all come together...