Making a career change, feeling overwhelmed!

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Hi everyone! I'm new here! I am 35 years old, married, with four children (ages 13, 8, 5, and 3). I currently work part time at the library, and up until recently I was planning to continue to pursue a job in the library field. I've decided that I need to go into nursing because it is something I have always wanted to do, plus the library field is going nowhere. I have an Associate's degree in Liberal Arts, but I will be doing my nursing pre-req's this summer and fall, and hope to apply to the nursing program in spring 2013. Unfortunately, my school has a 1 year waiting list, so I won't be able to actually start the nursing program until 2014 (although my school allows waitlisted nursing students to take 2 beginning nursing courses). My concern is this: I will need to quit my job in order to pursue my nursing degree because my work schedule doesn't allow me to work and go to school. I am feeling a little stressed and overwhelmed because I am scared that we won't be able to afford me not working for the next 3 or more years. Is anyone else in this situation? Thanks for listening :)!!

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Specializes in Mental Health, Hospice Care.

First off, Congrats on the bold move!....I am an LPN Student in my final term before I test for the NCLEX-PN in June....Nursing is my "second career" after spending the first twenty in business/management....Ay 41 years old I knew I had reached an end of the road with my own small business and eventually sold it in 2010....Back when I was a kid (College) I wanted to get into nursing, but I really had no maturity or drive to do so....(hey, I was 19 and more interested in girl and beer....well its the truth!)....as I grew my own business I still had a interest in medical and nursing, it was always something I knew I could do well at....Selling my company was not an easy decision, being I have a wife and two teenage boys to support....it was a "calling" so to speak, it was the right move to make and I did it.....no regrets, the best decision of my life....I cannot wait to hit the floor running in my first real nursing gig....I am not stopping with my LPN, I will be pursuing my LPN to BSN starting this Fall (while working full-time)....it is a challenge for sure, but if your heart and soul are in the right place you will succeed....being a little older has its benefits too, a wiser and more mature approach have helped me a great deal....Good Luck to you!!

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Specializes in Neonatal ICU.

Hi there! I am definitely in the same boat! I'm 28 and will be starting an accelerated BSN-MSN program in September. I have been working full-time for the last 6 years (got my first Bachelor's in 2006) and now I'll have to quit to start this program. I'm terrified but have put this entire situation into God's hands. I know I won't be able to do this on my own but am doing my best to trust that God knows what He's doing and that He'll take care of me while I go through this program. But since I'm human, I still have my doubts! Good luck to you as you prepare to start on this new journey in your life!

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Take a moment and think about how awesome the decision you're making it! The feeling you get from that- hold on to it, because you know that this will all be worth it! I'm in (sort of) the same boat as you. I'm 25 and just got married almost a year ago. My husband and I both work full time and are pretty broke. I already have a BA in Theatre that I got in 2009, but two years ago I decided that I wanted to pursue nursing. It hasn't been an easy road the last two years- I've been working full time nights while in school during the day. I'm starting actual nursing classes in the fall and I won't be able to work full time anymore and will probably lose our health insurance because of that. It's a scary thing to think of and there are so many questions: can I do it? Will we be ok? Will my spouse resent me not working? What if I can't do it?

But you know you can :)

Good luck and don't stop reaching for your goal!

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Thank you all so much for the advice! I am so excited but am terrified too, lol!

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I am not sure if you have checked this route out, but I would defnitely do research on scholarships offered for 'non traditional' students. I know that there are tons, especially if you are a mom with children. It takes time to apply for scholarships, but it is so worth it!

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