Mother of 2 confused about Nursing school

RunBabyRN · Feb 13, 2014

What kind of advice are you looking for, exactly?

What do you WANT to do? How can you make it happen given your current situation? What support do you need?

If you want to pursue nursing, why get your degree in sociology? You won't qualify for financial aid anymore, which is very limiting. You'll spend time and money unnecessarily on courses that won't get you where you want to be.

What's your child care situation?

Accelerated programs are generally more expensive than going the traditional BSN route.

How are your grades? Schools are extremely competitive. You'd be wise to cast a wide net, should you choose to pursue nursing. Apply to every school within driving distance. Keep your GPA as high as possible in the meantime.

LadyFree28, BSN, LPN, RN · Feb 13, 2014

What kind of advice are you looking for, exactly?
What do you WANT to do? How can you make it happen given your current situation? What support do you need?
If you want to pursue nursing, why get your degree in sociology? You won't qualify for financial aid anymore, which is very limiting. You'll spend time and money unnecessarily on courses that won't get you where you want to be.
What's your child care situation?
Accelerated programs are generally more expensive than going the traditional BSN route.
How are your grades? Schools are extremely competitive. You'd be wise to cast a wide net, should you choose to pursue nursing. Apply to every school within driving distance. Keep your GPA as high as possible in the meantime.

This.

I suggest you NOT continue into a major where you don't see yourself making a living or even using the degree.

Go for your nursing degree, cast you net wide, before you do that, figure our WHAT you want to do, and make a plan.

Sending positive vibes in your decision.

NurseGirl525, ASN, RN · Feb 13, 2014

I don't think you can do an accelerated program unless you already have a 4 year degree. A 2 year degree won't get you into these programs. You need to decide what you want and how much you want it. Only you can figure out a way around your obstacles. We can't do that for you. Sociology and nursing are vastly different. I don't know why you would waste the money on it if that is not what you want.

jalexislopez13 · Feb 13, 2014

The reason i am a sociology major is because i am going to a 4 yr school which is public which has a waiting until the yr 2017. Y not get a degree to be able to go to a A2D that has no waiting list. I pay tuition out of pocket anyway. The advise i was looking into is from other single/non married mothers who have been through or are going through the same situation and how they have made it through. What were/are their weakest and highest points dealing with nursing school and motherhood and work.

AngPartridge3 · Feb 13, 2014

well, I cant offer much advice. I will suggest to not let others discourage you from becoming a nurse. If thats what you TRULY desire, then go for it. I am married ( but separated) So its just me and my kids in my focal point, I just got my letter of acceptance into a LVN program yesterday!!! I have a 2 and 3 year old, my 2 year old has physical and soon, speech therapy. My son is also in speech therapy two days a week. I am busy nearly everyday with homework, my kids and their appts and although I am TERRIFIED that I will be soooo busy and broke, I wont know what to do with myself. It has taken me years to get this point of where I have an opportunity to at least get my foot in the door as a nurse. I really want my BSN but babysteps is all I can afford. I can see putting your major at a safe point while you pursue nursing also, so that to me looks fine. The school loans thing scared me but I shut my eyes, signed the dotted line and I honestly dont regret it. My advice would be to find a LVN program to start. Yes make good grades. Yes try to keep to GPA high for future advancements in education, such as an RN program, BNS, etc. But the first thing I did was quit listening to everyone else and took a chance on what I wanted. And from that point on, you might have to take it day by day, anxiety attack after the other like I do, But it will be worth it :) I am excited to start in June and no one can tell me ANYTHING to kick me down!!! Good luck hun in all your decisions, hopes and dreams.

NurseGirl525, ASN, RN · Feb 13, 2014

I am a single mom. Like I stated earlier it's how much you want it. I go to school full time and have an 8 year old who is in competitive judo. We travel all of the time and practice 4 nights a week. You have to schedule your time and study when you can. Cleaning is not my main priority anymore. It gets done when it gets done. Prioritize your time accordingly.

AngPartridge3 · Feb 13, 2014

oh and I will add that my biggest FEAR was the child care!!! Not just affording it but leaving my kids with someone for a fulls day of school is ....stressing me out. I am trying to get assistance for daycare since I am a student. I really hate asking for help but again that is something I had to force myself to not feel so proud. If there is assistance, take advantage of it. I am choosing a daycare that is close to my school and/or clinical site, work is part time, I found home health, although not making much, was the easiest to work into my schedule :) Good luck

jalexislopez13 · Feb 13, 2014

Thank You AngPartridge3so much for your sharing your story.

Congratulations on your LVN acceptance I wish you many blessings on your journey.

One of my main worries is childcare too. My son also receives speech and physical therapy so i completely understand your situation.

RunBabyRN · Feb 14, 2014

Have you looked into the cost of the aBSN program yet? Are you guaranteed entrance?

Are there other traditional BSN programs within driving distance?

Have you figured out child care? That's a big factor (as you already mentioned).

I am a mother, and my husband has his own business, so we're constantly jockeying for time. Thankfully his parents are sometimes able to take our 5 year old, but they have their own life, too. These days, I am either at school, in clinicals, on a run, or at home. I study as much as I can at home, but it's hard for me to focus that way. I do a lot of it after my son goes to bed, but then that limits my time with my husband. I am in the final push right now- two more months of preceptorship, and 3 months until graduation, so my schedule will drastically change at those two points. I keep reminding my husband of that, and we're both really trying to slug through it. It's been a hard couple of years, but I will be SO happy when I have that BSN in hand.

Have you looked into what social workers make? It's not a lot, honestly, less than nurses in most areas. I'm just trying to see your logic. I understand what you're saying, but I don't see why you'd waste so much money on schooling that you don't need, then pay more for an accelerated program if you don't have to. I don't understand why you're only looking at this one program, unless you're hours away from another (which you haven't yet said).

The hardest part for me is the lack of time for my family, and how distracted I often am when I have it. I try to get time in where I can, take my son to the beach, do things he loves when I possibly can, but I am CONSTANTLY in the middle of a zillion projects. The high point for me is every day that I am still in the program. With each day, I am closer and closer to graduation and doing something for which I have a true passion. Now in my preceptorship, I am working in the unit where I expect I'll likely be employed, and I really enjoy it. Every day of clinicals for me, while there have been stressors, has been incredibly rewarding, and has reinforced for me that I am following the right path.

Oh, and what Heathermaizey said about cleaning- YEAH. Definitely falls by the wayside! Two months... Two months... LOL :)

AngPartridge3 · Feb 14, 2014

Thank you jalexislopez13!

I wasnt trying to shift the discussion. I just wouldnt want a fellow mommy to feel so discouraged. Everyone told me I wouldnt have time, wouldnt have enough money, would live paycheck to paycheck, wouldnt make it through nursing school if I did get in, even my so called best friend, who is no longer, was mad I swapped my major because like you, at first, I had mine set on something completely different, but took classes to be able to apply for nursing, once I made my mind up..I changed my major to make it official. Even though there will be little family time, it wont be forever. You can vent or talk to me anytime you like. I felt completely defeated this whole past year and now everyone can stick their foot in their mouth haha. And MANY MANY MANY blessings to you and your babies as well. You got this. You just gotta make that scary decision where to start

jalexislopez13 · Feb 14, 2014

hi RunBabyRun,

its not one school I'm focused on. Theres about 5 schools that offer a A2D within distance of me. Since i don't drive it cuts down my options, and i have to be close to my children since one has special needs. No one is guaranteed entrance to any of these programs but upon speaking with many admission counselors....having the amount of credits i already have and having done all my nursing pre-reqs it would be the better/smarter choice to go into an accelerated program which is 15 months to gain your BSN. Tuition price is not an issue at this point nor is salary with any profession i would pick.