Near 40 w/ 1 yr. old wanting another soon. Crazy to start classes?

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I am going to be 40 in August. I'm in my 2nd Marriage. I have older children (15 & 18). I have a 1 year old daughter. We might have another baby within the next 2 years. I think nursing is a good career for moms (schedule/pay) and I feel that it is a good fit for my personality. I have a great sense of empathy and desire to spend my life making a difference with my life.

My fears? I dont want to be an absentee mom with my baby/babies while going to school. From everything I have read nursing school is grueling. I am willing to work but I dont want to miss out on the oh so important moments that go so quickly with young children. Part of me (and my hubby) feels that this is the perfect time. I can take my time getting my prerequisites completed and by the time the kiddo(s) is/are school aged it will be perfect timing for the nursing program and the clinicals

I got my CNA license years ago and I did very well but I know that this is a whole different species.

Advice?

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Working on prereqs while being a mom is perfect timing, I think. You don't have to be absentee while doing prereqs. I always studied at night and now during the day while my son is in school and on weekend days, if needed, while my husband spends time with my son. Nursing school is a different story. I decided to go to an online university that has a 2 year program, if I get in. So I feel that my time can be more available to my son when he is home from school instead of a brick and mortar school or accelerated program. Also, I am taking my prereqs online. They are a lot of work, but if my son is home sick or for whatever reason, I don't have to worry about missing class!

It was very important to me avoid being an absentee parent, and so I found the programs that would work best for that scenario!!! Of course, if I get into nursing school there will be times where I certainly will not be as available. However I feel the online option is awesome for moms if it is available to to them.

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My youngest is 2 yo now. I started my prerequisite when he was around 6 months. I plan to be finished with my classes when he is 4. I hope to start nursing school when he starts kinder. I take all classes that aren't math or science online. I have taken tons of math bc it has been so long since I did math that I needed to start from the beginning. I am in college algebra now and doing well. It takes decipline but I study at his nap time and at night. You can do this.

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Thank you for the input!

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Thank you for your input!

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Thank you!

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I wouldn't start nursing school with a 1-year-old and hoping to have another in the next year.

But you should be able to pick away at the prereqs. I've done mine at a community college and appreciate the night and online classes, since I also work full-time.

Make sure you have the full support of your husband and other family members... it is a sacrifice of time and money (and frankly my house hasn't been really clean since I started school!) but it is worth it.

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I wouldn't start nursing school with a 1-year-old and hoping to have another in the next year.

But you should be able to pick away at the prereqs. I've done mine at a community college and appreciate the night and online classes, since I also work full-time.

Make sure you have the full support of your husband and other family members... it is a sacrifice of time and money (and frankly my house hasn't been really clean since I started school!) but it is worth it.

Thank you!

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Specializes in OB.

If you really want to have another baby go for it now while doing pre-reqs! I'll be 42 in 2 weeks and I was really hoping to have another one before I start NS in the fall. At this rate I don't think it'll happen. I have 3 wonderful healthy boys (17,12, 6) but honestly I always wanted the girl, not going to lie. But it is what is is. Now I wish I would've done it earlier!

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Specializes in Hospitalist Medicine.

Best of luck to you! I'm 43 and I couldn't imagine trying to have another child while going to school. Just the thought of the lack of sleep when you have a newborn is enough to make me say only do it while taking pre-reqs. I don't think it would be feasible to do it while you're actually in nursing school.

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I am a mom to 5 kids. 9, 7, 6, 3, and 15 months. I graduated high school in 2004, started pre reqs in 2007 finished my pre reqs Aug 2012. I went really slow for the pre reqs, which worked great for me. I just got accepted into the RN program fall 2013. You can do it if you are really determined enough :) Good luck.

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I am 36 with a 1 year old. I am starting school in may. I am not in a hurry I have a job. I will take it as it comes. I can not put off having more children until I am done I just don't have that much time!! In your 40s you do not have more time for children. School will always be there.

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