Need advice on which route to take

Luchador, CNA, EMT-B · Nov 6, 2018

Hi everyone,
I need your advice/suggestion on which route to take.
A little bit about me:
I'm 35 years old. I have a 3 year old with especial needs. She gets therapy 5 days a week and her therapies take up to 3-4 hours of my time everyday. I also have a 10 month old baby. I am kind of new to the country and have been to the US for 4 years so it takes twice as much time and effort as for native speakers for me to learn the material in English. I also have no help and no support, it is just me and my husband.
I am getting my AA from a local community college this semester. My GPA is 4.0 and more probably stay the same. Now, I have to decide which program to apply for.
Option I: A good nursing program in a local community college. 5 semesters ASN, then get my BSN online in 3-4 semesters. This route puts us in financial trouble (credit card debt and student loans) as I enter the workforce later. I live in Orlando area and job market is not very good here.
However, since it is just 9-10 credits per semester I have more time to spend with my kids and higher chance for better GPA and going for MSN in the future.
Option II: University BSN. 5 semesters. It's 15-17 credits per semester. This program is the best nursing program in the area. If I go to this route I will start working sooner, so less amount of debt and student loans. However, there will be much more stress on me and my family and my GPA will be dropped.
So, what is your advice?

Your English is excellent. I am older and currently in an ASN program. There are several women with similar situations as yours. The one thing they all have in common is that they have very supportive families or partners that are willing to do more for a couple of years while the student goes through RN school-- picking up or dropping off the kids at school every day, etc.

RN school is going to be stressful no matter how you do it. You need to think about how much help you will have with your small children and make your decision based on that. You say you have no support but you have a husband. Isn't he support?! The women I know in school with small children have very helpful and supportive husbands. It's the only way they can do it.

Good luck!

Farrah 34 · Nov 6, 2018

Thank you for your answer

Yes, my husband is very supportive.

what I meant was I have no families or friend to support.

Wuzzie · Nov 6, 2018

Thank you for your answer
Yes, my husband is very supportive.
what I meant was I have no families or friend to support.

You need to make very, very sure that your husband understands what it means to be supportive of your going to school. It is so much more than giving you an hour or two to study. Is he prepared to do much of the laundry, cooking, cleaning and child care? Is he prepared for you to be so exhausted or studying that you will have little time for him? You will be gone for long hours and sometimes in the evenings. You both need a solid plan to get through it. Who will do the therapy your child needs? Who will tend to the children when you are gone? Do you have a religious community that might help? There are so many factors to consider.

And your English is terrific.

Farrah 34 · Nov 6, 2018

Thank you

You made me think again about the next 2 years that I will spend at nursing school

I will definitely talk to him and make it clear

For my child, I'm trying to find a therapist who goes to her school and do the therapy sessions there.

Farrah 34 · Nov 6, 2018

You need to make very, very sure that your husband understands what it means to be supportive of your going to school. It is so much more than giving you an hour or two to study. Is he prepared to do much of the laundry, cooking, cleaning and child care? Is he prepared for you to be so exhausted or studying that you will have little time for him? You will be gone for long hours and sometimes in the evenings. You both need a solid plan to get through it. Who will do the therapy your child needs? Who will tend to the children when you are gone? Do you have a religious community that might help? There are so many factors to consider.
And your English is terrific.

Thank you

You made me think again about the next 2 years that I will spend at nursing school

I will definitely talk to him and make it clear

For my child, I'm trying to find a therapist who goes to her school and do the therapy sessions there.