Need career advice re: 2 scenarios

[BernR6]

Hello everyone,

I'm seeking some career advice from those that may have been in the same or similar situation - currently stressed about this whole thing.

A little background - I'm 36, married with a three month old daughter. Have a mortgage, bills, etc. Have a BA in Sociology and worked in the mental health field 14 years. Seeking a career change to nursing. Currently work at a hospital psych unit as a mental health worker part time, and part time at a long term structured residence for patients out of state hospital.

Completed all my science pre-reqs. Applying to schools. Here's my dilemma.

- I finally got a full time position at the hospital after 4 yrs...starts next week. It's second shift. More money, better benefits, vacation, etc.

- Got accepted to an evening/weekend BSN at a local university for the second year in a row...starts in a month. Originally put off 1st acceptance last year, as my wife was delivering at the time clinicals would be starting. I wanted to be fully present for the whole experience, not to mention needing to work a ton of extra shifts while my wife wasn't bringing in a paycheck. I had to reapply this year and was accepted. Classes are 2 nights a week and clinicals on most weekend days.

- Wife and I are not doing childcare at the time, because of cost. I watch the baby during the day, she watches at night while I work 2nd shift. However, we both make less than desired being that we both work in the MH field.

So, do I pursue this BSN program, or apply for ADN programs for next year?

Concerns -

My daughter's care. Her needs come first. But being that I'll be the only one watching her every day, can I effectively succeed in school with the significant amount of school work I'll need to complete?

Cost - I'm still paying on my loans from my first undergrad, plus a year I did at an MSW program. I get tuition reimbursement through the hospital. An ADN would be paid for, this BSN I'd be left with 17k extra in loans. If I got the associates, I would likely do an online RN-BSN later on. The BSN would allow me to achieve my dream of working in a big city hospital (live 15-20 miles from Philly).

Scheduling - ADN programs seem to be 3-4 days a week. The BSN is 2 days a week with weekend clinicals. My work schedule only gives me 4 days off every two weeks...all four days would need to be used for school. With the ADN programs, there's no way of knowing what the schedule will look like. Others have told me that there's the possibility of having to do extra lab days (in either program) since the schools have a simulated lab. Also there's prep time on a Friday night, which I work every Friday. I'd have to switch my shifts.

So all that said, I want to fully devote myself to this. Don't want to start something and then have to drop out. One possibility I guess would be for my wife to work part time (if we could swing it financially). She'd be off during the day (currently is the weekend director of a mental health facility), so I'd find a daytime ADN program.

I apologize for this book. I'm passionate about the nursing field. As life works though, there's no perfect scenario to achieve my goals. Any advice pointing me in the best direction would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

Bernie

[HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD]

So - what does your wife think you should do? She is your most important advisor since she is going to be responsible for supporting you afterward. Many of us attended school while still maintaining multiple other roles (single parent, breadwinner, caring for dependent parents, etc.). You can too. Going back to school will undoubtedly require some compromises to make it work for you and your family.

As someone who with many decades of marriage experience to look back on, I would strongly caution you to avoid a compromise that would have a negative effect on your wife's career; e.g., asking her to move out of supervisory role to take a part time job that would better accommodate your school schedule. Don't ask her to sacrifice her career for yours - it will have consequences, including lasting resentment. Work for some win-win solutions, even if it means finding childcare for a few hours a week.

[caliotter3]

Since this is going to be a sacrifice either eay, I would tend to lean toward pursuing the BSN as it probably will have a lesser impact on your work week and to get it out of the way sooner rather than later.

[BernR6]

Thank you for the feedback. Any help is appreciated. I'm sorry I should've expanded on the situation.

My wife is actually supportive of my career goals moving forward. Four years ago she enrolled in an MS in School Counseling. We kind of took turns with career/school, because I put things on hold career-wise and remained supportive while she worked on her masters. She got her degree 2 years ago and has been seeking employment with a school district since then. Because she's been unsuccessful so far, the supervisory position at the MH facility she's at, (while good for her resume) isn't somewhere she wants to stay. The unfortunate part of the MH field is that it takes much more education to equal the salary of other careers.

I agree that it's important not to create a situation that will cause resentment. Unfortunately, there's some resentment towards me already regarding past debt I accumulated. Thankfully, I'm not in that situation anymore. So technically this career change could provide the better income and opportunities we're both so concerned about. The good part is that I'm passionate about the work, which can't be said for everyone in every field out there.

My wife also wished she could be home more often with our daughter. That may actually be the win-win situation you were referring to.

I just have a lot of anxiety over the path to take. I'm nervous about jumping in to a program and how it'll mesh with my work schedule - i.e. - extra clinical days that fall on evenings I work. I guess the problem is that there are so many variables and I can't not work. On one end, I have a definite acceptance to a reputable BSN program. On the other, if I pursue the ADN, there's no definite acceptance. ADN is day time hours though (would only work if my wife is home - we can't afford childcare at the time). ADN is cheaper (my assistance from work would pay for it), but may not provide as many opportunities as the BSN (in the beginning). So that's where I'm at. I have to give notice to the BSN program, as that starts August 18. The ADN would require me to take the TEAS V first and then apply. That program wouldn't start until Fall '15.

Thanks for the advice. Just want to make the best, most informed decision.

Bernie

[JuliaRNMSN]

I was in a similar conflict and the BSN was the expected way to get into work as an RN. Looking back, I am happy I chose the ADN because it got me into the work world of nursing. The BSN can be completed as a bridge these days, and if you are working after the ADN depending on the organization you may get tuition reimbursement. Getting your feet wet is not found in the classroom in my humble opinion.

[BernR6]

I agree. A lot have mentioned that, when talking about the differences of the BSN vs ADN. The BSN seems to include more of the theory, research, etc. piece with that program. I understand that the BSN will probably be the requirement in the near future. Because of working at a community hospital though, I could still get work as an ADN. My wife and I have a 4 month old. Since her birth, our priorities have obviously changed. What's important to us is doing what's best for her. Cost, limit adding debt, opportunity to make more money sooner, get into the field sooner (while she's still so young), etc. I guess I'm leaning towards the ADN. It's just so tough to turn down an acceptance to a BSN that I worked hard for....but priorities change. Many have said it's about taking a different path to achieve the same goal.