Need some help

[Mommy2010]

Ok, so I have pondered several times on going back to school for nursing. I have three children, ages 4, 2 and 11 months. I am a stay at home mom and know I can do it for the most part, but here is why I am worried about my decision.

It seems as though every time something happens, I have to drop the semester. For example, I was going to start spring 2012, but ended up losing my job and couldn't pay for school. Then I tried this summer 2012, my daughter had gotten very sick from a UTI. I am signed up to start this fall 2012, but now I am again wondering if now is the time. My daughter has been in the hospital for 3 days now with a severe kidney infection. There may be a possibility of having vesicoureteral reflux and may need surgery, but nothing is certain yet until she has her VCUG done.

I always seem to second guess myself when something happens. My husband has a very demanding job and he has had to take off several days due to sicknesses and now with our daughter being sick so he can stay at home with the other two children to take care of them. We cannot afford him to lose his job either. So then I sit here thinking, is nursing really what I want? And I know yes. But I have heard in nursing there is no way to take vacation/sick days along w/ in school you cannot. I was told nursing school they don't care if you have kids sick or anything. They expect you there. I'm not saying I don't want to be there, I do, but when my kids are sick and my husband is at work, what am I to do? No babysitters will watch kids when they are sick. I am giving my kids extra vitamins and things to help build up their immunity and I am hoping it helps, but there are never any guarantees. So then I start thinking, what else can I do healthcare wise that I will enjoy that isn't nursing. My ultimate goal was to be an NP, but I just don't know. Should I try just 1 class at a time, forget nursing or wait to go back until my youngest is in school? I was planning to do most my classes online that I can (English, CPT 104, Psy, Soc, Nutrition, Growth & Development, etc.) but A&P and a lot of the others I cannot.

Can you please help!

[Nursing2102]

Taking it a little at a time sounds like a good plan. Look into the different programs in your area. See what best fits you. There may be night classes or like you mentioned, online classes which seem like they would be suitable. One thing you did mention which is pretty true is once you start nursing school, it is wise not to miss class. Even missing one class can keep you behind, you will be surprised.

Since there seems to be no real hurry for you to get into and finish a program, your best bet would be to get your prerequisites out of the way a little at a time. I am currently taking A&P1 w/ lab and Statistics over the summer (5 weeks long). It is extremely fast paced but I am really cramming just because I wanna get it over with and I don't plan on staying in school forever!!! As for your situation though, I would do what you can online, and once your youngest is in school, you can finish the other prerequisites and start the actual nursing program.

Good luck with nursing and hopefully your daughter feels better too!