a new beginning, any advice or suggestions?

frankie · Oct 13, 2002

Sclwc...Hi frankie here. Nursing school is demanding. With 2 young children and a traveling husband, you will need support financially, emotionally, and child care. If you can swing those areas, then I say persue nursing. It is a great profession. The pay is OK - but as a second family income it is excellent pay. If you can handle 4-5 years of school - go for the BSN. It is easier to get this upfront, esp. with small ones at home. Good Luck

Frankie

SmilingBluEyes · Oct 13, 2002

I am 2nd-career RN with 5 years' experience now. Despite all the negative things you may read on these boards here (justified) there is much positive you can get in choosing nursing as your career. For me, I work Perdiem (as needed) at two different hospitals. I work when I want, as I can fit into my dh's tough military schedule (not to mention he goes to school at night). I am home the kids during the times he is not, he takes care of htem when I do work. I receive a pretty nice differential for not being a full-time employee and another two for working weekends and nights.

All told, the money can be good if you work it right and you can pretty much work the hours you choose to. The biggest plus for me is the really good feeling I get making a difference in so many lives. I can say I definately do like getting a hug from grateful patients and family members. I wish you well in your decision-making process. Pls. PM me if I can be of any further help to you!

whipping girl in 07, RN · Oct 13, 2002

I made it through nursing school with a toddler-to-preschooler and a husband who was out of town 75% of the time, with all my family at least 300 miles away. It was not easy, but I would not change the way I did things. Sometimes babysitting was hard to swing, but most of the time day care was able to take care of all my child care needs for classes and clinicals. One semester my son's teacher would let me drop him off at her house before my clinicals and she would take him to school. Later I was able to find a day care that was close to the hospitals I did my clinicals at that opened pretty early, and I arranged for the director to come in 15 minutes early on my clinical days.

As for studying, I relied on early bedtimes and Nickelodeon! Sometimes I would even get up at 3:30 AM to finish a care plan or study some more for a test. If you want it bad enough, you can do it.

ANnot4me · Oct 13, 2002

If you can swing it, you can take 1 class per semester (quarter). A lot of schools have night programs with classes meeting 1 night/week. You will have plenty of prerequisites to fulfill and some of them are pretty tough. It took me 5 years to get my BSN. I was in my middle 20's when I started and worked all the way through school.

sclwcz3RN2be · Oct 14, 2002

Thank you for your reply. I know that it will be challenging, however, this is something I really want to do. My husband is very supportive of me and my ambition. It's good to know that someone else has been in a simliar situation as me, and it is always encouraging to know that it was worth it from someone who has been there and done that. Thanks again!