Now or never?

Noryn · Oct 1, 2008

Now...

subtle · Oct 1, 2008

Now. Do it while you are still in school-mindset...

TopazLover, BSN, RN · Oct 1, 2008

I would go for it. If things are too much you could always drop out after a semester and have less to do later if you had to.

You are in the habit of studying and the kids are used to you being a student so it may not be as disruptive as stop and go education.

Also depends on amount of time you will need to work and where you will work.

Pray over the decision if that is your value system. If not, write the old list of pros and cons. We can give you suggestions but we can't make the correct decision for you.

Best of luck. Let us know your decision.

Trauma Columnist · Oct 1, 2008

Now - I went straight from LPN to RN and then 8 years later went from ADN to BSN to MSN to post-MSN straight thru. I know for me, when I'm in the school mode - I gotta take advantage of it.

Good luck.

SunnyAndrsn · Oct 1, 2008

Your kids will only be this age NOW...can you balance parenting, working part time, school, and two kidlets?

Also, have you examined the reasons why it's important for you to get that RN vs. being an LPN? I knew for me personally, I wanted to be an RN, working with a specific population. That would not be possible with an LPN. I've also been hearing that the LPN role is being phased out, and that limited career options.

Just a few more things to think about.

Hello everyone. I am in my 3rd semester of a LPN program. The last day of the semester is November 20th. I have the option of beginning RN classes right away. They would start December 1st of this year. It would take another 15 months to complete the program. I have a 7 year old and a 3 year old. It has been a really hard, challenging year but thankfully I didn't have to work while taking my classes and attending clinicals. With the RN program I will have to work part time. I turned 30 this summer and worry that if I quit school now that I will never go back. What is your advice for me? I REALLY want my RN license but worry about the added stress of going on right away. However, I feel that there is a great possibility that I would never go back to school.....

bagladyrn, RN · Oct 1, 2008

I'd agree with those who say "Go". Along with everything else you are setting a good example for your children of the importance of education.

You will also have more flexibility in choices of work situations/hours/locations as an RN which will enable you to work with your family situation and children's needs.

Duckyaryj · Oct 1, 2008

I would make a T chart on the risks/benefits of going to school now. Reflect on why you want your RN NOW vs later and get input from family. But most importantly follow your heart. As your children grow up they will see how you handled this dilemma. 15 months is a long time in a child's life but people do this all the time and You can to. Like I said before, follow your heart. If your family disagrees with your final decision...they will get over it and will most likely be the ones at your graduation beaming with pride and forget the hardships as hardships but as building blocks to a better life.

nurseontheway · Oct 1, 2008

What I would really like to be is a stay at home mom lol :wink2:. Since I need to work I would prefer to be an RN in the long run. Like someone said- I feel that there will be more opportunities. I have a long time to work and think that I will be happier in a hospital. I am strongly thinking about labor and delivery but that is a long way off. It would be nice in a way to just work my three, 12 hour days and have the other four with my kids (as an LPN.) I just feel this drive and desire in my heart to finish my program. That is one of the reasons that I loved my school in the first place- they have a fast track program where you get your LPN first (11 months) and then after you finish your RN classes you end up with your ADN. I want to continue and pray that I will find the strength. My plan is to probably just 'jump in' and see how it goes. I think that I would really regret it otherwise.....

laketrash · Oct 1, 2008

Hi,:wink2:

I agree with the others, now is the time !, If you cannot take on all of it just do what you can. There are a lot of courses you can take such as nsg math, A&P, and your electives before you actually get into the nitty gritty nsg classes. Just a thought ! :twocents:

jjjoy, LPN · Oct 1, 2008

If you can, you can give it a try while also giving yourself permission to put it on hold if need be, especially since you'll be working part-time and don't yet know what that will be like in terms of scheduling or stress.

Good luck!!

kythe, LPN · Oct 1, 2008

I hate being the voice of dissent - and I don't disagree with the previous posts - but I will offer an alternative perspective. I'm about the same age as you and my kids are only slightly older.

I originally planned to go straight for RN with a specific career goal in mind. I finished my LPN year and got a license so I could work during the summer break, but some things came up in my personal life and I ended up not going back for RN. I'm actually happy with how things turned out. I found a job I love and I now work nights on weekends, which allows me to spend more time with my kids. I like having a schedule where I can feel like a SAHM on the weekdays, and have a consistent schedule (unlike a student schedule) so our lives are more predictable. I am still a nurse and gain valuable experience with my job, and I make enough to live much more comfortably than we used to.

I plan to return to school next year, and I think it will work better then. Both of my kids will be in school full-time and my oldest may be at an age where she needs less child care and is more independent. Contrast this with my first nursing school experience dealing with child care for preschoolers with an erratic schedule. Since the kids will be older, I think our family life will suffer less because of my education.

There are many people who go back to school after a time, even years. It isn't necessarily a now-or-never choice.