Should I postpone starting a family?

[jenjen22]

I am 27 years old and have been working in the "business world" for about 5 years now. I have decided that I don't want to waist any more time in a career that I'm not happy in, so I've decided to go back to school to become a nurse. If everything goes smoothly as far as getting my prereqs done and getting accepted into nursing school I figure it will take me about 3 years.

The problem that I'm having is that I've been married for about 2 1/2 years, and my husband and I would love to start a family. He is very supportive, and will go along with whatever I decide to do, but I don't know if I should wait until I'm 30 to start a family. I know it's not that uncommon now, but I'm having a hard time justifying putting off children for my career. In a way I feel like I'm being selfish. Should I have children first, and then make my career change?

Also, if I do go to nursing school first and eventually get hired on at a hospital, would it be frowned upon if I got pregnant right away? Do hospitals provide any type of maternity leave?

Any advice or guidance would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

[NurseyBaby'05, BSN, RN]

Will you be HAPPIER with a child? Almost always the answer will be yes. Will it be easier? Almost always the answer will be no.

Jeepgirl-

You hit the nail on the head!

Elizabeth

[Q.]

I postponed having any children until I was almost done with my master's degree. I'm 32, I got pregnant in October 04, found out I'm having twins, and now on bed rest and had to drop one of my classes. I've lost all the work I already put into it and will have to pay for the class again. My graduation date is also postponed. I'm still able to work on my thesis but that is hard also, being so tired, sore and hardly able to move.

My advice is to wait until school is done, just based on my experience. It took us over a year to conceive, true, but your pregnancy could also have alot of complications which prevent you from working let alone going to class.

My husband and I always been advocates for getting oneself situated and straightened out first, career-wise and financially, THEN starting a family. I wouldn't advise starting a family when your life may already be in flux.

Good luck in whatever you decide.