Opinions would be wonderful!

[Ambetterlate]

I am stuck between a rock and a hard place. I am a nursing student who is halfway through. I finished the first half and took a year off to work on my Masters in marriage and family therapy and to be present for all of the major life changes my family was going through (some health for me). Now that all of that is straightened out, I am ready to get back on the horse. I was drawn to nursing mainly for the stability of the job but also because I am my best in caring for others. A licensed family marriage therapist only makes about $30,000 a year and I would not be able to support my 8 children on that salary if anything ever happened to my husband (hard manual laborer). I am struggling badly at the moment to decide whether to continue pursuing my masters and seek self-employment in order to make good money, or if I should finish my RN? I am a bit scared that once I start working as an RN, I won't have time or the ambition to finish my masters. I love the mental health community and know that it is where I am meant to be. Hopefully you seasoned nurses could give me some input? I will take any advice at this point! Thanks so much. Amber

PS. I have looked into PMHNP education in NY and it is not offered online, so that is a no-go for me. Right now, I help run our plumbing company and am home with the kids.

[Ambetterlate]

Look , you have done it all and now it is time to decide and pick one thing and finish it. I do not know your birth control situation or your beliefs but you asked for an opinion.If your tubes are not tied then you get some really good birth control ,tackle nursing school for the next two years and nothing else,focus on school and your eight children .You graduate, take your boards,get hired,get experience....

Hahahahaha....Leader25...we are all done having kids...husband took care of it! Not that I wouldn't love more, because I would. My most pressing concern is having a skill to help out with supporting my family should I need to at some point. My husband is a wonderful provider but we all know how fast things can change...especially in self-employment. I only have 1 year left for nursing. Thank you for your input. It seems that everyone so far thinks I should buckle down and wrap it up.

[GentheRN, ASN, RN]

You better finish that degree! I am in my last semester of my ADN and I swear to you that the third semester started an hour ago. It goes so fast you won't believe it. You've made it this far, don't be concerned at all about making it through. :)