Pregnant and Perplexed

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hi there,

so i am having a rough time trying to make a decision and i can use whatever feedback is out there.

background: i am 32; newly engaged, to wed next year. currently work as a marketing communications coordinator (entry-level position). i have my ba in marketing. have been in the field for 4 years and absolutely hate it. no, i'm sorry, i actually loathe it, the business environment in and of itself, the sitting at a desk for hours (which, i am convinced, is a form of human torture), the suits, the heels, the 9-5, the not giving a *** about anything but "the bottom line". over it. always loved science, always loved helping others; but, when my father said to me at 19, "business is the way to go" , i listened....mistake. i digress....i am happiest when i am helping people and when i am learning. so, a career change is in order.

issue? well, i had it all planned out....until i found out last week that i am pregnant; wasn't part of the plan. apparently passion interfered with my ability to read the bold warning sign on my bottle of antibiotics that said "taking this drug can reduce the effectiveness of birth control". yes, well now i am going to be a mother in about eight months. i am not unhappy about the pregnancy, i am just struggling with some career decisions on my plate. a large part of me is just saying "forget it". just move on and find a job in business and suck it up. then the other part is dying inside b/c i know this is what i want. i live in san diego and there is tremendous competition for slots in nursing programs. when i think about trying to go to school and then actually getting into a school with the intense competition, i get very discouraged. i have the drive to get there, but i need to know that i am not reaching for something that is unattainable. i need to work at-least part time to pay my bills. am i naive to think that i can work part-time, care for a newborn and go to school at the same time? should i just take out an enormous loan to live off of while i go to school full-time? i know some of you may read this post and think, "girl, i have 4 kids, work full-time, teach yoga, i'm working on my msn, have my own business on the side and am training for an ironman". yes, i know there are women out there with this gift, and i wish i had it, but i don't. i don't know what my options are and i am quite discouraged. has anyone out there been in this situation? or a situation similar to my own? any advice would be much, much appreciated. thank you!

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Neuro, ICU, travel RN, Psych.

Well, you've got some time before you'll actually be into a nursing program. You'll have to get your A&P classes, micro biology and all that out of the way first. I don't know much about them, but I know some schools offer a bridge type program for people who have a bachelors degree in something else. So that would be something to check into as well.

I did the student loans to help me with living expenses as well. I put myself through school, since I couldn't work full time I had no choice but to get the loans to assist with my bills. With a child, you may qualify for a decent amount of financial aid as well. Just do some research.. see what your options are. What classes you have to take before you can apply to a program. Good luck!!

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Specializes in tele, ICU.

the previous poster is right. You'll most likely have to get a bunch of pre-req's out of the way before you even set foot in nursing school. Maybe you can start out by taking online classes while working part-time once you have your baby. See how that goes, and you can ease into regular classroom classes once your babe is a little older and you find childcare. Do you have family and/or support around you who can help with looking after a little one? That can make a big difference. Also, student loans are the best kind of debt you can have- if it's worth it to you to take out loans to achieve this dream for yourself, go for it. And definitely apply for grants, etc. You don't want to kick yourself later on and regret anything. There's never a "perfect" time to go back to school (or to have a kid, for that matter), but you can do it.

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Thanks BigMona. All of my family lives on the east coast, but my fiance is extremely supportive, so maybe there is a way to work stuff out with his job. Thanks again for the advice!

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I agree with everyone! I am currently a part-time working at UPS while taking science courses, etc. I start the nursing assistant program in November to work as a part-time , if I can find one. After that, I will be taking Chemistry , microbiology, A & P 1-2... then I am going for the BSN for nursing.

You're very young! It's never too late.

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Kudos to you for wanting to pursue a career that will make you happy, the decision to make that jump takes guts! May I suggest though trying your hand as a CNA while you work your way into nursing? Ive seen many people spend years working toward a nursing degree only to get into the field and realize its not what they wanted at all (not everyone can stomach the less appealing tasks a nurse must perform.) And though I may be flogged by the 'do-gooders' here you may also want to postpone your wedding in order to help with financial aid. Once youre married you have to include his income on your application for financial aid. Once you have the baby (congrats by the way) youre more likely to get assistance on one income. Whatever you decide, best of luck!!!

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Specializes in COS-C, Risk Management.

I found out I was pregnant with DD when I decided to go back to school for nursing. I took A&P1 and nutrition my first semester and basically aced them. Took the next semester off as DD was born in the middle of it, then went back full steam ahead until I was done, 2 or 3 classes at a time while I worked. I separated from DD's father when she was 15 months and did the rest of it on my own. It was a struggle, without a doubt, but it was doable. If I can do it, anyone can.

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I found out I was pregnant with DD when I decided to go back to school for nursing. I took A&P1 and nutrition my first semester and basically aced them. Took the next semester off as DD was born in the middle of it, then went back full steam ahead until I was done, 2 or 3 classes at a time while I worked. I separated from DD's father when she was 15 months and did the rest of it on my own. It was a struggle, without a doubt, but it was doable. If I can do it, anyone can.

I was thinking of taking nutrition because I know a bit about nutrition.. I know what's healthy and what is not.

You think I should take that class for nursing? My main major is either registered nurse or nurse practitioner.

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Optimist: Thank you for the kind words! Those are actually excellent suggestions! I will definitely do more research on these options. Tahnks for your input!

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Wow, Kate. That is very inspiring! That is awesome that you were able to do all of that and encourages me to move forward with his. Thank you for sharing your story with me!

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I would suggest just relax for now and enjoy the pregnancy then wait until after the baby is born. You may have a better vision of how things can turn out for you. Congratulations on your impending bundle of joy:yeah:

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Specializes in Critical Care.

First I would try to get some experience and make sure this is what you want. Nursing may be all about "caring" for others but it is definitely run like a business whether by profit or non-profit which means you have little control over staffing, assignments, acuity, lack of equipment such as lift equipment. Not to mention the short staffing with the mandatory overtime where there is no concern for you or your children or family. Don't forget the weekends and holidays that will be sacrificed to the hospital or nursing home and spent away from your family. Wages are flat and lastly health insurance sucks and I think healthcare workers have worse health insurance then many others. Nursing is not all its cracked up to be so be aware before investing thousands of dollars to get a degree or taking out loans. Make sure this is what you really want!

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