undecidedjp

Hi :) I have been on here a few times for advice on going to nursing school or early childhood education. I am in healthcare and have been working as a cna for about 10 years now...on and off..:)..I have two young kids that are not yet in school..and I want to do something that let's me make the most of my time with my family while I am in school and when I have the job. I've been paaionate for nursing for a very long time.I also LOVE children and love the idea of working with them. Anyways I plan on starting school part time this spring and I am not sure if I should go with nursing prerequisites or start my education degree??!! I'm a little nervous about nursing after reading how all these new grads are having such a hard time finding work! I am one of the few(I think..or so it seems) that actually wants to start in a ltc facility...is it easier to get a job at a place like that over a hospital?? How many of you that work as a nurse and have a family find that you have enough time with your kids?? :)

oops.. I meant.. the time I spend in school each day will be shorter if I already have taken all pre reqs and general classes that I can take without being enrolled in the program... I didn't mean I could graduate sooner.. but I could just take nursing classes rather than everything else they have listed for each semester so my night would be shorter than those taking the full program at once..?

Hi :) After many years I am finally stopping making excuses and going for nursing school...I hope!! :) Anyways I do have an issue... the full time and part time programs around here do not work very well for my schedule. I have two kids and not alot of help. I am married.. but my husband works alot and wouldn't be home in time for me to make it to the part time program.. I do have family and friends but they all, or most of them ,work as well and some do have rotating schedules but there is not one person that I can rely on consistantly. There is a friend of mine that doesnt work and she is GREAT with my kids but she has three young ones of her own so I wouldnt want to have her HAVE to watch mine regularly..?? I am wondering if any of you have taken all the classes that you can from the nursing program before getting into the program??.. obviously except the "nursing classes".. Like if I took A&P1 and 2. Chemistry 1 and 2. english.Psychology.sociology. Microbiology. human growth and development. algebra... and whatever else there is before actually starting the nursing program??? If I did that my hours of being in the specific program would be much shorter right?? and I can just take those classes as I am able to now.. right? Have any of you done it like this? I know that this will take alot longer.. but thats okay if it works! Atleast I will be headed in the direction I want to go!! :)

:DThank you both so much!! Just what I needed to hear. :) I am a little nervous, but I know I will be so happy once I am done!.. and I am sure my family will be too! Thank you for your responses!

Hey laughing weasel :) I definitely am strong about being a good parent and being with my kids as much as possible..thats why I am afraid to go back to school and be a nurse. I hear so much how it takes over your life!! :) I definitely think you should be compensated well for the work you do!.. I just meant I'm not thinking of being a nurse just because I hear it pays well .. I like what you said about using our gifts!... I do feel that I would be a great nurse and feel like I HAVE to do it. I am just afraid of not doing well in class and also missing out on alot with my kids.. but on the other hand I partially want to do this for my kids! I just have some friends whos mothers were or are nurses and they wish that she was around more instead of working so much... but again.. you don't HAVE to work ALL kinds of crazy hours.. not all nurses do..????.. I'm glad to hear you love your job. :) I have heard some negativity from some nurses and its discouraging! How long have you been a nurse?? and do you have kids?... if you don't mind me asking!! :) Thanks! :)

Hello :) I have posted on here before with a similar question months ago, but I need more help! :) I am 28 with 2 young kids. I have been a CNA on and off for ten years now. On and off due to a few years ago I decided to try something different because the nursing home I was working at at the time really pushed me away from anything nursing!.. I came back because I missed it.. I have also wanted to be a nurse since in highschool. I have always felt something when walking into nursing homes or hospitals.. like its what I wanted to do. I have also thought of other things which is part of the reason I never continued school.. because I just cant decide! Alot of the other reasons are.. money.. being foolish and not going right after highschool... Now, in the next couple years, I have a chance to go back to school part time once I decide what to do! I am scared to go into nursing even though its been the career I have wanted the most and thought about the most. I love the idea of it. I love helping people and I am very caring. I actually love working with the elderly and making them smile. Whenever I see someone who is a nurse I feel almost envious.. not bad.. just wish I had done it. The problem I have with this decision is that I am not sure I can or want to handle all the responsibility and stress that comes along with it. I am also not sure about all the schooling at this time in my life. Am I going to be able to sit back and enjoy time with my children whie they are young?? Will I pass the classes?? Do I really want to have to sign something about it being mandatory to stay another shift if the next nurse cant come in.. do I really want to work christmas and other major holidays??!!.. Then on the other hand.. and I do understand in this economy even nursing is not doing well and also want you to know that the money was not a reason why I wanted to become a nurse in the first place.. I actually would get very annoyed with people that I knew that wanted to go into nursing for that reason years ago.... I just wonder if all of the things I am not sure about being able to handle about nursing is worth giving it my best and getting through it for myself and my family and our future?? I really don't know why I am making this decision SO difficult! I had wanted to be a nurse SO bad at one point in my life ( I still think abolut it and am still wishing I did it).. that I guess I feel like if I don't do it I am letting myself and family down????..but I do want to do SOMETHING.

My father in law ( who we have been living with for the past couple months) has a had a sore and very swollen elbow for about a week or more now. Dr thought it was gout. Today he came home saying it is MRSA. He does not have a rash or open wound. I have a 5 month old and a 2 year old. I am very nervous now because they are always in contact with him! He holds them , just a couple days ago my 2 year old shared crackers and dip with him.... We share a kitchen and bathroom, including hand towels! I am so nervous I am hoping that you cannot catch it if the person who has it does not have an open wound????

thank you :) That has definitely been a thought!....

Hi :) I posted a thread on here about whether or not I should go back to school for nursing or teaching. :) I guess a question I should ask that would really help even more is : Those of you who are already nurses and have children.. do you find it difficult balancing both? do you feel your work gets in the way of home? I just feel like I would be miserable having to work holidays and weekends having my two little ones at home! .. but I also know that me becoming a nurse will be a great benefit for my family. I know there are SO MANY different nursing jobs out there, I guess I am just afraid that I will be away from my family when they are all home and i don't want that.... anyone else feel the same or deal with this, or have a way to get around it????? Thanks for all advice!!!! I plan on starting school this summer with some pre requisites..

Thankyou so much for the advice :)

Hi everyone :) My name is Jill. I am 27 and currently staying home with two kids under 2! :) I have had my cna since I was 18 and have been considering nursing school since highschool! I put it off right away for very stupid reasons! (out having fun.. boyfriend...bla bla bla) If I had just done it then.... ugh! Oh well. Now I have my two little ones and I still want to go back to school for myself and to better my family. Part of me is a little afraid to go through with it. my stomache is not very strong for some of the things I might have to deal with being a nurse or nursing student. I am not sure if I would be setting myself up for failure ? The other thing is... I dont know how I feel about working holidays and weekend while I have my kids. I love having my family and family time. My other option is teaching. I love little kids and the vacation time off with them is VERY appealing. I am able to start going back to school part time in september and i really want to make the right choice! My family just says.. do what you want.. which is great but I am not 100% sure! I feel like one month it is nurse. Next month, teacher! If anyone has advice to help I truly appreciate it! Thank you so much :)