sometimesagreat...

I'm an FNP student, so forgive me for posting here rather than in the student section, but I'm looking for perspective from people who have been through this. I'm about a semester and a half into my program and I am in a constant state of second-guessing. The root of my dilemma (aside from being an over-thinker in general) is that I have very young children right now (ages 1-7) and I am terrified that, in pushing my way through grad school and trying to work enough that we don't starve, I'm going to miss my children growing up. I worry that I'll regret having done this for the rest of my life and will never get back these years. I've already taken a one year LOA after acceptance before even starting the program. This is a DNP program, so I've still got 2.5 full time or 3.5 part time years ahead of me. I keep wondering if I should just quit and apply again in 4 years when all of my kids are school-aged, but I know that those years are busy too, in a different way. I'd also have wasted a lot of money and time on the courses I've already taken, because most if not all would need to be retaken. I dread taking the GRE, writing the essays, getting the letters of recommendation, etc. all over again. Does anyone have any thoughts, perspective, hindsight they'd like to share with me? Did you do it with small children? Did you make the choice to wait until they were older? Are you happy with your choice and the timing, or do you regret it? Thanks a lot.

One of my major life goals is to never work full time. Or at least, never work 5 days a week, 40+ hours. I would love to work something like 3 10 hour shifts or maybe 3 12s. I am starting my second semester of an FNP program and am really getting cold feet. Is this kind of schedule likely to find as an FNP? A new grad FNP? I think I've seen those types of hours in the ER, but I have no interest in that. Thanks for any input!

Any chance that having summers off is common as a nursing instructor/professor? Please don't assume my motives are misguided; I really love teaching, but am trying to decide my life path and want all available info. Thanks!