Iris007

I'm hoping to be able to prepare as much as possible so that my family is not very much affected financially. I know it will be hard to survive under one income being that both incomes are needed to meet ends meet. I'm just hoping paying off actual debt and student loans can help me get by during nursing school. As per specialty I have a few in mind but I'm mostly inclined to Pedi ICU/NICU or Oncology. I do understand that I may have to obtain a couple of years of experience before branching out to any specialty. One of my concerns is working nights, my husband wakes up at 2am to go to work, we can't both we out overnight. It may take me a little longer to find a job due to not being able to leave the kids home alone. My husband gets home early so after school pick up is pretty much covered.

It's exciting to speak to those that are in the same boat. I'm currently registered do start my pre-requisite this semester, I have done some in the past but being that they were 5 years ago I have to retake them (per my school policy). I will continue working full time until I go into the nursing program, my school also does accelerate and traditional courses. They are planning on starting a part-time and night time program in 2019-2020. I'm thinking about considering those as they will allow for me to continue working full time, but I'm also getting financially ready if working is not an option. We are purchasing our home and paying off all debt, hopefully leaving us with only our mortgage which we will be able to comfortably pay on one income. I'm very excited to start this new stage in my life. It may take me longer than others to actually finish the program since I will be doing my pre-reqs part time, but that's ok. Are you already done with your pre-reqs? Another thing that scares me is the pay-cut I will be taking, but that's a small risk I'm willing to take.

Hello all, I have been a banker for the past 12 Years, it was my first real job. I have received many promotions and recognitions throughout my career, but I have never felt complete. I have always wanted to work in the medical field since I was very young. Due to many personal reasons It wasn't double for me to go into it. In 2008 my son became sick with viral meningitis and encephalitis. We lived in the hospital for over 50 days and if it wasn't because of my nurses I don't know where we would be today, I knew then I wanted to be there for others during their hard times. I couldn't afford the change in career then because insurance was so critical for my family. I am 30 years old and will be starting my pre-reqs this spring semester and plan on obtaining my BSN in the next 5 years. I have over 3.5 years hospital volunteer covered. Which proves to me that when I'm at the hospital it's where I want to be. I'm scared for the change but feel that in order to truly be happy I need to do this for myself and my family. My husband has been pushing me to get started for the past couple of years, my children are now older (15,11 & 6yr). What worries me the most is the finances, we are in the process of purchasing our first home and saving to put our kids through college. At this point, I need to get started and worry about what's next at a later time. ----- I just needed to vent to some that may understand.

I have registered for pre-requisites started next semester in a community college. I have over 3 years worth of experience in a hospital, what's sad is that when I'm in the hospital I have feel at peace, fulfilled... nothing like when I'm at work, even though I'm good at what I do, it's just work.

I have over 3 years worth of volunteering. It's a passsion that I've always had. I'm just concerned about the financial aspect of the harsh paycut

I remember wanting to be a nurse since the age of 16, it was all I dreamed about. I became a mother at the age of 17, and quickly gave into my fathers wishes of me entering the business world. I have now 10 years working in finance, while I make a very decent living, I find myself not happy... I feel as if I gave up on my dreams (which technically I did). For the past 3 years all I think about is going to school and becoming a nurse, but then I'm faced with the questions of how will I pay for my house? How will I survive? Will my kids suffer? Am I being selfish? Going into nursing would mean taking a large pay cut anywhere from $20,000-$30,000 (I live in central FL) what would you do? I want to sign up for next semester.