SAHM of 2 young kids wants to be a nurse. Realistic?

[bwardrope]

I am looking for advice from those of you who have been through nursing school while raising a family. I am currently a stay-at-home-mom of a 3 year old and 1 1/2 year old. My background is in advertising but I quit 3 years ago when my daughter was born. I have always wanted to be a nurse and feel like now is the time to do it. I have a BA from Michigan State University so I may do an accelerated BSN program or just get an associates. Most of my previous science classes will not transfer (b/c of bad grades) so I am basically starting from scratch. I am hoping to start taking my prereqs this winter and then would start nursing school when my youngest enters kindergarten (2013). I'm just unsure how realistic it will be to go through nursing school full-time while still needing to pick my kids up from school, make dinner and all of the other Mom stuff. Is there anyone out there that has gone through nursing school while raising young kids? Am I crazy to do it when they are so young (youngest would be 5 when I start) or should I wait until they are older and less dependent on me? Any advice is appreciated!

[Pickles74]

I did LPN school with 3 kids in grade school and it was hard. I'm taking prereqs now to get into an RN program. Don't take too long with those science credits, or they may expire before you apply to nursing school and you will have to repeat the classes. Also, realize that nursing school clinicals can be at odd hours. I had some that began at 6:00am and some that ran until 11:00pm. I had to put 2 of my kids into before school daycare (added expense); as a SAHM, daycare was something that I swore I would never do with my kids.

Realistically, there is no way to attend school parties, field trips, and all of the ballgames (but you won't be able to do it all as a working mom after nursing school either). I have spent many a football practice, baseball game, and orchestra concert intermission studying flashcards and doing care plans. You will feel SO GUILTY about everything that you miss (must be a Mom thing). Just remember that our parents did not attend every activity that we experienced as kids and we turned out alright. As a new nurse, you will not be offered the prime shifts for childrearing either! My husband has really had to step it up a notch, and he's adjusted pretty well.

However, my kids now see how important school is to their future. They see me study hard and take school seriously; they celebrate every "A" with me and I do the same with them! I think it's been worth it, even if it's difficult. We're just hoping to get MY student loans paid off before our kids start college. Good luck!

[bwardrope]

Thanks for your post. It was the most helpful to me. I know I can make it work but you gave me a good idea of what to expect. I'm so conflicted about when to do this!