Second Career Students--HOW can I do this?

[RDH2RN]

Here's my dilemma:

Yesterday, I went to an info. session for the nursing program I will eventually attend (have to take a few pre-req's first). Everything was great until the instructor says, "Most of our nursing students work nights or weekends. There is NO WAY you can have a regular 9-5 job and go to nursing school. It's a full-time thing." I then came home and checked out the course times for every nursing term, and she was basically right. For the first term alone, I would be able to work Mondays after 10 am, Tuesdays & Wednesdays after 1:30 pm, Thursdays after 11:00 am and Fridays all day.

Well, I'm currently a dental hygienist. As you may know, dental offices are not open at night. And, most offices won't let a hygienist work half a day. So, I'm thinking, "Okay, so I'll just have to get a nights/weekends job....but that means (most likely) a minimum wage job." I'm married with two kids. We're barely scraping by with our bills as it is right now, and (as a hygienist) I make the same or more as most RN's here in NM. I don't know HOW we would survive if I had to work a min. wage job during school!!

I'm not putting down min. wage jobs at all. I'm just wondering how those of you who also are pursuing nursing as a second career are affording to not work as much, while you're in school? Am I making any sense? :imbar

I don't want to give up my dream of becoming an RN, just because I'll have to work a less-paying job during school. It's the BILLS I'm worried about! Know what I mean?

Angel

[RDH2RN]

Just curious why you are leaving Dental Hygeine? Here in Indiana they make 25 to 50 bucks an hour! I looked into going to school for that and they have 1000 applicants for 15 slots. They accept no transfer credit and it is full time study too. DH's are in great demand here.

LOL That seems to be the question I've been getting lately. Please see my response to this on page 2 of this thread (post #12).

Angel

[RDH2RN]

That's too bad. One of my school mates is a hygienist part time while in school. She is able to attend school 8-12 and work 1-5. Sorry I couldn't be of any help.

Hey, that's okay, Fleasle. I greatly appreciate ALL advice and encouragement. :) It's also great to know there are other hygienists out there wanting to become nurses too. So, I know I can't be crazy! LOL

Angel

[manna, BSN, RN]

I have lots of mommy guilt too - luckily I was able to quit my FT job, but I'm still in class 40+ hours a week, plus I commute 600+ miles/week. My kids have been in daycare since they were babies, so that separation wasn't difficult.. it's just the stress/pressure of school and having to devote so much time to studies at home as well. My boys (6 and 3) are really wonderful, and we all realize that this is a SHORT term sacrifice for a LONG term gain for all of us. That's what keeps us going.. and just on the verge of a nervous breakdown instead of in a full blown one! :chuckle

[nurse wannabe]

To all of you suffering from "Mommy Guilt", please don't worry!!!!! I went for my first degree when my son was about 7 or 8, and also worked part time. It set a great example for him to see me doing homework and studying while he did the same. I suffered through many guilt-trips, but in the end it is QUALITY over quantity! Make it as fun as you can. Do your studies at the same time, if possible, and take cookie breaks or something together. I tried to always do one special thing every week with him (a movie, the zoo, special dinner, etc.) as our "reward" for working so hard. My son is 24 now, and went through grade school, high school and college with almost straight-A's. Good luck to all of you. Your hard work will pay off.