Should I go to nursing school with two foster babies and debt?

[Nurse Beth, MSN]

Dear Debt and Babies,

Getting through nursing school is a function of determination as much as anything else. I am convinced that those who succeed are driven to some degree. I have come to the conclusion that success is as much a function of intelligence as determination.

All of us who made it through nursing school have different stories. Different challenges. Different barriers and different opportunities.

But it's not about the barriers, challenges and even opportunities, it's about how much you want it. Drive.

So I ask you, how badly do you want to be a Registered Nurse? If you know deep down you want it, nothing will stop you. Not babies, not your age, and not finances.

If you are unsure, then examine your motivation. What made you pick nursing? Is this a default choice (current job not working out), something you are drawn to (always wanted to help others), an economic decision (nurses earn fairly good wages)? It's important to understand your motivation and the strength of your motivation because this will determine your predicted success.

Nursing school is rough, and it takes single-mindedness. Only you can gauge how important this is to you.

I will tell you that once you make it through, you probably will not regret it. It's a rewarding career.

[Wuzzie]

On 1/17/2019 at 10:04 AM, Nurse Beth said:

I'm considering applying to RN school and leaving a career that I have never been successful at. But, I'm 47, have much debt, rent and other bills to pay, and am raising (along with my wife) two foster babies that we hope to soon adopt. Is it possible for me to go to nursing school, even though I have all of this responsibility?

I think it would behoove the OP to take a long and hard look at the hows and whys he was not successful at his current job. Otherwise he may risk doing the same things in nursing school or as a nurse resulting in not being successful again but this time with much more to lose. Just wanting to be a nurse may not be enough.

[grandmafish]

Anything is possible, but...…..

A four year degree is hard, hard work. I too am a foster parent. I went back to school when my 7 children (4 birth/3 foster) were all in school. I started college the same day as my oldest daughter. I scheduled classes that I could around everything else.

Looking back I wonder how I did it. I think the comment that you have to be driven is very true. You can't just want it, you have to commit to it fully and so does your family. There were many days when I just put one foot in front of the other and did what I had set out to do. Writing an essay when a child was sick, meant take care of the child first and work later in the night to finish.

Am I glad it is over and I have worked for the last many years. You bet. My family are very proud, I am even prouder of me and when my husband died 12 years ago at 62, I realized that life would have been very different if I hadn't had this career to keep all of us afloat.

Think hard about it, starting for me at 38 to go back to school meant there was not quitting. I wasn't about to waste the time and money and I had spent a lot of time deciding if this was right for me. Good luck with the process. k

[Psychnursehopeful, ASN, RN]

I plan on going to an ADN program with a baby and twns of thousands in savings. My spouse will make oek full time while I do an evening program. I chose this path because it spoke to me, I also love the science of the body. May God bless you with the strength to persevere.

[Psychnursehopeful, ASN, RN]

On 1/22/2019 at 8:06 PM, Psychnursehopeful said:

I plan on going to an ADN program with a baby and twns of thousands in savings. My spouse will make oek full time while I do an evening program. I chose this path because it spoke to me, I also love the science of the body. May God bless you with the strength to persevere.

Update: just started my last semester. I'm still hopeful about becoming a new nurse just unsure if psych is the way to go.