Single Mom and Nursing?

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I am currently working in Human Resources (specifically in compensation and benefits) and am also working on my Masters in Human Resource Management (entirely online and only 1/4 of the way in). I am also a single mother to a 15 month old. Unfortunately, I am finding that I do not like HR much. In general, I am tired of having a desk job and doing unrewarding work with no satisfaction.

So, I am considering nursing. The thought of going back to school for something as challenging and interesting as nursing excites me. I can't think of a job more satisfying and rewarding, where I'd be in the business of helping people, saving lives, and making a difference. I feel like nursing could be a career I'd be proud of.

I have already submitted my application to a local community college to begin working on prerequisites for nursing school and have applied to volunteer at a hospital near me to gain some experience in the medical field to see if I like it.

Unfortunately, very few people are supporting me in my decision and enthusiasm for nursing, except my parents. Everyone emphasizes that nursing is nothing but hard, stressful, dirty work that isn't worth the pay. I understand there is some dirty work involved (and I'm pretty sure I can handle it) and I understand it will be stressful, but I expect it will also be exciting, rewarding, and satisfying...much more so than what I'm doing now. Another con people keep bringing up is the hours...people keep telling me I will never see my son because I will be working so much.

My question is...is nursing a good career for a single mother? Is it true I will work so many hours that I won't see my son?

Also, I'm sure it's been asked a million times on here before, but tell me what you love and hate about nursing. What does it take to be a nurse? And how did you know nursing was right for you?

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Nursing can be a dirty, back breaking job but I love it , my only regret is that I did't do this many years ago. Forget your altruistic sentiments, nursing is a JOB that pay better than most jobs. Treat nursing like a JOB and your satisfaction will be much better. Alot of your patients will be mean and unappreciative. This is

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Ortho, ASC.
Nursing can be a dirty, back breaking job but I love it , my only regret is that I did't do this many years ago. Forget your altruistic sentiments, nursing is a JOB that pay better than most jobs. Treat nursing like a JOB and your satisfaction will be much better. Alot of your patients will be mean and unappreciative. This is

Couldn't agree more with this. The "saving lives and making a difference" mindset should not be a part of your decision-making. Those mountain-top experiences are rare. The realities of nursing are very clear if you read through some posts here. Look especially for thread titles that read "New Nurse and......." and go on to say things like "..feeling overwhelmed," or "...and wondering if nursing is for me."

Not trying to discourage you but it is essential for you to go into a career change with a clear understanding of the profession. I love my career as a nurse but I didn't always, especially in the first 5 years. My greatest satisfaction now is reflecting back on my career and seeing my growth as a nurse throughout various positions, resulting in my current, final position. I could not function in this position without enduring years of not-so-fun, suck-the-life-out-of-you jobs. Did I help others along the way? Sometimes yes, sometimes no. Did I save anyone's life? I doubt it, at least not in the dramatic TV sense as I guess you're imagining.

So, my advice is that of course nursing might be a great option for you and your son (and no, you will not be working so many hours that you don't see him) as long as your head is not in the clouds and your feet are firmly planted on solid ground.

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What kind of nursing are you looking to get into? I ask this because you mentioned being a single mom. How old is your child? If you are looking at a position that requires 12 hour shifts, child care can be a real issue, unless you have family nearby willing to do a lot of babysitting after school or after daycare closes (or before daycare opens/school starts).

My husband travels a lot, so I had to arrange the childcare. I did it for a year, working around 3 12 hour day shifts, and it was super stressful to make sure I had coverage. Now I work PRN and agency per diem, so I make my own schedule. There were times when I didn't interact with my daughter for 3 days straight. That was hard because she's so young. She was staying with my parents and had a nightmare that me and her dad were going to go to work, disappear, and never come back. She woke up in the middle of the night crying. It was then that I decided the schedule wasn't worth it.

Nursing can be messy but it is also rewarding, it's just usually not a 9-5 job so the schedule, especially when you first start, is usually less than ideal.

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I started pre-nursing when my son was 1 1/2 years old. Nursing school is hard but not impossible. I decided to go through it when I did because in my mind, my son wouldn't remember me not being there all the time. My son, his dad and I are far away from relatives, we did this on our own and managed well. Studying was hard at times, what worked for me was paying attention in class and going to an hour long study session the day before exams. I did homework as soon as my son took a nap or went to sleep.

I graduated a month ago and I will start icu next week. I choose to work nights just like my mom, 27 years of service and was ALWAYS there for homework, mother's day festivals, etc. Was she tired? You bet, but she doesn't regret any of it.

In conclusion, if you can get help from relatives, take it, nursing school is manageable if you use your time well.

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