Start part-time RPN now or wait four years and do full time RN

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Hi All;

I'm a week away from starting a part-time practical nursing program that I would graduate from in three years, four months. My end goal is to be a nurse practitioner. I am 39 years old, and currently a stay-at-home mom with four young children and I work part time as a ward clerk.

Here in Ontario, I would have to work for a year before applying to a RPN - to RN bridge program. I would then have to go to university for close to three years full time or five years part time to earn my BScN. After that, I would work for a year as an RN and then apply to undertake my Primary Care Nurse Practioner degree. I would be roughly 49 when done, and would have had to juggle school and raising little ones for ten years.

My other option would be to continue working part-time as a ward clerk (every other weekend) for the next three years, and take distance university courses so I could apply for a two year fast-track RN program in 4 years (my youngest would be in grade one and my oldest would be in grade 5). My hubby and I would have to scrimp and save to come up with the money for me to go to school full-time AND hire a nanny to look after the kids, and household work. Money is very tight, but basically in six years I would have my BScN and be able to bring in decent money. I'm not certain as to what to expect with my kids and going to school full-time - is it realistic to think I could still be a good, attentive mom, run a household and study full-time?

Which path would you choose to reach your destination?

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Hi All;

I'm a week away from starting a part-time practical nursing program that I would graduate from in three years, four months. My end goal is to be a nurse practitioner. I am 39 years old, and currently a stay-at-home mom with four young children and I work part time as a ward clerk.

Here in Ontario, I would have to work for a year before applying to a RPN - to RN bridge program. I would then have to go to university for close to three years full time or five years part time to earn my BScN. After that, I would work for a year as an RN and then apply to undertake my Primary Care Nurse Practioner degree. I would be roughly 49 when done, and would have had to juggle school and raising little ones for ten years.

My other option would be to continue working part-time as a ward clerk (every other weekend) for the next three years, and take distance university courses so I could apply for a two year fast-track RN program in 4 years (my youngest would be in grade one and my oldest would be in grade 5). My hubby and I would have to scrimp and save to come up with the money for me to go to school full-time AND hire a nanny to look after the kids, and household work. Money is very tight, but basically in six years I would have my BScN and be able to bring in decent money. I'm not certain as to what to expect with my kids and going to school full-time - is it realistic to think I could still be a good, attentive mom, run a household and study full-time?

Which path would you choose to reach your destination?

I hear you. I started school when I was 37 and also did an LPN program but took it in the US since it was faster to get in. Then I continued with my RN and am currently working as an RN while still in school part time to finish by BSN. In the US it is easier to afford school since my employer is currently paying for my classes (post RN). I am now 42 and my kids are in 3rd and 5th grade. From my experience even if it is hard I would try to get school over with as FAST as possible. As kids get older they actually get busier with homework, sports, activities etc... and have found it harder to do school as they are older. I only have 2 boys and have found it hard enough. And remember the sooner you get school done the sooner you can start contributing an income. The opportunities out here in the US are really paying off (although I think wages in Canada have also increased dramatically the last 5-10 years also). I am in a weekend program and work Fri-Sun and get paid time and a half for all my shifts (don't think that exists in Canada though) and that allows me to stay involved with my kids during the week and can help them with homework etc... go on field trips and stay involved. I am doing my BSN one class at a time online and just trying to fit it in as best I can without impacting the family too much. I have completed 10 classes out of 15 so hope to finish next year at 43 years of age but in the meantime am earning a very good salary. My husband is actually working less than I am now and between us we are doing OK. It is hard to support two careers full time and with the long working hours of RN's it is nice to have him available for the kids. My husbands flexible schedule is also more agreeable due to some health issues that developed (believe it or not) right when I was in nursing school and chronic condition that makes it hard to have him work in a traditional job, so it seems to work for us for now. Bottom line from my experience if you can possibly get some family support (something we didn't have at all) I think it would be best to get school completed sooner than later. Although, I think your work as a ward clerk is helpful to future nursing (you are used to multi tasking). I worked as ward clerk for about 10 years also prior to nursing so totally know where you are coming from.

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Hi there! I feel your pain...I work fulltime, have young children and studying the pn program p/t at Humber. I am also interested in completing my BScN one day and wonder if I am biting off more than I can handle at times.

I am only able to accomplish all that I have with the support of my husband and without it...I could not do it. He is my sole support system with 3 children and the kids are in a full-time daycare program during the day.

hang in there...if its truly what you want to do...it will work out.

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