Tell me I can do this

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Hi there, this is my first post and sorry, it's going to be a long one. LOL. I'm a 35 year old mom of three kids, ages (just turned) 4, 7 and almost 10. I have my undergrad degree from ASU in Journalism and I worked for about 5 years as an editor (healthcare mag) and copywriter (US Airways) before my first son was born in 2006.

I've been fortunate to get a lot of freelance work as a writer/editor for healthcare publications since then. I make around $35-45K a year doing this. That said, I'm looking ahead to when all my kids are in school full-time (it's about 2 years from now, my daughter is doing 3 y/o preschool this year, 4K next and full day 5K after that). While working from home has been great, I'm always living in fear that my work will dry up (95 percent is from one client, from one company).

The only other thing I have ever envisioned myself doing is being a lactation consultant (I worked at a breastfeeding resource center for a couple years) and/or postpartum nurse. I think those women do such a special job and for many reasons feel I would love doing this.

I recently began seriously looking into programs that could get me there. At first I looked at online accel options for second-degree students, but they are a lot of money and require you to quit your job, which we couldn't afford for me to do. I'm now considering attending my local community college, which has an RN program. The majority of the classes are either in my small town (literally, I could walk to class) at my local hospital or online, until you get to your last two semesters (some clinicals are about 40 minutes away).

In total, it would cost me about $11K and take me 5 years. Yes, 5. This is in part because I am only taking classes when my kids are at school or my husband is home to watch them.

I've literally been thinking about this day and night for weeks now. Can I manage this with my kids and my writing work...for five years? (I don't want to give up my writing work - if it's still available, I'd like to write and nurse part-time while my kids are young). I am completely stressed about this. I know I'm smart - 29 ACT and 3.5 cum. GPA - but I still have a ton of anxiety about the science pre-reqs. I don't want to take even one class and spend the money if I'm not going to see this through.

Also, as much as I can see myself in this role to some extent, I have been home, with babies for 10 years. It's hard to see myself doing anything else! I don't really know what question I have, but I'd love to hear your thoughts on anything I've posted here and any insight you can provide. I'd also love to post my schedule so you guys can tell me if you think it's reasonable!

Thank you in advance! This forum has been so helpful!

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Nursing school requires a lot of studying and reading outside of school-time. It's not just the theory, but the clinical aspect of it as well especially those dreaded care plans. It sounds to me like you have a lot on your schedule right now, but it all depends if you can manage to balance your schedule with school, work, and family. Nursing school isn't about whether you are smart, it's about learning how to manage time, studying appropriately, and gaining enough clinical experience so you can become a safe and competent nurse at an entry level. It also sounds like you want to do maternity nursing; you have passion for it, but it is also considered a specialty area. However, before you focus on this specialty area, you also have to focus on Medical-Surgical Nursing, which is a requirement for everyone to go through in nursing school. There are other specialty areas such as Pediatrics, Oncology, Psychiatric, etc.

If you are truly considering about joining nursing school, make sure you think about it carefully and know that you have enough time to dedicate for theory and clinical. If you have any questions, feel free to ask and I shall do my best to answer them.

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Specializes in NICU, RNC.

Honestly, the first 3 years of pre-reqs and gen-ed will be a breeze, especially if you can take some of the non-sciences online. When I went back, my kids were 4, 7, and 9, and I continued to work 30 hours per week, took 2-4 classes at a time, and still had time to work out and spend time with family, and it was not a big deal.

It's the actual nursing school that will be rough. For my program, it takes up about 60 hours per week between class, clinic, clinical paperwork, homework, projects, skills lab hours, studying. I had to quit my job, I don't have time to workout, watch tv, or read a book, and family time has to be scheduled in ahead of time. The first semester, my daughter (6) would cry and say how much she missed me. The guilt was unreal. But, like my kids, yours will be older by then. They will understand why you're having to make those sacrifices and that it's temporary. And they will be old enough to be able to scrounge up some dinner for themselves, or take on extra chores, or do their homework independently. I barely have to clean anymore, my kids have gotten so well-trained, lol.

I had the same doubts as you when I got started. It's a huge commitment, and if you're not entirely sure it's for you, then it's scary. But that first A&P class I took, all doubts were erased. It was the most fascinating thing ever, and I've been crazy passionate about nursing ever since. If you can't shake the idea, then just enroll in 1 class and see how you feel about it.

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Thank you for your input! Here is my schedule...I have tried to space out classes so it wouldn't be too intense for too long! I'd love your thoughts on it!

Nursing Track

Briar in preschool, Tues. and Th. morning *all courses in Bonduel, Shawano or online

Fall 2016

General Chemistry in Bonduel (Mon., Wed. 5-8 p.m.)

Spring 2017

Developmental Psych (Mon. 1-4 p.m. or online)

Summer 2017

CNA Summer (MWF 3-9 p.m. mid-July to mid-Aug.)

Briar in 4K mornings *all courses in Shawano

Fall 2017

Intro to Biochemistry (Wed. 1:30-4:20 p.m., Fri. 12:30-2:20 p.m.) (Danielle watches Briar?)

BLS Heart Saver for Healthcare Providers (one night)

*Complete all health forms, background checks, update checklist for Spring 2019 program.

Spring 2018

General Anatomy and Physiology, (Mon. and Wed. 12:30-3 p.m.)

Summer 2018

(If accepted into program for spring 2018, take a nursing course in Shawano or online)

Briar in Full-Day 5K *all courses in Shawano

Fall 2018

Microbiology (Tues., 9 a.m. to 11:40 a.m. and Thurs., 2:30-4:20 p.m.)

Advanced Anatomy and Physiology (Tuesday, 4:30-9:30 p.m.)

Spring 2019

Nursing Fundamentals (online)

Nursing Skills (Tues. 8:30-11:20 a.m.)

Nursing Intro to Clinical Practice (Th. and Fri. - 6 hours, day or evening, second half semester only) (Is this one day or two? In Shawano?)

Summer 2019

Nursing Pharmacology (online)

Briar in First Grade

Fall 2019 *all courses in Shawano

Nursing Health Alterations (Mon. and Wed. 8:30-11:20 a.m. or online)

Nursing Health Promotion (Tues. 5:30-8:20 p.m. or online)

Nursing Clinical Care Across Lifespan (Th/Fri 6:45 a.m.-12:45 p.m.) (first half of semester in Green Bay)(Is this both mornings? Or just one?)

Nursing Intro to Clinical Care Mgmt (Th/Fri 6:45 a.m.-12:45 p.m.) (second half of semester in Shawano)

****************** Could Stop Here and Take NCLEX – LPN***********************

J-Session Spring 2020 (Jan. 9-27) *all courses in Green Bay or online

Nursing Advanced Skills (M,W,F 10:30-12:20)

Spring 2020

Nursing Complex Health Alt. 1 (online)

Nursing Mental Health Common Concepts (online)

Nursing Intermediate Clinical Practice (Tues/Wed 6 hours, day or evening, 11 weeks) (both or one?)

Summer 2020

(Could see if you could take an online course if available/desired.)

Briar in Second Grade

Fall 2020 *all courses in Green Bay or online

Nursing Complex Health Alt 2 (online) (or Wed. 8:30-11:20 a.m.)

Nursing Management and Professional Concepts (online) (or Wed. 11:30-1:20 p.m.)

Nursing Advanced Clinical Practice (Thursday 8 hours, Friday 8 hours - first 7 weeks only)

Spring 2021 *could be Shawano or Green Bay

Clinical Transition - 90 hours with preceptor

***************************GRADUATE/Take NCLEX**************************

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I also like the idea that I could stop and get my LPN if it was too much, and continue later on (or not! Maybe I'd be happy with LPN?) or I could continue on to get my BSN online later - (I've already spoken with a nursing advisor at UWGB's BSN at Home program. I'd only need 10 online nursing courses to complete my BSN since I have my undergrad.

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Specializes in NICU, RNC.

Not knowing how the nursing program that you are looking at works, I really can't comment on it. For our program, you had to have all sciences completed before you could even apply to the nursing program, then once you are in the program, there is no online option at all, and they give you your schedule, you have no choice in the matter. Whereas the schedule you are posting appears to have a large online component with a lot of flexibility. Not sure if you're making assumptions on how it works or if the Allied Health Program gave you that info?

Also, the limited clinical hours would concern me. Is that standard in your area to have such a limited clinical component?

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I am also 35 and have three kids of similar ages. I don't work outside the home at all though. Anything is doable if you are very organized and focused. I have a very hard time focusing on studying at night. I study during the day while I am not in class and my kids are still at school/daycare. I read while sitting outside with them. After 9 I turn into mush. I can study for an hour or so if there is a big test but most of the time I use my breaks/free day (we usually have one weekday day off a week).

Have you already been accepted? I have a previous BA as well and I had a very hard time adjusting to A&P and Organic Chem. Nursing classes are actually much easier for me. Luckily I passed my prereqs (I did get a C+ in organic chem but I'd been accepted already by then).

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Sorry I reread and see you haven't applied to nursing schools yet. I say give A&P a try and see how that goes.

My school allowed us to apply with 1-2 prereqs still in process.

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I think you can do it. You seem like a super-planner. I'm also a mom of 3, but I'm older than you and my kids are older than yours. I started taking pre-reqs 6 years ago (that kind of makes me want to cry) and I am finally starting actual nursing school next month. I took one class at a time, got straight A's, worked 3 days a week, and took care of my kids. I will continue to work while in school, which sounds terrifying, but I have to. You seem very organized and this will certainly benefit you! Go for it!

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Take you perquisites and when you are almost done then apply to nursing school. This will get you in the swing of going back to school while having kids and will give your kids more time to get further along in school. When you are accepted into nursing school you can put all of your focus on the core nursing classes and not have to worry about also juggling the prereqs. These are the vital classes if you plan to get your associates degree and then maybe go on to your bachelors. The bachelors degree is very easy just time consuming at times. If your local program is a bachelors program only I would still do it. Start now, seriously .....go sign up for classes now. Time is ticking. Don't overload yourself right now but get going so when your kids are a little older you can dive into the nursing classes. When your kids are adults you will have a full career and will be at the point of thinking about going back for your masters degree. Go sign up for your Fall prerequisites right now. You seem to want this but are a little afraid, so was I. Just do it and move forward. If you hate it you will find out quickly and it wont be wasted classes or time, the result will be you will not live with the regret of "what if". Go. And thank me later. :cheeky:

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It's a long haul for sure. It took me 3 years to do the pre reqs for my lpn to RN program because I worked full time and have three kids. I did a lot online but its been hard, dedicated work. I'm due to graduate in April so a total of 4 years to get my associates. I took two classes at a time and had a ore req gpa of 3.96. I do not have extra time, it was kids, work, school repeat. I had to rely heavily on my husband, who has done great, to pick up the slack when I wasn't home. It has taken a lot of teamwork. I will say because I took longer to do my pre reqs now that I'm in the program I only have core nursing classes which is great. I also took my bachelor pre reqs (graduating with an associates at first) so I can complete my BSN online in 9 months if I choose to. Time management and self discipline is key but if you want it, get started now!

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It seems like a long time, but it goes by fairly quickly. I say if it's something you want, go for it. I have two young kids and it has been tough but not crazy. I still have a life and do really well in my classes. I actually feel at an advantage to some of the younger childless students. I don't have the young single social life pulling me away from my studies.

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