Tell me about nursing school...

Published

Lately I have seriously been considering going back to school for nursing. I have been in contact with the local colleges here in town, and am really excited about it. I would love to help people everyday, and think I would make a decent nurse. I just would like to know what I am getting myself into.

I have a few prerequisites to take, since I have a business degree, and don't have much for chemistry/biology etc. So, it will be an pretty quiet start, but I'm sure it gets intense. Is it possible to have a family and go to school? My husband and I are planning on starting a family, but don't know if going back to school right now is the best timing. My school offers online classes, and a part time program as well, so that is always an option. I also have a pretty sweet job now, it is just not something I think I can see myself doing forever, and have been obsessed with nursing for a while now (and wanted to be a PA shortly before I graduated the first time, but figured it was too late to change).

So, what is nursing school like? How intense is it? I've talked to the school, but would like to hear it straight from all of you. Do you have time for small children, or your spouse? What is the class load like? And for those of you who are already nurses, do you like it? Do you have family time? How long did it take you to find a job after graduation... whether you are an LPN, RN or even CNA?

Any information is helpful! Thanks!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

You might get a better answer to your question in the general nursing student forum, as most of those folks are already in the program, but I will tell you what I know...

Ive seen single mothers who work part time and they make it through the program...Ive also seen people who still live at home, dont have to work, and not make it through.

It depends on your determination. Nursing school is very demanding. If you honestly want to go back to school could you put off on having children for a couple years? Im sure it would be much easier without being a parent, but again, I've seen it done...

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Thanks, I'll post it there too.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I decided that I wanted to be a nurse when my youngest was about five months. I had some pre-reqs and core classes to take (my ADN does not enroll until you are done with all of them). I enrolled for classes and started the next term - which happened to not be for a few months. I now have two terms behind me (a semester and a summer) and so far, so good. I am going full time (15 credits last semester, 17 in the spring) and I also work one day per week and volunteer twice per week (for a total of about 8 hours) at the hospital. My son is now 15 months old and doing great with the transition. He loves his sitter (as does my three year old). I believe in extended nursing and like the idea of child led weaning, though I did wean my daughter when she was 31 months b/c she was only biting. I'm still nursing my son and it has not affected our nursing relationship in any way. We're very bonded. :)

Obviously, some things do have to fall by the wayside or you'll need a good support network. I love to sew and craft, but only managed to sew a few times this semester - I'm now a sewing maniac trying to finish up Christmas gifts, lol! Sometimes the dishes sit overnight and I seem to always have laundry that needs put away. But my kids are happy and healthy and I'm doing well in my classes. My husband is laid off right now, but he's also going to school full time, so I do have some support, but he has his own deadlines too. I did manage a 4.0 for fall semester, so you can at least handle getting all your required core and pre-req classes out of the way, while still having young kids!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Thank you Jenny, I enjoyed hearing your story, and to know that it is not impossible.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion