Will it be worth it?

[hopefull1]

I am requesting opinions on my current situation..I have been taking nursing pre-reqs for the past year and a half, and am waiting to find out if I've been accepted into an lvn program at my local cc for the fall. I intended to bridge to RN in a year or two after my daughter graduates high school. My husband told me he would support us (we have a sixteen yr old daughter also) while I was in the program. He decided three weeks ago to leave our marriage instead, and said he would make our house payment as child support. This leaves me responsible for utilities, groceries, gas, etc.

In the meantime a position has opened up at a local state facility paying 30K a year for a managment position, I am qualified for, and I have an interview scheduled.

I do not have any nursing experience, but know that I could be good at it. I have always enjoyed making a difference and helping others. My question is would it be worth it to take out a 10k loan per year, and work weekends to make ends meet while in nursing school, or should I take the solid employement if it's offered? Will it be worth it to make my daughter and I sacrifice for the next year while I become an lvn?

[kool-aide, RN]

There are many avenues for higher earning in nursing. I say go for it.

[Zamora36501]

I know its hard but you can definitely do it. I would say that its best to take the job and try to find a nursing program at night.

[Hygiene Queen]

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[Music in My Heart]

"Will it be worth it?" is a question only you can answer for yourself based on your values and priorities.

That said, state jobs in these parts tend to have much better total compensation than do private-sector jobs and finding nursing work as a new grad can be very challenging.

Personally, I'd be reluctant to turn down a good-paying government job in favor of the uncertainties associated with entering the nursing trade.

[cieloarge]

Take the job and see if you can save enough money to live during nursing school or try to go to school at night.

Nursing is a great field, but it takes time and dedication during the school years.

Best of luck to you.

[hopefull1]

Thanks for all your replies, I hadn't thought about night school...I'll definitely look into area p.m. programs.

[hkrntobe]

Let me provide you with an honest perspective from an single mother. I went to RN school full time and worked part time in a hospital. After graduating in December 2010 and passing the NCLEX in 02/11... I am now in a worse situation financially then when I started school. NO ONE is hiring new grads within 100 mile radios. While I embarked on the journy that is RN school to achieve a personal goal...... I never imagined that it would leave me with a mountain of student loans and no prospects, I would have just stayed in my prior profeshion. When you are a mother, starting a new cureer is 1 part doing something for yourself and 2 parts doing what you feel will help you provide the best possible life for you and your kids. It's not worth all the tears and stress of clinical rotations if you end up unemployed in the end.

I would look at the RN jobs in your area... If they all say that a min. of 1 year experience is required you may want to think twice. God willing the economy will change for the better (and soon!) in this case, employers will be hiring new grads and you can enter clinicals with a little more confidence that it wont all have been a huge waste of time and a decision made on good intentions that ended up backfireing on you. I wish you the best in whatever you decide. If you enter clinicals DON'T BACK OUT. SEE IT THROUGH. Hopefully it will pay off.

[somedaypeds]

Next year, assuming your divorce is final and you file the FAFSA based on your income with your dependent(s), you may qualify for at least some finanical aid. My daughter is a single mother and gets most of her education paid for.

When a parent goes to school, it is a very good teaching opportunity for the children in the family. I talked to my daughters about how important education is and how getting a degree while you are young is easier than doing it at 40 years old when you have family obligations. They saw how much work I put in to get good grades and how much I enjoyed what I was doing.

[fromtheseaRN, BSN, RN]

what you decide with schooling is entirely up to you. even though the economy is bad, i left a good career to pursue nursing, and i'm a single mom, because it's what i want and have always wanted to do. i volunteer at free clinics and make connections in hospitals, these things will hopefully help me in getting a job after i graduate. so, keep those in mind.

2 other things... i don't know where you live, but 30k a year where i live is not enough to raise 2 children and pay all of the bills. secondly, i hope you do not agree to any child support amount before seeking legal counsel. depending on whether you've worked throughout your marriage or been a stay at home mom, and depending on your mortgage amount, a mortgage payment does not seem like an adequate amount for child support.

[Horseshoe, BSN, RN]

I think you've gotten good advice re:nursing education vs. bird in hand employment offer.

But I wanted to add: I sure hope you have a lawyer to represent you and to make sure what your husband is offering is a fair settlement given your history and your childrens' financial/educational needs.

[hopefull1]

I agree completely that we set a good example for our children by going to school. I know watching me work towards this has influenced my daughter in a positive way already. She is taking dual credit courses starting next year while still in high school.

I have already applied and been granted financial aid for the '11-'12 school year, and have qualified for a government loan. I just worry about being able to pay my home bills during school, and about my daughter being on her own to much.

"Somedaypeds" it sounds like you were older when you were going, and are happy with that decision. (I'm 39)