Worth the effort going to nursing school?

HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD · Aug 17, 2012

Seems to me that you are undergoing enough stress in your life right now - not a wise idea to try to jump into something else until you get your life settled in to a more normal pattern & establish a secure method of providing ongoing financial support for your daughter.

Looking strictly at the time commitment involved, it is definitely possible to work while attending nursing school - a lot of us have done so. However, it becomes much more difficult if you have to struggle to maintain grades. Just a fact of life, some people have to study a lot more than others. If you don't know what category you fit into yet, I would advise you to take a couple of prerequisite classes and find out... you may surprise yourself.

If you decide to move ahead with nursing, I would suggest you look for a job in an area that has a variety of working hours... so that you could transition to working "off shifts" and weekends while attending classes. This would include a wide variety of options. I went to school with folks who worked as exotic dancers, barmaids, delivery truck driver, UPS warehouse, etc. Flexibility is the key ingredient.

You may also want to look into other healthcare fields such as surgical technology, respiratory therapy, radiology tech, etc. Salaries are comparable and there may not be as much competition for jobs in your area. Best of luck.

patekgtech · Aug 18, 2012

I am a 51 yo male with 2 BS degrees and I started LVN School just for a job until I got another job in my field. I completed the first semester of LVN School with a B average and worked my ass off. I have been accepted into a postgrduate Hematology program and that's why I didn't pursue the 2nd semester. With that out of the way. In this job market, if you have a good job then stick with it. DO NOT QUIT. On finances, again do not quit because you are about to go for the most Hellish ride of your life, especially with a child. I'm a survivor of 2 divorces and each time you financially start over. So hang tight on Nursing School and get through the divorce. Fear of failure is always there. If you don't pass a practical (On Hands Exam) after 2 tries you are out of the program. If you blow a course, you're out of the program. No questions asked. Now with all the other emotional things u r going through you don't need that stress Sword hanging above you. Nursing school is not fast paced, it's in overdrive and you are constantly studying or writing for grades. After your life settles down(aka post divorce and recovery period) then think about a night nursing school or get grants(DOL Has plenty, due to shortage) or loans or scholarships to pay for school(Remember u will be paying child support too). Now dealing with female nursing instructors, they don't reason or think like men so read your books, do your studies and KEEP UR HEAD DOWN AND UR MOUTH SHUT while in school and u will do fine. Don't argue with youe instuctors. Even if u win the fight u lose the battle. If u haven't noticed, women hold grudges and the bad ones will crucify you for arguing. The tests are desiged around female logic and are completely different than what I dealt with in my BS college classes taught by male professors. I had to learn a completely different testing style and l learned from it. You can have a GREAT Career in Nursing, especially being Male. We are wonderful for heavy lifting and they will ask for alot of help! Right now, take one hurdle at a time. Get through that hurdle and then go on to the next hurdle and you will do fine. But if you try to do all or most of it at once then you will CHOKE. Good Luck to you. I'm always around. BTW I would ICU Full Time for 2 yrs and I was trained as a Ground Search ad Rescue Medic. So I have done pt care in a critical care setting. Good Luck and pray on occasion,it helped me! This is my fifth career by the way. So don't be afraid of change, embrace the challenge.

billyboblewis · Aug 18, 2012

I dont think your sex and ethnic background have anything to do with it. Personally I dont really think you are that interested in a career or you would just go for it. Myself I never did well in school but I put everything I had into getting into and getting thru nursing school and I suceeded. I have had some rough times but it is what I chose and I have enjoyed my career. So either you want it or you dont.

lpinkham · Aug 19, 2012

I am 48. I worked my entire life, raised my children, doing a job that I hated. I made good money, but wow did it take so much out of me. I have always wanted to be a nurse so last year I quit that job, and went back to school. BEST decision I have ever made. I have a 4.0 average, great feedback from all of my instructors, and I have never been so happy. Even if it takes me a while to find a job when I get out of school, in my heart, it was worth it. I had the nerve to step off the cliff and I did not fall, I am flying!!~!

Go for it, you might surprise yourself :) Good Luck.

jeanhenry · Aug 28, 2012

Hi all,
Long time lurker first time poster!
I am 43, male latino who is doing fairly well in my current career but feeling like I need to do something that is fulfilling. I have been considering nursing for some time but have been afraid to dip my toe in the water for the following reasons:
1. Age
2. Finances. I'm going through a separation and will have to find my own place soon (wife was never supportive of the idea), provide money for my daughter and have to think of the investment in paying for nursing school.
3. Making time for school and work and wondering how will I ever be able to do clinicals/school and support myself?
4. The fear of failure.
5. The fear of after so much toil and suffering not finding a job after graduation (I see so many graduates who have not found work here on this board for close to a year).
Are there others like myself who want to pursue a career (or second career) in nursing but feel that the odd's are against them?

I also am 43, and one more year left in the program. Nine kids. Don't know how I made it through so far besides hard work, because many obstacles in the way. House fire that destroyed our home. A couple of sick kids out of school for a total of nine weeks, many trips to the emergency room with them and two hospital stays, and chicken pox for all of the kids last semester, but somehow I got through with honors. I recommend getting a part time job (every other weekend for example) as a PCA for anyone who thinks that they might be interested in nursing. Classes don't prepare you for the reality of caring for sick people. If you like that, then go for it. It needs to be a calling, not just a job choice. If you feel that it is, go for it. If I can do it, anyone can.

ElizabetJacobs · Nov 2, 2012

Hey Yall,I wanted to know if anyone knew of any generic pathway bsn nursing programs in NY that are well renouned. I will be graduating HS in June/2013 in the top 15th percentile of my graduating class with a GPA of 3.7 and a 1660 on my SAT.

I am quite befuddled by the entire college process so if someone can help me out that would be superb.

Thanx in advance