RN Career W/ Husband and Children

I really think it sounds like too much. If your life revolves around family, and that is what you love (and I commend you for being a good mommy) then all that you are planning will take away from that. Don't forget it will also take away from you being a good wife. We can't do it all without sacrificing our family. This hits very close to home because I was an at home mom for 7 years. I went back to work in long term health care when my youngest started Kindergarten. I worked around my family's schedule, and thought everything was ok. Of course I missed my kids and husband when I was at work, but my reason for working was because my husband was due to be laid off this December, so I was the backup when that happened. Well, we got some good news that my husband had gotten a permanent position within the company and he would not be getting laid off. When I told my kids that I wouldn't be working full time anymore (just 2 days a week, around family schedule still) the HOORAYS and hugs were all I needed to validate my decision. My point is that you will have plenty of time when your kids are older and in school to start your RN schooling. There will be 8 hours of each day to fill with things like that. And as you said, you have a very supportive husband who will take care of the family financially while you do the school thing. So, before you jump into something that for now is going to leave you frazzled and will leave your family missing you, think about what's most important right now at this very moment. While planning for your future career is great, your kids will only be young once, and you don't want to miss out on that.

Talk to the guidance counselor at the college. She will tell you what the requirements are for each semester. She will tell you how many hours of clinical their school requires. Every school and every state has different guidelines. Also, you will most likely need to apply to nursing school and get accepted before you can attend, talk to the guidance counselor about the steps that you need to take.

I don't think that you would have any trouble starting your pre-reqs at this time. Usually you can go at your own pace when taking pre-reqs. Nursing school requires your full focus and you will need to be dedicated, or you will not succeed. Nursing school is hard work and requires alot of time. The training is intense! Would you want a nurse that went to an easy nursing school take care of you or your family member?

I don't know the details of your co-workers situation, but most nursing schools require more than 1 1/2 days of school and clinical.

The best thing for you to do is sit down with the counselor and have her tell you exactly what you need to do. They are there to answer your questions, help plan your education, and help you succeed. You do not have to be enrolled at the college to talk with a counselor.

Good Luck

ps: Once you fail a nursing course, that is usually it, you are out of the program. you don't get to just take that one class over again. You have to start all over again.

i think it's a lot esp. with two little ones at home who still depend on you for everything. if you were not going to work part-time then i'd say 1-2 classes per semester is fine but if you pan on working up to 30 hrs a week, then taking care of 2 little ones then two classes is a lot. not only will you have to spend time attending the classes (whether online or in campus) but reading, preparing materials, tests, doing homework will take a lot of hours a week for you. in my opinion either choose going back to school or working. both is a hard task to accomplish.

I can tell you this much. In most states the RN program is 2 years long once you are accepted into it. Each semester is a full time schedule, and you graduate at the end of the 2 years as a class. You do not have the option to space out classes or take longer than the 2 years. Does this clear anything up?

I think part of it depends on your definition of "my family is my life". I'm not being wierd, just realistic.

I too looked into nursing school. I have found that the actual nursing classes, not pre-reqs, will be a full course load for 2 yrs for the associates and 4 for the bacc.

Many programs will require you to be away from your kids to do classes, esp. the clinicals - as I understand it.

Then, as a nurse, your career options will likely have you be away from your children - IT'S WORK afterall. Also, it's my understanding that many "new" nurses get "stuck" with the crappiest hours and days. So expect that you'll likely be working evenings, weekends and holidays.

So, back to my original point. What kind of work-life balance do you expect? Are you the "go to person" if your kids are sick? What about days off of school? And then for family holidays?

This is something I seriously needed to consider. I too was thinking of starting classes now, while I'm home with my youngest baby. However, the reality for ME is that I am the stay at home mom first. I need to be here, for now, for all the sick days, 1/2 days of school, long holidays (spring break, christmas break and all those long weekends for teacher institute days) and summer vacation.

I realize lots of people work. And that they send their kids to day care or get a sitter for the holidays. And there's nothing wrong with that. However, have you thought about what your plans are when your kids are in school or daycare? What will your plans be when they are sick? I've learned that when one gets sick, they all do. Which means 1-2 days off of school for one kid, turns into 4-7 days off for all kids total, not to mention my being up all night with the coughing, vomiting, etc. There's no way I'd leave my kids when they are sick, if I didn't have to go to work.

Just something to think about if you haven't already. I am going to wait to go to nursing school until I know I can be a reliable employee without little kids at home.

Best wishes! I'll be curious to see everyone else's posts.

If you are talking about your pre-reqs for the RN program then it depends on which classes you take at the same time. Some are hard and if you take 2 hard courses together you're asking for a ton of stress. Some classes are best done by themselves so you can concentrate solely on that class. Good Luck! The medical field is tons of fun and really rewarding! =)

If you plan on going back to work, I would say that is going to be a lot on your plate. You can do it, though, I'm sure. It also depends on the class - online classes tend to be a little easier because you can read when you want, (usually) take the tests when you want, and do the discussion topics when you want. My husband is in the Army and I don't work, I take 3 classes a term (10 week terms) and I am just about finished... I'll be done this Fall. We don't have babies yet, though. But it keeps me busy with cleaning, errands, laundry, cooking, the dog, etc. If you do take a few classes, you will work yourself into a routine.

It's a lot of work, and being an RN will mean long shifts away from family. Good luck in your decisions!