Should I Go Back to School? - Glendale,AZ

I have been in grad school for six years, ever since my daughter was 2! I am now working on my dissertation and will have a PhD within two years. My daughter will be about 11. I feel I am being a role model for her. There is nothing she can't do! Yes, money is tighter than it would be, and sometimes when she's wanted to do something, I have to do school work. But I don't think that's all bad, again, she is seeing me work hard for a big goal. And in the end, we will both benefit.

Good luck to you!

I would love to go back for nursing. I too hold a Bach. Degree in business and want to be in the medical field. My Dr. suggested Ultrasound tech or x-ray. She said they make great money and always are hiring because people get that job and learn other options and move on. If you can I say go for it! We have 2 kids and I work part time. DH works full time and has 5 part time jobs to help make up for his 65% pay cut. I've been pondering this for the last 5 or more years. I wish I would just jump in as I could have been working in the field already. Good luck!

I have 3 kids: 5, 3 and almost 2 and am entering my second semester of Nursing school. It is doable and I don't feel guilty. Maybe that is because my mom watches them and takes them to school and preschool and basically keeps up their normal routine. Part-time is great to get your pre-reqs done. However, I checked out 3 Nursing schools and none of them allowed part-time once you started the actual program. It is 4 days a week, long days. At my school, we do have the option to pick day or night; day hours at the hospital at from 6am-3pm and nights are 3pm-11pm. But choosing to do the actual program (not the pre-reqs to get into the program) part-time was not an option. So just make sure you fully know the whole picture. Maybe by the time your pre-reqs are done, you will be able to commit to full-time. But I say GO FOR IT! You can do it, it is hard yes, because Nursing school is very competitive, but you absolutely can do it and it will be great for your future.
And if you did find a school with part-time even after being accepted into the Nursing program, then that is a double go for it! Nothing should hold you back!

I am also 28 and my kids are 8, 6, and 4. I have one more year on my MBA and I am doubling up my classes to finish earlier. It is totally worth it. My husband and I both work full-time and all 3 of my kids are involved in activities that take up 4 nights a week, 2 for each kid. But it is what I do for ME. This will be MY degree that no one can take from me. I really recommend going for it. It will be a lot of work, but definitely worth it. I did feel guilty and took two years off. I'd be done otherwise. My kids get my school now and don't mind me doing it. It also shows them to work hard and not let anything prevent them from getting post graduate degrees!

Do it! I am 34 and have an almost 9 year old daughter and am now pregnant with #2. I started school last summer. I am only taking half the credits that a full time student would take, which is 2 classes per semester. I also take 1 class in the summer. I take 1 class during the day 2 days a week (my boss is great and allows me to miss a few hours of work to take a class), and 1 class at night 1 day a week. I am going for a Bachelor in Psychology and hopefully turn it into a Masters at some point. It is going to take me a long time, but I am in it for the long haul. I don't think there is ever a time when going to school is a bad decision. It will not only improve your life financially in the future, but will also give you something to be proud of and look forward to. Yes, it does take some time away from your children and family, but in the long run it will benefit all of you. Sometimes I do feel guilty about not getting to spend as much time with my daughter as I could be, but my husband is with her so I have nothing to worry about. I will take a semester off when the baby comes, but then back to the books. You can do it, don't feel guilty!

My answer would be NO. I don't mean to be so negative, but nursing is extremely demanding.

I know several people that have to school for nursing. Are you sure that you've really looked into this? You'll go to school one or two days a week. How many hours would that be a day - 6 to 8? What about homework? What about clinicals?

You say you have reasons for wanting to be an RN, but you don't state what those are? If it's just a secure future, than why nursing? What's attracting you to this field? That are a lot of other professions that will also provide you with a secure future. If it's the health field your interested in, why not look into philbatomy or lab (ultra sound, x-ray, etc) tech.

My parents have been nurses for 35 years. I can tell you that it is a solid career( hospitals, clinics, schools, various agencies all require nurses), however depending on where you live in the country, financially, it might be a struggle. My parents struggled while they lived in Florida when I was growing up. Now, my parents live in Nashville, and both work at Vanderbuilt. They are definetly much better off. So, it depends on where you will be working as a nurse. I just wanted to let you know, as I grew up with both of my parents working hard hours, and not really enjoying their field very much. Now, 35 years later, they are well off, and my mother, last year, was voted Nurse of the Year at Vanderbuilt. Go figure!

It comes in handy when your own children are sick, as you have more of a pull with the hospitals, or doctor's offices.The benefits aren't too bad, either( also depending on where you work) It is a wonderful field, and I wish you much luck. We need more qualified nurses out their .

I don't think you should ever feel guilty about building more of a secure future for your family. I think they will understand, and once they get older, will appreciate it all the more. I know, for me, my parents did all they could to make sure I had everything I needed. They both worked long hours, sometimes on holidays, but in the summers, they took two weeks off work and made sure we had a nice summer vacation. It's the little things that matter more in the end.

If you do it, I will be your Number One Fan!

:)

I have been going to school for about a year now, so far part time, I go in twice a week, and do the rest online, but from fall I will be full time, and my baby goes to full time preschool - scary! Currently I have no income, and my husband doesn't make very much, those are my reasons too.
If you already have a bachelors you can do your nursing degree online in 1 year, going in for just your clinicals - intensive, yes, but you get it done in a quarter of the time.
I have not so far felt any guilt - kids tend to work around you, my kids are similar ages to yours - 8 and 3, they see me study, and I think it gives them perspective that you need to work hard at your school work to succeed. I study probably 4 hours a day, go to class 8 hours a week at the moment. Fall it will be 20 hours a week in class, which will be intense.