Help me figure out what to do.

[gothnurse3]

I don't know where to put this...I need a fresh pair of eyes on this problem with no emotional risks.
I am currently a SAHM ( for the last 9 weeks). I am homeschooling my 3 y/o so that he can go to the wonderful school his sisters go to next year. I have an associate's degree in nursing. I worked as a nurse for 16 years...from bedside nursing to management. I NEVER want to work in nursing again. My DH is making enough right now to cover everything if we are thrifty. ( Which we are by nature and we are completely debt free). His job is a contract...it gets renewed on a 15- 18 month bases. Very stable...government. We are "safe" for the next 18 months, because we just signed the contract. I am terrified that this is going to end...and I will be forced to go back to work as a nurse. So, I have some ideas and I just somebody to listen and give me their input. PLEASE. What would you do?

1) Sit tight....pray that it works out. BF graduates from vet school in a year. Could work enough for her to pay the insurance. I would only ask for minimum wage...If it gets REALLY bad, would be forced to go to the $$$--which is back to nursing.

2) Get a general studies degree ( all of my associate's degree credits apply). This would be a safety net. I could do most of this online would take about 18 months. I could teach at some private schools but not my children's. I could add on the a BGS degree by doing the teaching certification which is 30 extra hours while I worked at a school that did not demand certification.

3) Get a degree in education, teach at my children's school...get a 25% discount which goes up every year that you teach. It would probably take me 2-3 years because I would get a biology education degree.

I am grateful for any input. I am worried about this. Most of my friends are struggling and I don't want to burden them with this. I kind of feel like a brat for walking away from a very high paying job when the economy is in the toilet and people need jobs. But, it was killing me... i don't believe in it anymore...it has nothing to do with "taking care of people"....it's all crap.

Thanks so much in advance for listening and any advise will be very appreciated. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

[Carita]

you don't need further education to find a minimum wage job. I say don't worry until your youngest is in school. If your DH loses his job, then nothing will pay or have employment like nursing, but it would be temporary until your DH gets another job. When your younger is in school, then that will free time for you to do what you really WANT.

vet tech school - not sure about the job market, biology teacher is usually better for jobs. Some job markets are asking/preferring teachers to get Master's degrees, so you will want to check to make sure. Do you have a lot of private schools that don't require certification? You are better off with a degree that offers more flexibility IMO.

What about a school nurse? That would give you good hours at least?

[sparklett]

RE: vet tech- as someone who has BTDT, I wouldn't go that route. You are risking your health every time you have to restrain an angry dog or cat. Bites and scratches can be bad. Not only that, but if you are disenchanted with nursing, it won't take long for you to have the same experience about veterinary medicine. It's a noble profession, but you won't believe the number of animals you won't be able to help due to lack of payment, disinterested owners, etc.

Were I you, I would finish a degree on-line.

You should also research other career options that might allow you to utilize your nursing background. Many county governments offer health education programs, lactation education, etc., that require a background in nursing.

[tinyblackdot]

Could you look into being a school nurse?

Or what about working at a clinic?PRN? Or what about CNM? Or working for an OB/GYN?

Become a Lactation Consultant?

Would/could you wait tables or something?

I would say just sit tight, but the realities are that life SUCKS when you dont have enough $$ to go around. I would find something that you could do when your lo are asleep or home with their DF. I liked waiting tables, i only worked 2 or 3 nights a week and brought home an average of $200 a week. It was really nice, and i made quite a few friends.

I hope everything works out for you. Best of luck!