Originally Posted by
olliemi2005
I am halfway through an ADN part time program. I have 3 kids a couple years older than yours. I already have a B.A. so we are paying for Nursing school out of pocket. I am a strong student and graduated with honors from University with a Major and double Minor, so I have good academic skills. I also work 24 hrs a week as a Lactation Consultant.
I am absolutely missing out on precious moments and events in the lives of my children. Sometimes it does not seem worth it. My children are precious to me and I treasure each moment, each developmental stage and their true need to have a mom who is present for them. The money we are spending on Nursing school could have afforded us a down payment on a better home, retirement savings, savings for the kids or multiple amazing trips for our family. I have cried many a tear because I deeply miss my children as I drive off to school sometimes. But I continue because I want a lucrative career option for our family. It is a choice and a risk that you take to go into Nursing School.
It sounds like you have big exciting dreams and plans of what you want to do.
I think we differ in that I do have a job I enjoy and I do not have a tangible goal at the end of school.
For over 10 years I have dreamed of becoming a CNM or an NP. However, becoming a CNM is going to take a PhD in Nursing in a couple years. All Advanced Practice Nursing in the US will require a PhD after 2014 according to my first Nursing textbook. This bit of information burst a huge bubble for me. I know that I do not want to sign up for 6 more years of school. I am losing quite enough time with them...plus Nurses are not good at staying married and I have an amazing husband who can only pick up the slack for so long!!
My family said they would babysit and support my efforts with working and school but that really translates to not expecting much time with me and a willingness to listen to me and encourage me when I say it is soooooo hard.
Things that have helped me get above passing grades (my class started with 32 students 12 have failed out already)
1. my husband is incredible and has picked up so much of the love and care of our children
2. getting a reliable babysitter
3. studying for tests outside of my home...Panera, cafes, library
4. giving up social commitments and exercise/fitness goals
5. letting hobbies go such as gardening, cooking, arts, spiritual pursuits etc Nursing school fills all your free time and if you buy into the Nursing philosphy you might find it fulfills some of these needs.
6. when my courses got VERY hard this fall (Pharmacology) I hired a cleaning lady and a lawn guy and I put my 4 year old in full time childcare
- I would have lost my mind and flunked out without these adjustments. Before finals I saw my kids about 4 hrs per week for 2 weeks.
Good luck, sorry to be such a Debbie Downer.
I do enjoy a lot of my Nursing Program but as a pretty crunchy individual it is not bliss and rubs me the wrong way a lot too.