Wanting to Go Back to School

Look into online schools. That would be a start. I have an Associates in Business that I have recieved from an online school. I went AIU online. You have two assignemnts for each class that has to be done before Sunday the next weekend. They give you each class for 5 weeks and no more then two classes at a time, so that means no more then 4 assignments in a week. You have books and an information online that will help you get through it. Its an option that could help so look into it!!! They also help you with FASA that helps get the loans. Hope this helps.

My friend is taking all of her classes on line right now and then will later go to osu for the rest.She is a single mom of 1 and works full time.She is only 20 years old, if she can do it you can too.

Keep in mind that the retirement age in 20 years or more will be 75. I'm imagining you're pretty young, so you would have 35 years or so to be trained and practice if you wait until your family is in place and more grown. Good luck.

PS I returned to school when I was 52 years old - the best professional decision I ever made!

Hi Victoria! I think I can help you out with this one. I am an RN with three kids. I graduated from nursing school when I was 7-1/2 month pregnant with my first baby who is now 11. I took my Boards ten days before my due date -- thank goodness, because that night, I went into labor and had a beautiful baby boy! When he was about 4 months old, I felt obligated to put my degree to work, so I got a part-time supervising nurse position working two days a week and every other weekend. No big deal. Then I got pregnant with my second baby who is now 10. Pregnancy and nursing aren't a good mix, simply because you are on your feet CONSTANTLY, and can't lift patients (or at least you shouldn't). Not to mention sleepless nights with your babies and then trying to go to work and not make any medication errors -- not a good thing. That's a job where you have to be 100% or just stay home. I was so unbelievably thankful to have finished nursing school prior to having the boys, I can't even tell you. Nursing school is tough. I highly doubt that you will be able to work full-time and attend nursing school, especially with a 12 week old baby. You need to be dedicated and able to spend a lot of time in class, at clinicals, and even more time studying. I used to sit through a five hour advanced med/surg class taking notes and recording it at the same time. I would come home and type out all of my notes as I listened to the tape of the class again to be sure I didn't miss anything. That generally added another three hours to my day. If I were you, I would enjoy your family while you can. They are only young once, and nursing isn't going anywhere. Take the pre-requisite classes and get them over with if you want to, but I wouldn't take any nursing classes until you are able to devote the time and energy that you need to complete them so you don't have to re-take anything. Re-taking classes takes time and money, so think it through before you make any decisions. Enjoy every minute you can with your baby, because before you know it, that precious little thing will be in school and you will have more time for yourself to go to college. As a matter of fact, I was offered a nursing job recently, but my husband really wanted me to continue to stay home with the boys. Before I knew it, I was pregnant with our baby girl who is now 7 months, and I couldn't be happier! I will be a nurse forever, but my kids will only be young for a short time. There will be plenty of patients for me to take care of after I raise my kids! Good luck with your decision!

My sister-in-law just completed her assc. under the same circumstances. Most schools now have online programs now that you can use to do your general courses. Nursing school is tough, like any college program, but if you ask they will usually work with you on some things. If this is your dream there is a away for you to achieve it now and not put your family on hold. It will be tough but can be done.

hey victoria

I know what you mean i have been in the medical feild since i was 17 and now am 22 and when u need to be in school u do have to be there then u have to have an above avg 70 or higher to pass and then pass a final test after all the course work maybe you can go for lpn frist then go for rn that way you will be moking more mony and might not hav to work to hard( like at a vocational school) but nrsing school 12week baby and a full time job will not work in the way best for you and your famil and second why cant your husband do more to help cook clean what every they way u layed it out seems like you runnig the who show but i dont know for sure since u didnt say but he should be more supportive and yall both made the baby and he should have more hands on if he dosnt already but i think you should get what you can out the way now if u wait for all the kids get to the age you want you will have gotten older to so dont wait to long good luck and stay blessed

Victoria,

I have gone through the exact same thing. I decided to go back to school for nursing but I work full time and have a family. I went to Cincinnati State and took the prerequisite classes one at time for 3 years until I had them all finished. I picked Cincinnati State because they were the only college at the time that offered evening nursing classes. I was able to do this and have my baby in between. I went to class one or two nights a week. After that I was placed on the waiting list for the technical sequence. I was just notified that it was my turn to start the technical classes and I have been waiting for almost 2 years. The problem is that you have to take all of the classes together so I would be going at least 4 nights a week from 3pm to 11pm. I can't work full time, have a family and take the classes. The head of the nursing program told me that you cannot work more than 24 hours a week a take the nursing classes so I would have to drop back to part time at my work. My husband is loosing his job and cannot find another one so I cannot cut my hours back so I had to turn down my spot on the list. I have another chance to take the classes in February. I have alot of information about Cincinnati State and the nursing program so you can message me directly if you want more information.

I think you already HAVE your answer. If you have a 12 week old, how do you think you're going to do both AND handle having other children? Maybe it's timing, maybe you should think about some sort of course ONLINE that would count toward what you want or even something related in the medical field.

Victoria-
In the beginning, you can take one or two classes at a time. You will be fine. Your hubby will need to start helping you too. When you are in your last year, you do a lot of work in the hospitals learning the different areas to see where you fit. But right now in the beginning, you are fine to take it at a slow pace. As your 12 week old gets older, it will get easier and not be so overwhelming. You may want to put off another baby until the middle of you last year ( wink wink) But this is possible and good for you, family and your child. DO NOT allow others to bring you down. If this is what you want go for it.

Good Morning:

Two things to consider: 1. Talk to all the program directors in your local area. Voice your time concerns and general education requirements with them. Check out the hospital programs, four college programs, and community college programs.

2. Also, your community may offer a Practical Nursing Program. You could use this as a springboard into the RN field at a later date. I heard of this being done. Nursing is the one profession that where you can work part time and make full time money.

3. Having a family, working full time and going to school may leave you physically shot. I know, I did it. I am overweight now because I sat full time at work, in classes and doing mounds of homework. That included my own and helping my kids (two girls). I achieved a Master's Degree recently at age 57, but at a major price of a body that his gone to the dogs. So, the sooner you start, get committed, the better. Yes, it is important to be intellectually true to yourself and it is what Maslow called "Self Actualization". Good Luck. P. H.

Hello~ My suggestion is to go back to school now. Take your gen ed courses one at a time. They stay good on your record for years and years. Then get on the waiting list and take your nursing classes when available, when you can. If you wait to do everything you may not finish for 10 years, since the waiting lists are so long now a days for nursing schools.

about me. 26 yo, married to a great guy for 2 years, expecting our first little one in july. Working as an RN.

i would go ahead and apply & wait to get accepted 1st. then take one or two prerequisit courses at a time to get them done, after taht you can apply to the nursing program. alot of pre-req. courses are offered online now, like english, math, and some science courses. ivy tech & indiana tech have quite a few, so you can stay home with your family. i work part time at an assisted living home & have 2 kids and it's the gas going back & forth to lafayatte that would get me. you also have to take a CNA course(mandatory in indiana) 1st before you can go for your RN. if you need any help, just hollar at me. i'll do the best i can. good luck!!

I would go to the school and talk to one of the counselors, you could probably begin your courses that are not nursing courses. Then when you do get into the nursing program you would only have your "nursing classes" to take making your load a little lighter.

I would go to the school before getting discouraged, I am sure there is a way for you to complete the nursing program and stay close to your family plan.

I do however advise you to go to school before having two more childre, I have three children 6,4,and 14mos. I have been trying to figure out how I could go back to school to finish my bachelors degree. There is just not enough time and the older your children get and the more you have, you find that between soccer, tee-ball, gymnastics, and dance class there is no time for you.

Hope this helps!!!!

A.

My mom went to nursing school one class at a time. She was a single mom with 2 girls and worked full time. It took her 6 years to get her RN. It is possible to complete nursing school 1 class at a time.

hello...
I think many of us can relate! After going to school part-time for a few years, and one year full time I came to the point when I had to do student-teaching. Which meant 5 days a week full time. We both agreed our family was our number one priority. We decided to add to our family one last time (due in Dec.) before I would finish school. My main motivation was the thought of my kids getting older and going to school. They are only so little once.

Good luck with your decision. We all know its like a juggling act for moms these days!

Take care.

Have you decided the school you want to attend? At this point, you sound like you are looking for information. If so, contact them and ask THEM what is expected, if you can take time off, etc.

I recently completed my Master's online through Walden University while working full-time. I have two sons, now 12 and 6. Most of the students in my classes had little kids at home. You'll have to figure out what might work for you.

HI Victoria,

I think it's wonderful that you would like to pursue your dreams. Too many times people let everyday life get in the way and not fulfill their dreams. But, you could start by asking yourself, "What is most important to me?"

God has a plan for you...to give you hope and a future!

Think Big!
D.

I vote: Go for your dreams. I worked full time with two kids and took one or two classes per semester to become a registered dietitian. Some sacrifices were made, and it took a long time, but it was worth it. If you start, you can always take a break for a semester or two if things get too hard or you have another child. I had a child at the beginning of the semester twice, and both work and instructors were understanding. With nursing there are clinicals that take some time, but most programs are willing to work with non-traditional students.
Good luck! You CAN make this work with some careful planning and effort.

You could get all of your general course work out of the way...all your english, psych, soc, ect. especiall while you were on the waiting list. and you could do it a class or so at a time very easily. The sciences might have an "expiration" so they may need to be taken close to the nursing courses, but I dont remember for sure. But when you get into the nursing program you are going to need to be able to take a few classes at the same time, it is required. You will also have your clinicals which are about 6-8 hours once a week per semester. I was in the nursing program when I had my first son, and my daughter. It was a lot to handle, and unfortunately I did not graduate. It is a very demanding program requiring a lot of time in and out of classes. I dont want to discourage you though, many have done it and succeeded. I suggest setting up an appointment with the nursing advisor to go over the program and requirements. They will be able to lay out your schedule for you as far out in the future as you want to see pretty much. You will be able to get a good feel for what it would be like.
Good Luck!!

I'm in school right now for nursing at IBC. I go fulltime but they do have a lot of students that go parttime also. a friend of mine there only takes 2 classes a day & works & raises her 4yo son. IBC also has online classes that you could do at your own pace if that'd work better for you. my husband is a truck driver so at times, I feel like a single parent but I still am able to keep up with the kids, schoolwork & housework. granted at times I don't have much of a social life, but I do still see my kids so its worth it to me.

I tend to agree with the ieda of taking aclas or two to get you general ed and electives done and over with so that once an opening comes for the actual nursing program,you will be able to take that on.Look to see if the scholl offers a day-care center or other options for child care.
My one regret has always been that I put off my education until now.I am currently at one of those career colleges taking classes for medical assisting and will eventually tranfer into Sinclair(for starters)to get my nursing degree.My best of wishes for you and your family. Sincerely--R.

Speaking from experience, when you are in the nursing program full time you will eat, breathe, sleep, and drink nursing. My youngest daughter was 2 when I started and when I was done I was still telling people she was 2 when she was really 4. I am not telling you to not go because I think going into nursing is great. We have a shortage of nurses everywhere. I would recommend taking your pre-req. classes one or two at a time and you will be suprised at how quickly you will get into the program. If you have great support then you could add to your family and go to school but your hubby will have to really help out when you get into the nursing program. I say go for it because it is worth it. Hope this helps.

Nursing school, from my experience, is pretty much all or nothing. I went to college with my son, was in when I had him, and just recently graduated with my Masters 5 years later. I could not have done it without my family support system. I am a single mom and moved back in with my parents in order to complete the program. I did go to school with many married moms, out of a class of 20, 5 of the women were marriend with children. They would tell you that my house isn't always as clean as I want it, my kids tell me they miss me, and I have to settle on my husbands cooking but I'm glad I'm doing this for myself. They all made it, 3 of them were tied for the top of our class. I won't tell you it's easy, I won't say you won't be stressed out and cry some nights, but I will tell you that it is completely 100% worth it. I love my job, I love my schedule and I love the time I have now with my son. He knows how important school is to succeed in life because of all he's gone through. He loves homework b/c I showed him homework is important. It's not easy, it will be harder as you add kids, but it's worth it!

At this point in time it sounds like it would be easier to finish your family first. You also may speak to your boss about possibly cutting back to part time and see if you could find out whether or not your babysitter could watch your baby while you attend school and help around the house. If this doesn't work then like I said I would wait until you are done completing your family. Good luck and I hope everything works out for you!
D.

I am 31 and have been married for almost 12 yrs. My husband and I have 3 boys ages 10,7 and 4. He works full time as a diesel mechanic and I work part time doing construction with a friend of ours who has his own business.

I admire your desire to go back to school and to obtain a degree in nursing. You might want to start out talking to the school you want to attend and find out how it is set up and what the demands are going to be.
Getting the general courses out of the way is a great idea. You may find out you can do some of them online and transfer the credits to the school of your choice when you are ready to get down to the nitty gritty.
P. R

Dear Victoria,
Can you take the general courses online so you can be at home and then take your nursing classes later?

L. M.

Hello Victoria
I just wanted to let you know that I am in my mid thirties and have 2 children ages 12 and almost 3 years old. I started classes about a year ago and it is the best thing I have done. I am fortunate enough that I do not have to work so I have been taking 2 or three classes at a time. Not sure where you will be going to school, but most have a waiting list 2 years. (I am attending Lakeland CC). I have been told that you will be attending full time once into the nursing program. (7-3).
Follow your heart and it will take you on a great adventures.
T.

Most colleges offer online classes for your prerequesits that are pretty easy since you do not have an instructor.With online classes you can pretty much work at your own pace as well. I just graduated nursing school with an 11 month old. It is hard, but as long as you have a great support group that will help you with the baby you should be ok.I would advise not to try and have another baby until you get out of school because nursing school is very fast pace and you cannot afford to miss any class.