Hello,

I just got accepted to a nursing program for Jan 2010. I need some feedback and hope that you can help me.  I am married with three children, ages 10, 4, and 20 mos. Due to the economy, my husband had to switch careers and is making the third of what he used to make so things are tight financially for us. I recently found a job myself and will start on Nov. 10th.

Today I had my nursing orientation and signed up for my 1st term which includes 3 nursing classes and 1 math class. (I have all my academics done except for a math class that is a requirement for this school as I am a state transfer student.)

Here is my dilemma:   I need income from my new job which is a day job as are my classes but am scared to death to try and work a 30 hr week plus all the class work, clinical and homework.  I have 3 kids to tuck in each night and oversee my 10 yr old 's  homework. I am not sure what to do. I asked the counsler today about going P/T to school and she said it would only eliminate 1 nursing class and I could take the math class over the summer. Let me be clear-- I suck at math. I can do it, but it takes up a lot of my time. I am very worried about that darn class!

Would you quit a job that took you over 6 mos to find  to make family llife easier?  I am in a new state, living around my husband's family and very stressed out with or financial situation. I think I need some subjective opinions so please fire away!

TIA!

Nursing takes a lot of time and study, but there are many people who have worked, raised children and gone to school full time. The only way you will know if you can do it is to try. If you try and still can not do it, at least you gave it a shot. Not to try will make you second guess yourself forever.

How many nursing grants or scholarships have you applied for?  There is a government program for money for nursing students.  Here are other sources,

• AACN Educational Advancement Scholarship - BSN Completion — $1500 awarded each year to 50-100 juniors and seniors enrolled in BSN accredited nursing program.



• AQHF Education or Nursing Scholarship — $10000 to 1 awarded each year to freshman pursuing education or nursing degree.



• Chances Scholarship Program — Up to $16,000 awarded each year to college student enrolled in nursing program.



• Foundation of the National Student Nurses Association General Scholarships — $1000 to $5000 awarded each year to 50-100 to college students enrolled in nursing program .



• National Nursing Scholarship — $250 awarded each year for up to 4 college students enrolled in nursing program.



• Neuroscience Nursing Foundation Scholarship — $1500 awarded each year to varied number of undergraduate students enrolled in NLN accredited school.



• Phoebe Pember Memorial Scholarship — $800 to $1000 awarded each year to 1-2 undergraduate college students enrolled in nursing program.

Additionally if you are serious about nursing school you and your husband have hopefully agreed on no more shildren at least until you are done school.  Pregnancy and nursing school do not mix. You will have much less time for family and they will have to respect your time to study and be away from home.  You will need a family committment to be frugal and work together.. I hope this is a two year program you are talking about so you will only be in school for 2 years.

Take math in summer school if that is not your best subject,, you will need to focus on that very carefully.  Realize you will use math in nursing so it is best to learn it this time around.