My EH's second wife went back to school to get her RN. She all ready had her LPN. She loved it. I did taxes for an RN this year and she made like 60K and she was in her very early 20s so you know she had not been doing it more that a couple of years. One of my good friends from college, her mom went to school for her RN while working part-time and raising 3 daughters - she did one or 2 classes a semester - and she became a surgical nurse and she is still doing it as far as I know and enjoys her job very much. Another good friends's mom is an RN in anastethia (spelling) and she loves her job too. I am pretty sure all of these wonderful mom's had their 4 year degree. I think if you all ready have some college credits like generals you can move along faster than starting from scratch. I have heard that RN is better than LPN cause the RN make the LPNs do the grunt work.

Do what makes you happy. Have you ever looked into being a mid-wife or doula/labor coach? That may be an avenue for you too.

but I do work with them. I'm not exactly sure how they went about to being a nurse, but a lot of them that I know did have children while going to school. They also seem very pleased with what they do. Where I work there's a shortage on nurses, so many of them work a lot of hours. It's great money, but they burn themselves out. And often they get crap from some doctors. :/ But I definitely can see that the nurses I work with are extrememly happy with their jobs.

I can't speak for the nurses, but that is what I see when I work with them. There are ups and downs... but what job doesn't? I think that if your true passion is to help others, then you could do just that for the rest of your life.

Me, personally, I hope to be a physicians assistant.

Be kinder than necessary to everyone! We all have our battles.

I am not sure what state you're in or what you timeline is like, but it doesn't take alot to get into Nursing school-depending on what college experience you have and how long it's been. I am a second semester RN student and it is tough. I did resign my position at the ER I worked in for the last 3 years. Working two 12 hr shifts and doing nursing school was too much, but I also have 4 preeteen to teenage boys.

Basically here in Ca, you have two years of pre-requisites (a lot of science/bilology type classes) then once you get into the program, it is two more years. It really helps to have a good support system. Some of us still work as CNA's part time or have other part time jobs, but there really is no working full-time and doing the nursing program. Ours is 4 days a week and tons of studying. I am very fortunate to have worked in the medical field for the last 5 years-it helps tremendously.

I already had two Associates degrees (one in Human Biology) so that helped too. I have seen two people have babies while in the program (one gave birth during finals week) and so far they are both still here. Many many many of us have kids and we all know that it's tough, but one look at the kids and we know it's worth it. Around my area RN's can start anywhere from $26-34 per hour in a hospital or work at a prison for the state and start at up to $9000 a month. It really does vary. Night shift makes a shift differential so they make a bit more, and you can work one to 5 days a week, either 8, 10 or 12 hour shifts. I would look into it in your area. Just start like you are trying to find a job as an RN online.

For nursing school. It's okay. BF is separating from the military in 8 months, and is undecided on whether to stay here, or go back home. The problem is that different colleges in different states require different prereq's, so I am now taking 2 programs of study for the two states. Basically wasting my time with half the classes. Look up the colleges in your area to see what they require. It's usually two years of prereq's and two years in the program. I already have my associates, so only have to take A&P, then I start the program after upon acceptance. For the ADN, it's two years. I will be working as a CNA during the program, because I have already completed the humanities and natural science courses they require for the ADN, which frees up a lot of homework, study, and class time for me. I'm only missing the core nursing courses. For the BSN, it's another year, with a certain number of credits that has to be taken at a state university.

Colleges like UOP offer Bachelors in Nursing Administration, which is a two year program.

BM is an RN. She completed school while going thru two pregnancies. BF worked three jobs so she didn't have to worry about money. BF's parents watched the kids for her, and their teenaged neighbor babysat every day after she got out of school. She had everything done for her regarding the kids. Dinners cooked, baths ran, carpool to and from school, homework. She only had to concentrate on doing her homework and going to school and working out at the gym. And she made it.

Whatever you decide, you need a really good support system. Tell hubby that it'll be hard for a couple of years, but think about the benefits in the long run! You'll have great financial stability.

I am not a nurse. However my mothers friend years back took a night program--couple classes at a time to reach the same goal you are after. It did take quite sometime but she now makes great money and loves her job.

It is about sticking with it, and keeping you foot in the hospital door. While taking these classes you may want to work in the hospital as close to the department as possible. Like work as a CNA on the maternity ward. It wouldn't pay much but your ready to shwoop in when they need you.

Good luck to you!!

Took all but one pre-req at community college and chose to go to a diploma program because it offered more clinical time than any other school around. The instructors were great but it was tough, and I didn't have kids or work at the time. All my free time was spent doing homework or studying. When I first graduated I had a hard time finding a job because there was a glut of nurses on the market. After the shortage took hold it was easy finding a job. I moved to California and the economy is in the clinker and I can't find a job. I've been a nurse for 12 years. It is hard work, physically, mentally and emotionally, people crap on you (literally and figuratively) but it can also be very rewarding.

Since you have a child you might want to look into a weekend / evening program. It will take longer but it might be better for your situation. Most hospitals offer tuition reimbursement so if you want to further your degree you can. Back east many of the nursing programs were very very competitive and difficult to get a spot. Many people are opting for an associates from community college, which will save you a butt load of money.

I did briefly have a job here in California before I had to quit and leave my jerk of a husband (which I might have to do again), and I was making good money working 4 days a week. If I had worked full time I would have made more money than my H. As for how much I made, lets just say that my salary was more than double what I was making back east.

of Nursing School and I quit my job last semester. It is very demanding for someone who work and has kids...but so many women and men do it. There are two men in my class with newborn babies, one dropped out and the other is going with the flow. There is also a pregnant woman in my class who is hanging in there. I have worked in the medical field for 7 years and the nurses role is sooo diverse and that gave me the incentive to go to school for it. You can write your own ticket because there is so many facets of nursing...and the good pay don't hurt

I'm an RN. I got my BSN through an accelerated program. I already had a degree, then knocked out my prereqs that I had left at a community college, and then did 52 credit hours in a year. Now, I personally, am not a fan of placenta. But, there are programs that can help pay. I would suggest a BSN as a lot of hospitals (depending on where you are) are only hiring BSN's. Some schools and hospitals have programs where you work for a hospital and do all your clinicals at that hospital. They work with your school schedule and some will pay for school. I had a scholarship through a hospital that paid me my salary, I earned all my leave, and kept all my benefits. They also paid up to 490 a credit hour, and I only had to work on school breaks. That was a nice change from working three jobs the first go round. I make about 70 a year working nights. I wouldn't trade my job for anything. Just be realistic about the ups and downs of nursing in general and the specialty you're interested in. And, have a support system.

To every thing there is a season.

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I am an RN, did my RN working part time, by BSN working full time, I live in Canada so the salary wont say much but I have a decent living, I can do overtime with open arms(sometimes I am forced to do overtime) and I have job security.

I am married to anurse who is doind his bachelors, he also works full time and has a kid...he is cranky and tired, but alive...you need good mental support and some financial support id say...lots of my classmates had kids but they also had understanding husbands...

love my job would not trade it for anything ...

some perks:-I can talk about crap (litterally) and eat luch and I dont care
-I always have CRAZY stories to tell people (and they freak out like what ? people really do THAT? or have THIS?)
-I get to be the bright spot in someone's crappy day

Good luck, and from my perspective its worth the effort