Going back to school

MoFree · July 2014

Is anyone in school, in addition to working and raising a family? How does that work out in terms of meeting both school and family needs?

I am asking because I am currently investigating DNP programs. When I became a nurse practitioner a master's degree was required. However, the criteria have changed and a doctoral level degree is now the norm. Although I am grandfathered in, a doctoral degree will afford more professional opportunities and I will be taken more seriously.

DH and I discussed that I would either stop working or work only part time when in school. I now need to research different programs, decide whether to do it online or in person, and get everything in order. Assuming I am admitted I would start either January or September 2015. Something to look forward to and there is life beyond IF.

TJ1979 · July 2014

I don't have experience here but wanted to encourage you to go for it! I found online classes to actually be more time consuming for me. But I also probably learned more from them. I think going back to school would be a great idea, good luck with your decision!

Robeano · July 2014

Also no experience, but you seem like somebody who is driven and focused so I think online would work for you. I've seen friends procrastinate a lot with online, so you gotta be on the ball. I think this is a wonderful decision for you!

sunflowermama42212 · July 2014

Go for it! I go to school online. You definitely have to be more disciplined to take online courses because it is easy to put things off but if your driven (which you seem!) you should do great! There is so much more freedom with online courses. I started off with a couple courses to see if I would like it, so maybe try a course or two so you don't have so much pressure while your figuring out the transition. GL!

Ruthie04 · July 2014

No experience, but I think this is a wonderful post!! I sincerely hope you are able to make things work!

itsmevkb · July 2014

I haven't done this but I supported my husband for around 9 years while he got his masters and then PhD. During that time we got married, bought a fixer-upper, and had a bunch of kids. I'll be honest, there was times when it was really, really hard on both of us. He sort of did the stay-at-home dad thing with our first while working part-time overnights at a radio station and then we realized that just wasn't working. It was too difficult for him to get his school work done while taking care of Shannon so at some point we got a babysitter for him and have stuck with that arrangement.

He worked at least part-time the entire time he was in school and also was only in school part-time for some of those years so it really seemed to stretch out. Also, on-line was not an option and there were some long commutes involved once he was in the PhD program since no school in our city offered one in his area.

I think how hard it ends up being depends a lot on how hard the program is and then also just on really good planning and support. It's certainly doable though.

imoverit · July 2014

Good for you Mo!! Do it!!

MJC1116 · July 2014

I don't have any experience with this myself, but DH went back to get his MBA when DD was about to turn 2. He was still working full time. Looking back, I can't believe we all made it -- it was difficult compared to how things are now. But living through it, we just did what we had to do to make it work. And now life is so much more enjoyable! All of the hard work paid off. Good luck to you! I am sure you'll find a way to make it work in all areas!

Jenny935 · July 2014

That sounds exciting! I finished my school during the IF years to keep me busy, but my two cents to the online/in person classes conversation is this. I feel like the online ones had a lot more work, but the in person ones required a lot more time in the car. I think that now that I have DS, I would probably choose online for the classes I could, because I could do the work after bedtime rather than be commuting while my family is doing stuff without me. Good luck with whatever you decide!!

jessica_gail2 · July 2014

So exciting!!!! You got this!

mdiblasi10 · July 2014

Good luck!!! It sounds like an excellent opportunity.

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