RN School

Going to school is a full time "job" if you have kids/a family.
It is good, that you/your Husband will get a babysitter, while you are at school.
You will need that.
You will ALSO... need a babysitter or Nanny perhaps, even when you are at home... studying.
Or, your Husband needs to understand, CLEARLY... that HE WILL need to be a Primary parent, while you are studying (even if at home) or at school studying or meeting with class study groups.
Studying is 7 days a week, day and night.
Make sure... that your Husband knows, fully... that he will need to be available to parent, while you are a student.

My Husband went back to school to finish his degree while we had children. So did my friend's Husband. While attending school, I was like a "single parent." My Husband needed to study, and HAD to study and it was not a choice, he HAD to study... and be UNdisturbed while studying... and he studied 7 days a week, day and night. And there were internships too and projects. And keeping up your grade point average. It is daily.

So while attending school, the other Spouse cannot expect that the student-Spouse, can still do everything. They cannot.
The Academic Advisor, also tells the married-with-children Students, that it will take a lot of time and juggling of their studies. And it can impact their family/spouse and marriage. Because the Academic Advisors, have seen it first hand.
So know that.

My Husband did get his degree. He got a better job. It was worth it.
But it was very difficult... on me and sometimes our kids, because Daddy was SO busy. He took classes during Winter and Summer breaks too. We didn't have vacations. He could not just take off on whim, to go out or play etc. or to attend some family gatherings.

But so you and your Husband... really need to sit down, and he has to know... full well, what your going to school will mean... both for you, and for him since HE will be having to be and do, a ton more, while you are in school. Make sure, your Husband knows that.
Make VERY sure, that your Husband knows that.
School and having a Student-Spouse, is not easy. And your Husband will have to, be doing more.

My friend went to nursing school.
She was single at the time.
She didn't even have time for dating.
She didn't have much time for anything else, besides school.
But she is now an Anesthesiologist Doc.

Hi Tori,
Nursing school is extremely stressful - Nursing is a very stressfull profession. If you can't get through school without taking a "pill" I am not sure how you will cope on the actual job.
Nursing school is a 100 percent commitment. You are learning to save lives and there is no going half way. The instructors are tough and expect a lot from you. Excuses for missed work or missed classes are not acceptable. It doesn't matter how smart you are, you will not make it without a lot of hard work.

As an RN you will have to deal with nasty doctors, patients spitting, hitting, kicking, people yelling at you, unhappy family members, codes, people dying, stressed - co-workers, shift work, long hours, working holidays and weekends, getting floated to an unfamiliar floor, and much more. Of course you will also work with some lovely people, co-workers and physcians and the profession can be very gratifying.

I love nursing, however I thrive on the stress and the crazy dynamics of the job.

You can call your local hospital and see if they will allow you to follow a nurse for the day to see if it is really what you want to do.

Good Luck

.

Are you talking about getting into a nursing program at a four year university? I'm pretty sure that's the only path to becoming an RN, and it's pretty competitive.
If you are starting out at a community college work very closely with your advisor over the next two years to make sure you get all of your undergraduate requirements taken care of.
Unless you already have a Bachelor of Science degree and are looking to change fields?
Either way it IS a full time job and then some.
I hope your husband is on board with this as you will need his complete financial and emotional support. As of your May 22 post things didn't sound too solid :(
ETA: thanks for the clarification Love2readK!

Is there anyway to take fewer courses -- maybe one or two per semester. Carrying a full load while you have such young children would make anybody stress. Ideally, I would suggest taking just one course a semester until your youngest is at least three.

Yes, it will be hard and a lot of work, but at the same time, the program should be less intensive then working a full time job. Instead of worrying about the stress involved, try to look at what you can do to free up more time and get a schedule in place for studying/kids.
You mention your husband feeling potentially feeling like a single parent. Make sure you talk about division of labor/time comittments ahead of time. I have been in an intensive graduate program while taking care of my daughter. There have been stressful times, but in many ways it was easier then working full time. Try to make some adjustments before you start so that your husband doesn't expect you to still be able to do it all. On the other side of things, make sure that you are still able to meet some committments at home. 12 credits a semester should still leave you plenty of time to contribute to taking care of the kids/house.