Nursing vs family and flexibility

Hi Tracey, I'm off to start the diploma of nursing course next week. I, like you have 3 small children and of course a bit worried how I will cope, juggling time etc. I think if you have a desire to do something and the enthusiasm you can do it! It's not like years ago where studying wasn't as flexible as now, colleges, unis cater for mature students. If by chance you miss a class or lecture, you have the internet to help you. I say, GO FOR IT, I have always wanted to be nurse too and never thought I would get there. You will be a fantastic nurse, if that's what you've always dreamed of. If you have a bit log support, hubbie, family, friends, you will succeed. I am 36, but life is just beginning for me, good luck Tracey......Emma x

Hi Tracey, good to hear from you. You can only decide when you can do the training and i'm sorry if I sounded pushey, I did'nt mean to at all. I'm not sure what area of nursing i'd like to do, i'm just going to wait and see, my prac will be big eye opener so am looking forward to that. I wish you all the best in your nursing, keep posting and let us know how you get on, Emma

Emma, no you didn't sound pushy al all, thank you for your replies and I wish you great success in you studies.

Schizo, I understand what you mean, that there will always be something happening in life to make you think now is not a good time, thank you for that perspective. It's helpful to know that there is flexibility in nursing :)

Now to talk to my hubby and convince him that there will be enough flexibility to still have a family and a life :) even if I work part time.

Congrats Tracey...have fun and best wishes for your journey

@TRACEY....Tick tock...2 more weeks to go...LOL

Nursing v. family and flexibility is an issue which many people with children face. Most people are able to overcome it because now that it's a degree, it is approximately 13-16 hours week full-time at UTS University of Technology, Sydney and similar on-campus study hours elsewhere, with UNPAID work experience incorporated into the degree. UTS offer 1040 hours over the entire course of degree (degree duration = 3 years minimum full-time, 6 years part-time, 8-10 years maximum for if you fail a year of Uni/"school", which you won't trust me!). Uni is very flexible these days for nurses but the careers are difficult when you graduate (AIN, EN, EEN and RN, CNS1, CNS2, CNC, NP, NUM, RM, MP, MUM - assistant in nursing, enrolled nurse or endorsed enrolled nurse=registered nurse but differently trained as an undergrad (TAFE-15 months more practical, instead of RN at Uni), registered nurse (salary from $52000), clinical nurse specialist level 1/year 1 (salary $78000 approx), clinical nurse specialist lvl 2 (salary from $80000), clinical nurse consultant, nurse practitioner (very specialised nurse with a Master of Nursing (Nurse Practitioner) degree; prescribes medications and orders diagnostic tests within the boundaries of their specialty, much like a junior medical doctor or first-year registrar, but from a more holistic nursing viewpoint. Salary award=approx $102504 gross p.a. (this is my career goal - primary health nurse practioner sub specialising in maternity care&child health - independent practice, allows me to support my family - but let's be honest, running your own practice under constant supervision/in conjunction with a doctor is the pits), nurse unit manager, registered midwife, midwifery specialist e.g. lactation consultant and midwifery practitioner.

Sure, if you were fresh out of school like me (in year 12 and have already filled out my university admissions centre UAC application for NINE nursing degrees/combined degrees in nursing/arts), you wouldn't have to worry about flexibility. Us 17 and 18 year olds have it sweet, I kid I kid.

Context/background (skip-Politics alert!-off topic:-P) Nursing is, unfortunately no longer an on-the-job enrolled nurse traineeship (hasn't been since 2007 with the election of Kevin Rudd and ripping up of WorkChoices) furthermore, you can no longer technically do an Australian nurse apprenticeship to become an enrolled nurse (since Bob Hawke, I think, cancelled it in 1987, with the last group graduating in 1990). There may be options for oversease training similar to the former Australian student nurse apprenticeship (triple certificate in nursing, Cert II, Cert III and Certificate IV in Nursing - Registered) which as a four year course, similar to the current chef apprenticeship structures, allowed for paid employment and the like, plus the opportunity to specialise as an undergraduate.

If you are really passionate about nursing then I would always encourage you for that. initially it may cause some family problems regarding the flexibility, but once it becomes a habit, you would be on your track...We have seen a lot of students coming to our institute having fear about family timing flexibility, and we have helped them to overcome those issues with some piece of couselling...