I shared this on the boards, but I am so excited to share it here as well. I have spent the last two semesters working on pre-requisites to apply to a very competitive nursing program at my school, and on March 15, 2014 I received my acceptance letter to the program! Emotions ranging from anxiety to elation flooded through me. For the week prior to receiving the letter, I had cold feet about the program, and started doubting that I would be capable of working, attending a rigorous program full-time and of course being a mother and wife. I started to consider other “easier” programs that would allow me to be a little more present. I can’t say it’s been easy up to this point, and I know the program will only be more difficult as time goes on. Healthcare is what I love and what I do; it is my current career and I have a passion for it. I am so thankful for this incredible opportunity and I am hoping and praying that I have the strength to make it through the next three years!

This man is my rock! I couldn’t have made it here without his love and support

{photo credit: KME Photography}

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There is a lot that needs to happen before starting the program this fall. Of course, I need to finish the last of my pre-requisites that I am working on right now and over the summer. Up until this point, I’ve managed to schedule my study and homework time for weekends when Mr. Pen can help out with J, and after J goes to bed during the week. I haven’t had to utilize extra childcare thus far — only the hours we currently use when I’m at work. With the intensity of this program, however, Mr. Pen and I have been crunching the numbers over and over to figure out how we will make child care work.

I will maintain part-time status at my work, and thankfully they are extremely supportive of my education and willingly work with me to tailor a schedule that fits my class needs. However, school will be four days a week in addition which means our child-care needs will change drastically.

We’ve had the wonderful blessing of having my little brother as our nanny up until now and it’s worked marvelously. We get a family discount, while my brother gets “job experience” that works with his school schedule and the benefit of having family watch J.

Now that J is a toddler, I do get really excited at the prospect of him attending daycare! I know he will thrive and I have felt guilty for not providing him with “little friends” up until now. He will need to be full-time in daycare come fall, and we will need to figure out how to make the finances of a FT child care situation work on my PT income, while also paying my tuition and our regular life expense. Our daycare search has already begun and we tour our first center next week! Life will definitely be tight the next three years, but I’m so excited for this next chapter in our lives!

Are there any new chapters in your life you’re looking forward to?