Ask a Nurse: Are There Nursing Programs for Working Parents?

In our Ask a Nurse series, experienced nurses provide an insider look at the nursing profession by answering your questions about nursing careers, degrees, and resources.

Answer: Making the choice to go back to school full time is a huge decision. This is especially true for students who are still working full time or who have special needs children at home. And nursing school — what a commitment!

First of all, congratulations on making the decision to become a nurse. It's a great field with a lot to offer as you grow into your career. It's especially great for busy parents because of the flexibility and many practice options available to graduates.

But you have to get there first, right?

The good news is that it's completely doable, though it may take some strategizing and planning ahead.

There are some important variables to consider when looking at your options. How old is your child and what level of care or support do they need? If basic childcare will suffice, check out this list of programs that offers some form of childcare or child-friendly activities on campus. If you aren't near one of these programs, check out colleges near you to see if this is a benefit they may offer.

If your kids need more support or there isn't a nursing program with childcare near you, it may be better to look for a part-time or night program in order to work around your other responsibilities.

If you earn your registered nurse (RN) license through an associate degree in nursing (ADN) program, you can go back later on to earn your bachelor in science in nursing (BSN) or another advanced degree online at your own pace. An associate degree also takes less time to complete and will let you transition back into the workplace sooner.

Finally, your employer may offer some financial assistance for you to return to school in order to earn your BSN, once you are ready.

Good luck — you got this!

Written by:

Nicole Galan, RN, MSN

Nicole Galan is a registered nurse who started on a general medical/surgical care unit and then moved to infertility care, where she worked for almost 10 years. She has also worked for over 13 years as a freelance writer specializing in consumer health sites and educational materials for nursing students. Galan currently works as a full-time freelancer and recently earned her master’s degree in nursing education from Capella University.