The Busy Nurse and Mom's Guide to Earning a Master's

     You are a superhero on and off-duty. On the floor, you tend to patients and make them as comfortable as possible while you treat a variety of ailments and injuries. You offer a smile, a kind word and, sometimes, the only thing people need during times of grief or difficulty: a shared silence. Then you go home and take on an even bigger job.

     As a mom, you're always there to kiss a boo-boo, read a story and laugh at all the silly, wondrous things only kids can see. But you're also constantly busy, running through an endless to-do list that can leave chores falling to the wayside and your days off feeling just as hectic as your regular workdays. But still, something inside of you has drawn you to push harder. You've never been one to back down from a challenge, so you're researching how to get your master's in nursing and further your career. While it might seem like the final card that'll make the house crumble, you can plan for your graduate studies.

The Busy Nurse and Mom's Guide to Earning a Master's
image from pexels.com

Set Your Priorities

     The bottom line is that you must set boundaries and establish limits. There will not be enough time to do everything. Work and parenthood aren't negotiable, but they can become flexible depending on your schedule. The best thing you can do is start keeping a calendar and learn to study during your limited downtime. If your kids are still at the age where they take naps, that can be prime time for you to get some reading or homework done. If they're older, you may be able to use the weekends to have them visit their grandparents or spend the day out with your significant other.

Establish a Support System

     You must take advantage of every person you have in your life to make it through your master's without hitting a wall. Burnout is inevitable for someone who doesn't have any help and is doing the work of two or even three people. Fill your friends and family in about your degree plans, and don't let pride get in the way of asking for help. Older children can take on household chores and prepare light meals. Grandparents and friends can babysit occasionally so you have more free time to study. You should also fill your professors in about your family life. While being a mom doesn't earn you a free pass in the classroom, your teachers are also working professionals who, more often than not, will be understanding and even willing to offer extensions and allowances for someone who has a full plate at home.

Get Your Finances Sorted Early On

     Do not avoid thinking about student debt or talking about money. You need to know exactly how much your courses will cost and how you'll cover them. From scholarships to loans, there are a lot of possibilities for nurses to pay for their education. You can borrow a student loan from a private lender to cover the cost of your medical degree, then take advantage of consolidation and refinancing later to make all your student debt more manageable. If you'll be tapping into your personal bank account for some of your education expenses, make sure you budget thoroughly. Saving as much as possible, even if it just means buying a cheaper brand at the grocery store, is important.

Remind Yourself Why You're Doing This

     Times of stress will make you feel frustrated and questioning why you even put yourself through this. Don't lose sight of your motivation. Whether it's providing a better life for your kids or achieving your personal dream, this is something that you've taken on for a reason. It can be helpful to keep a journal during the course of your degree and put a sticky note in the front. Whenever you open the book, you'll always be reminded of what you're striving for.