I HAVE to become a nurse. I've been around enough in healthcare that I know personally, professionally, and spiritually that nursing is my endgame. I'm a 34 year old who has never made enough money to put myself in a good position to pay rent and eat for at the same time. To consider the prospect of four years of.full time school, full time work, part time parenting and the variability of clinicals... I already get overwhelmed halfway into that list.

My only thought of how to pull it off with any practicality is to grab my CNA again and set myself up in an ER where it's not strictly 7-7 scheduling... but even then I probably need to exhaust myself with overtime. I've proven too engaged to chill in a corner and reserve some energy for later.

I've got the requisite energy and passion, but four years of Adderall (prescribed, but still), Monster enemas, and flirtations with the consequences of sleep deprivation... to quote Danny Glover "I'm too old for this shit." Oh, plus I have a kid. That situation fluctuates but I need to keep an eye to it as I plan.

So to those who pulled it off, what are your thoughts? I appreciate your time.