CRNA school and single parenting

iliket3 · Aug 16, 2003

Very curious to hear some replies about this one. I am married with a small child whom will be about kindergarten age by the time I start NA school. My husband works over the road and is gone about 2-3 weeks at a time. So during those times I operate as a "single parent." This is difficult enough during nursing school. We're trying to figure out how we'll do it during grad school. Any thoughts out there????

AlishaNHayzley · Aug 16, 2003

Yeah, I'm not feeling much encouragement here. I cannot believe that NO ONE did this alone? Is that just unheard of?

pghfoxfan · Aug 16, 2003

Family and friend help.

Is there any way your husband can change jobs to be closer to home?

My husband is an Anesthetist and was in school when I had my second child. (he worked 12 hours on the weekends) We hardly saw him.

London88 · Aug 17, 2003

Some of us are not touching this one as it got quite heated and ugly in the past!

Athlein · Aug 17, 2003

London88 is right - there was discussion on this topic in the past. Go to the search area and type in "single parent".

momcrna · Aug 17, 2003

Can't speak directly to single parenting and CRNA. But, I can say that not much is impossible if you a) desire it alot b) plan like crazy. I have three children and will begin CRNA training in two weeks. Having started by being raised partially in state care due to parents with lots of "issues", I made it through nurses training, advanced to a BS degree, married, had three wonderful children, managed several hospital departments over ten years and now will begin CRNA schooling. All along the way many assured me that I could never acheive each of these goals. Was it hard? Yes, incredibly. But, my children know that my love for them is endless and that mom (and they) can go for any goal they set their sights upon. Sometimes goals must be deferred (I am starting school in my 40's with school-age kids) but seldom do they need to be forgotten. Hope this helps.

luvbug · Aug 17, 2003

hello!! I'm hoping I have some words of wisdom for those single parents out there wondering about time management. i am a single mother of one child, a 3-year-old girl. she was born when all that I had left of nursing school was the Clinical INP (Integrated Nursing Practicum). That was 8 hours a day for 9 days. I was in labor with her on my last day of regular clinicals, but managed to get through the whole day with no problems. My instructors were nice enough for me to make up the time ahead of time. The rest of my class did their "regular" clinicals 2 days a week, I went 3 days a week. then, when she was 2 weeks old, it was time for me to do the INP. My daughter's father was in the Army National Guard at the time, and it was then that they had to do their summer 2 weeks, so he was gone, too. Fortunately, my mother and older sister were able to take some time off work to come and watch my daughter while I finished school. I won't lie, it was very exhausting, not to mention that my daughter was 3 weeks early and had a digestive problem, so I had to get up every hour and feed her 1/4 ounce of formula which she immediately vomited back up. Sound like reflux? the doctors didn't think so. anyway, I did manage to finish school and cried like achild at graduation, but it was well worth it. along the way, there have been some challenging days, but now I work full time and raise a very inquisitive child. I am looking at going to RN school now, and I think I will be able to do it, if I go part-time. those of you who are considering it, it is quite a balancing act, but just like any new thing, you get used to it. time management is something that comes naturally to me, and I think the art of multi-tasking helps greatly. Also, I think that because she is old enough to understand when I need some time, it makes things easier. study when they're sleeping, or in the tub, or staying at a friends house, or whatever. have your notes with you wherever, you may be surprised at when you'll find time to read over them. And, even if you feel like you are not learning anything, you are!! I mean, hey, did that NCLEX book make sende to anyone? Not me, but reading in it and studying it is what really helped me with the boards. Sorry, I didn't mean to ramble and spill my life story, but wanted to let you know that it can be done. Organization is the key. :D

iliket3 · Aug 17, 2003

I personally don't see why it would have to be a "heated" discussion. It's a simple question to those of you (if there are any) who went to NA school and was a single parent at the time. Simple enough - the question that is.

Yes, my husband and I are currently discussing his job situation in hopes of him changing jobs so that I may go to school. I do understand that time management is key. I will search the threads for this topic however I have looked extensively through these boards and the only topic concerning children was the thread about having children and going to NA school. I understand that there are those of you out there who strongly believe that the "woman's place" is at home with the children. Well, I'm not old school - sorry. Plus, as far as that topic goes I KNOW I am setting a wonderful and important example for my young son.

So back to the original question....are there any single parents out there who have gone to or are currently attending NA school?

Thank you for any reply

AlishaNHayzley · Aug 17, 2003

I did go back and found some of the heated discussions from this topic. I was pretty shocked at some of the oppinions. I really wasn't looking to see what anybody thought about me being a single parent and going to CRNA school, I'm not really concerned about oppinions on that I just wanted to know what other single parents had done to get through school. It's not a question of if I'm going or not, but how I'm going to manage it.:)

TraumaNurse · Aug 18, 2003

Hard work, determination, time management, and the help of family or close friends. Good luck!

dreamon · Aug 18, 2003

Can someone tell me how to get to the previous discussion about this topic? I tried to find it, but nothing came up...thank you!