[*Bethany*]

Sorry if this has already bee covered...

I have a couple years of pre-reqs to worry about before even applying to a nursing program, but I can't help but worry about the schedule. I have 3 children, ages 5, 3, and 1...so by the time I enter a program they'll be approx. 7, 5, and 3. The older 2 will be in school so they can do before and after school care, but I worry about my youngest. I really don't want to put her in daycare full time (nor can we afford daycare..it's so expensive!!!). My husband works full time as well, so I can't count on him to help with child care. No relatives or friends either.

My question is, how have you handled childcare while you're a full time nursing student?

[adnstudent2007]

My daughter was 3 when I started nursing school and I found a wonderful daycare/preschool for her. It is wonderful, they are very flexible with times and days (which is very hard to find) so I don't have to put her in every day-she goes only 3 days a week and I can change which days as I need to with just a couple weeks notice. It is out in the country so it is a little out of the way in terms of the driving but it's worth it. I would ask around other parents you know but the way I found this one was that I just called around to child care centers I found in the yellow pages and asked about hours, etc. Then I visited them and this one, and while they had the best hours, also gave me the best "mommy feeling" that she would do well there-and she's loved it since day one (she's been there about 1 1/2 years now). It was a prayer come true! Oh, also, if you're interested in a home child care situation some cities have referral services. You can try contacting the social services department in your city to find out.

[amybethf]

Have u decided what school u are going to? Check to see if they have child care there. I will be dropping off my 2.5 year old son at my school's child care. It costs $3.85 p hr. Most schools these days offer it.
Good luck!

[momx4]

I have 4 children - ages 13-2. I am a fulltime nursing student. What I did to lighten my load was take care of all the pre-reqs and co-reqs that go along with the nursing program before I entered. That way I only had nursing classes to deal with and less time in the classroom. The other student were in school 5 days a week with Nursing 101,A/P1 and Micro,while I just had class 3 days. It has taken me longer to finish but I am glad I did it that way. Figure out what classes are to be taken and take night classes. I hope that helps!

[danibanani]

Our son has Cerebral Palsy. I began school when he was 3 (he's 5 now), completing all of my pre-reqs first. Since daycare was a HUGE issue because he is differently abled, I took evening classes so hubby could watch him at night.

Since starting the nursing program, we found a wonderful daycare that doesn't mind he's in a wheelchair at all. We had to do away with some things like cable tv, home phone, and shopping at the mall so we could pay for it.

A lot of places give discounts for more than one child. You might also want to check into them. A few mom's whose children goes to the daycare have a subsidized plan according to their income. I think you apply for the under the job and family services in your county.

Like I tell my kids and my hubby... we just need to survive for the next year and a half. It'll all be worth it in the end.

Good luck!

[labcat01]

Originally Posted by danibanani

Like I tell my kids and my hubby... we just need to survive for the next year and a half. It'll all be worth it in the end.

Good luck!

Yep, that is my mantra too! I'm not going to lie, it is really hard and expensive. My son is 2 and he goes to a GREAT daycare from 8:30-3:00 while i'm in class/clinicals (my husband has to do his share of dropping off and picking up). I know where you are coming from because we don't have any family in the area either!

Every spare minute I have goes to studying and it has been hard on my family but it is worth it in my opinion. I just have to make it through the rest of flu season and i'm home free...because nursing school does NOT look to kindly on absences.

Have you thought about putting your child in a home daycare. They are usually less expensive than a daycare center?

[Spidey's mom]

I waited until my youngest was in 1st grade to start nursing school. I did the pre-reqs slowly - fortunately I had gone to college after high school majoring in Social Work so I had general ed covered and just needed anatomy, physio and micro.

I'm not a big fan of daycare. My family helped out a great deal.

steph

[jov]

Originally Posted by *Bethany*

I really don't want to put her in daycare full time (nor can we afford daycare..it's so expensive!!!). My husband works full time as well, so I can't count on him to help with child care. No relatives or friends either.

If what you say above is absolutely true, that:
1) you can't afford daycare
2) your husband can't help
3) you have no relatives or friends who can help

then your only option is to wait until she is in K or 1st grade.

[~Karen~n~AZ~]

I have always carried a full load at college and at home. I have two little monsters. My son is now ten and my daughter is three. I decided to start right after my daughter turned three months. It was pretty stressfully but well worth driving back and forth to the college four times a day to nurse her. I took almost a year off because I was worried that my youngest wasn't getting the attention her older brother had received. I also had to find a college that would accept me into a program ASAP. It was a nice break. My husband and I work together with my class schedule. He really gives a lot. I go to school during the day and he works at night. I take our son to school and pick him up and he watches our daughter during the day. We switch off a lot and barely see each other but its only temporary. This past semester I needed a setter for a few weeks. It cost us $40.00 for only one day a week, about 4-5 hours long. I have to admit that she was an awesome person and my daughter and son both loved going to her.

I try to take each day as it comes and prepare the best I know how. I keep going because I am persistent and a little crazy at times.

[*Bethany*]

Thanks for sharing all of your stories and ideas.

There's some good news. My husband's schedule at work is going to be changing in a matter of a couple of weeks, so that should really make things more flexible for us. It couldn't have happened at a better time!