BSN Moms/Students

perkinsflower · Feb 18, 2012

I'm not a mom but i'm a BSN student with a husband in school as well and an almost-full-time job so I can give you some input as to how I operate if that's any help...

I'm in my first semester and I am in class every morning, usually from 8 or 9 until noon or so depending on the day. I have two days where I have afternoon labs. I work Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday nights, generally 6-8 hour shifts each night. I do my best not to work during the week. My husband works six days a week and goes to school Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. I probably won't have much time if any to work next semester when I start clinicals so I expect that to change for me.

I think the school schedule is going to define a lot of what you do, as well as what your support structure is like. You kind of have to plan every minute of your day, as lame as that sounds. See what options your school offers and take inventory of what you have going on now and what you can do to work them together. Good luck!

Lola34 · Feb 18, 2012

Thank you Perkinsflower for your input. It helps to have an idea of how NS balance school, work, and family.

MeganJBear · Feb 18, 2012

Im in my second term of a BSN program with a 8 month old and a 3 year old. I have full time daycare for both kids Mon-Fri (7am-6pm) although I'm always able to pick the kids up by 5pm. My classes are Mon-Wed, 9-noon or 1-4pm depending on the day. Thurs and Fri are clinical days, so the schedule varies but so far its been between 8am-5pm.

Full time care is essential because it gives me the freedom to attend classes and get some studying done. I also study every evening after the kids go to bed until 9 or 10pm. and I try to study for a few hours on weekend afternoons.

Its a big sacrifice, but do-able. I'm either studying or playing with my kids- no time for anything else. I keep reminding myself that although these 3 years are hard, once I'm a nurse I'll be able to be there so much more for my kids.

Lola34 · Feb 18, 2012

MeganjBear, thank you for the information. My kids are 2,3, and soon to be 5. My husband and in-laws are very supportive. I have childcare for my youngest two until 5:30 pm so that will help me. I do not plan on working so I can focus the next two years on family and school. I'm so excited yet nervous. I really like to hear personal stories of other NS. It is making me feel like yes I can do it! Thanks again and good luck in the program!

lifelearningrn, BSN, RN · Feb 19, 2012

I just started my BSN program and I have 2 boys, 6 and 8. They are both in elementary school so I don't need all day care. My husband puts them on the bus in the mornings and my neighbor gets them off the bus and watches them until my husband or I get home. Whoever gets here first.

My classes are Monday from 8am-4pm, Tuesday from 9-2ish (Assessment lab) and Phamacology from 4-7, Wednesday I'm off (currently, but will be doing preclinicals in a couple of weeks), Thursday I'm there from 8:30-3:30 currently, but when my clinical starts it will be 6:30-1:30 plus post clinical, however long that takes, Friday it's Patho from 8-noon. I get up early to study for an hour or so and then I am on the road at 6am and usually arrive at school between 6:45 and 7:00. I study at school before and inbetween classes. I am going to be staying late regularly from now on to practice in the skills lab. I spend all weekends usally studying too.

I'm still learning how to balance family and school. My neighbor does homework with my boys and hubby has them fed and ready for bed so I can get a little quality time with them when I get home.. I pick them up from the bus-stop on Wednesday and Fridays so I do get a couple hours during the week to be a parent.

A support system is really important and so far mine is good. I don't think I could do it without them.

lala1016 · Feb 19, 2012

Lola,

I too have children, ages 2,3, and soon to be 5. I start the ASN Program in May! I am nervous as to how it will work out, so I am very interested in responses you get on this post. If you would like, once I get my plans in place, I will let you know how my schedule will be. It is just me and my husband making it happen, and he has to work full-time. I suppose we will have a babysitter 1-2 days a week. :)

Lola34 · Feb 20, 2012

Lala1016, congratulations on your acceptance and good luck! I am definitely interested in hearing your schedule once you start your program. It's funny our children are the same ages:)

Easgaskins · Mar 5, 2012

I am a single parent with a 6 and 2 year old. My six year old is in kindergarten in a special needs program, diagnosed with Autism at 28 months. My 2 year old stays with my parents while I am in school. My day begins at 5a when my 6yr old wakes, and ends close to midnight when homework and study are as complete as I can manage, sleep is essential. I read through assignments aloud, sometimes recording them so that i can listen to them while i am unable to read. I am currently not working, depending on financial aid, scholarships, child support, and loans to help me through because I just don't have the skill available to manage any more. I am in class from 8a-4p M-F, its a full time job, and I have labs 2x/wk. Depending on the school, and the classes that you are taking will depend on what kind of schedule you will have. Good luck in working out your schedule. It is always easier when there is support in your education.

tippeny · Mar 6, 2012

I have 2 daughters, 4 and 7. My eldest is in 1st grade and my little one is in all-day daycare. I have classes Monday 8-1 or 8-5, depending on the week; Tuesday 8:30-4; Friday 8:30-3:00. I set up my schedule with Wednesday and Thursday off to do open labs and study. My husband is super supportive and does pretty much everything until I get home from school; but he travels for 5 weeks each Spring and Fall semester, so when he is away I'm basically a single parent and my oldest daughter goes to before and after school care. We don't have any family in the area, but occasionally my MIL comes up from out-of-state to help me out for a week. I don't study from the time I get home until my girls go to bed, because they are the most important thing to me. But I study from the time they go to sleep until I can't read any more and I study as much as humanly possible on the weekend. My husband suffers the most neglect, but he is very understanding and doesn't complain TOO much about it. :)

It is doable, but sometimes I wonder if I should cut back to part-time. Good luck in your decision. You'll find a way to make everything work.

SPJJMommy · Mar 7, 2012

I'm in a BSN program, and I have a 4 year old, 3 year old, and I'm 28 weeks pregnant with my third. My nursing program is very nontraditional... the coursework and didactic is all online, labs are on the weekends (averages about 1 weekend a month), and we have our clinical shifts clustered together (usually 5 12-hour shifts in a two week period), and they're typically spaced about one to two months apart. We are required to study at least 30 hours a week though, so I study when my kids are asleep. I have a lot of family nearby that watches my little ones if I have a clinical shift on a weekday, and my husband is home on the weekends to cover lab days and weekend clinicals. I'm pretty lucky to be in a program that is so accommodating to mommies! :)

Skips, MSN, RN · Mar 7, 2012

Hey! I am currently a young mom with a 3-year-old boy. I am in the first semester of a BSN program. I currently go 4 days per week.

Mon - 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Tues - basically a full 8-hour day

Weds - 7 a.m. to 10 a.m.

Thurs - 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. (lab day)

My husband is off on Mondays (he is finishing up an ADN program in May), and I cover on Fridays, so our son only has to be watched 3 days a week. Not bad.