How old were your kids when you started the program?

Lisa CCU RN, RN · Jan 17, 2007

My kids are 4 and 6 and they attend daycare 6:00 am to 6:00 pm. The kindergarten in my area runs full day, but even if it didn't, the the daycare takes them to school and picks them up. Some schools also have onsite childcare from 6-6.

allnurses Guide · Jan 17, 2007

I had three kids when I started nursing school and purposely waited until my youngest was in 1st grade because we didn't want to put our kids in daycare.

I did get out of class, if I remember right, at 3 p.m. but I had an hour and a half bus ride home. My mom lived with us at the time and got the kids ready in the morning and picked them up after school. That created it's own set of challenges as she smoked and my kids and dh hated it - well so did I.

Best wishes as you figure out the best way for you and your family.

steph

WDWpixieRN, RN · Jan 17, 2007

I'm in an ADN program that has classes that are either 2 or 3 hours/day M, Th, & Fri. Our long days involve going to the hospital on Mondays to pick up patient information after class (maybe another hour or so out of the house, then at-home prep), and of course, clinical days on Tuesdays which start at 0630 until 1530.

Best wishes in finding a solution!

MomNRN, BSN, RN · Jan 18, 2007

It is hard. My youngest was 5 (but not yet in kindergarten) when I went to nursing school. I remember my mom having to go sit with her during the lunch of all day kindergarten because she was having trouble adjusting. It just about broke my heart. I almost missed her first day of school too.

When older daughter had pneumonia and missed 10 days of school, I couldn't stay home with her. I remember calling home from the cath lab and finding out she had pneumonia.

If I didn't have both sets of grandparents, I couldn't have done it. They went on field trips, doctor visits, and orthodontist appts. They provided care on half-days and inservice days.

Dad was always too busy/too "important" to miss work.

Nursing school is a struggle. To be honest I don't know if here is a "good" time. You just have to do it.

WDWpixieRN, RN · Jan 18, 2007

If I didn't have both sets of grandparents, I couldn't have done it.

We have at least 2 single moms in my class who are also relying on grandparents (Moms & Dads) to assist with their little ones. Both have said they couldn't do it without them.

Nursing school is a struggle. To be honest I don't know if there is a "good" time. You just have to do it.

My kids are grown; the last 'baby' flew the coup for college this fall. But I would definitely agree with this statement. I missed some things while doing prereqs and am still struggling when they have special parents' activities on his college campus which is only 90 minutes away!! And one daughter has moved home with her 5 y/o....and I'm unable to help her in the way I would like with her childcare struggles due to my class schedule!!

Nurse-To-Be-Joy · Jan 18, 2007

I had taken most of my classes before I had my son. So, after him, I only had 5 classes (which I did in 2 semesters at nights and on weekends) and my nursing classes. When I started taking those 5 classes, my son was 2 1/2. Now, I just started semester 2 out of 4 of my nursing program and he'll be 4 in May. You just gotta do it. His daycare is open 6:30am to 5:30pm. I hate to be away from him so much, but I know that, in the long run, it's what's best for him. And my MIL helps out sooo much. It's great to have family support (emotional, not financial... although that would be great, too!)

Clarise · Jan 18, 2007

My children were ages 5, 3, 2 and 6 weeks when I started my 1st semester of nursing school (I had been going 2 years prior to get all the prereqs done). It was a crazy first year and I wouldn't want to do it again. Things are better now as I enter my 4th (and final!) semester - everyone is sleeping through the night, no more breastfeeding and the 5 year old is almost 7 and like a 2nd mom around the house.

We had a full-time 40 hour per week babysitter to get me through the first year. She is leaving to move back home in March and then I am on my own (with hubby's help), till I graduate in May.

Almost there! Good luck, it can be done.

Kemccanha · Jan 18, 2007

My youngest was just entering kindergarten when I started. My oldest was in 3rd grade. It's been extremely challenging. Thank goodness for a very supportive husband! He's taken personal time and sick time when the kids needed someone with them whether it be to get them on the bus or off the bus etc.

Trauma Columnist · Jan 18, 2007

I started nursing school when my boys were 5 and 10 years old. My husband was very helpful but deployed part of the time also. It wasn't a cakewalk! However, I was fortunate to have lived in Las Vegas and had 24/7 daycare! It was expensive but I had to do it - am glad now that I did. However, it wasn't fun.

marilynmom, LPN, NP · Jan 18, 2007

When I started my first semester my kids were 4 and 8 years old. I homeschool them and they are with my mom or my husband when I'm in class/clinicals. Works well. My kids are pretty independent which I think helps.

southlandrn · Jan 18, 2007

I have just started a 2 year ADN program. My daughter is 7, in 2nd grade. My son is 5, in a pre-K program. Both are 830-3 programs. DH has to handle drop-offs one or two days/week, and the kids stay for aftercare one or two days/week. It's been workable so far, though I have been finding it hard to muster up the discipline to study during the daytime. We have a scheduling hurdle coming up in the springtime, however. The kids each have a week off for spring break---one the week BEFORE Easter, the other the week AFTER! Of course my break consists of the Friday and Monday only. I am hoping to be able to fly my mother to town for at least a week. Otherwise, DH will have to use up a lot of vacation time, and take them to work with him. Gotta make it work!