Mama's Heading Back to School

[laski]

I am certain that if I peruse these forums long enough I will find someone EXACTLY in my shoes, so please bear with me while I ask for a little feedback.

I am a married mom of two (2 and 4 year-olds) with a BA in English and M.Ed. in Education. I taught high school before having my children and have taken off the last 4 years to be with them full time.

After making the decision to go to nursing school EVENTUALLY, I read through several posts and spoke to a few friends who said that it will never be easier to do than now (unless I wanted to wait until my children graduate high school). Right now we are still in the toddler/preschool phases, but soon enough it will be homework, extracurriculars, t-ball, soccer, dance recitals and you name it. Life will go from busy to chaotic.

So, I start classes in September. I took all my prereqs and have taken pretty much all the non-nursing courses either the last few terms or back in my BA degree days. I have only seven credits the first term (intro to nursing and a nursing lab).

What will life be like (studying, free time)? What should I expect in the lab? During clinicals? From the classes? From some of the posts I have read it sounds like school will be my life, and while I know (and accept) the challenge, will that hold true for someone who has ONLY the nursing specific classes to complete (save for a second A&P and Microbiology)? The good news is that I have a VERY supportive husband and the day care facility I will use (only while I am in school) is on the campus. But, the thought of being away from them and then having to study my life away when I want to be with them is killing me. Tell me your experiences. Be honest . . . I can take it.

[mamabear85]

I have no advice to offer except to say I am in a similar situation. Starting my ADN in August with a 3 year old. I'm very nervous about maintaining a good school-family balance. I know its possible and many have done it before. We just have to believe in ourselves and realize its not forever. Strong mamas can get through anything Best of luck to you laski!!

[ParkerBC,MSN,RN, PhD, RN]

I hope that my response will give you a little insight. I decided to pursue the second degree BSN option. It was an accelerated program. Each semester was seven weeks long…between 9-12 credit hours each semester. I was on campus for three days per week while completing clinical two days per week. It was a full-time job. I completed the program in 14 months.

I am fortunate in that I am both an auditory and visual learner. I would skim chapters before class to pin point the important information. Then I would listen to lecture. It helped me to better understand the material. I only studied content that I did not understand. There were weeks when I did not bother to study for an exam and still performed well. There were times when I had to study a lot; Endocrine and Fluids/Electrolyte Balances for example.

I made it a point to have a social life. My justification was that if I did not have any kind of social life, it would have added unnecessary and additional stress to an already stressful situation. I planned my activities in advance so that I would ensure I had enough time to complete assignments.

I think your rationale is correct. While your children are young and not participating in extracurricular activities, you should return to school. I have read several posts on the forum where single mothers who children around the age of your children who returned to school. Having the excellent support system you mentioned will only set you up for greater success.

I say go for it! Good luck in whatever you decide!

[momto2j's]

I also have a 2 and 4 year old. I have a BS in engineering, we moved for DH's job just after I finished my first year of law school and DS #2 interupted my MSW studies, so I have also decided to give nursing school a try. I still need A&P so will do that next year and then start the nursing program in the Fall of 2013 when my oldest starts K.

I too am concerned how to ballence the program with my family as I am the primary care giver and DH's schedule is a bit unpredictable. So I'm using A&P as a test. But I am in the EXACT same life situation as you are!!!!!

Good luck