Nursing school and kids? HELP!

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Hello everyone! So right now I am enrolled in a bsn program in three years. I have a two year old and am having a extremely hard time balancing everything since it is an accelerated school. I am in the beginning of my junior year and I feel like the school I am at is setting us up to fail. What a normal college needs to do in 16 weeks I need to completely know and understand in 8 weeks and with a two year old it is almost impossible. I have a great support system at home and I do not work.

Any suggestions?

Also, I was thinking of transferring to the community college to earn my Associates so I can hop into the working field sooner and then complete a bridge program. Does anyone have any suggestions or comments?

Thanks!

You have a great support system and you do not work, so what is the problem? Is it that you are not used to cramming in the vast amount of content in to 8 weeks? If that is the case, perhaps you need to tweak your study/retention habits.

Try and stick to it. You are a junior, so you are almost done.

Besides, you may or may not be able to transfer the credits from the ABSN program to the community college. I have seen it both ways - one girl had to start over from scratch to another ABSN, while the other was able to transfer, albeit she had to wait in the waiting list.

If you really want to transfer, call your local schools first before leaving your current program.

Good luck!

Specializes in Postpartum and Newborn.

The only advice I have is to get organized, make a schedule for yourself (and your family), and make sure you allow yourself plenty of uninterrupted study time. I have 8 months left in my BSN program, and I have a 4 year old, 3 year old, and a 5-month old. I also have a very supportive husband and helpful mom and mother-in-law. My husband works 50+hours each week and is also going to school, so we're very busy. I just stay as organized as possible... I keep a weekly calendar on the fridge and I make sure I schedule study time. During my study time, I leave the house and usually camp out at Starbucks. Studying at home with a little one is tough, so try to study elsewhere if you can. I also get up in the morning an hour or two before my kids so that I can have some quiet study time. I read my textbooks whenever I get a free moment. It takes a lot of time management, but it can be done. Good luck mama!

Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

In the metro area where I live, many major hospital systems have stopped hiring new grad RNs with associate degrees over the past three years and have favored the mass hiring of BSNs. If the area where you live has hospital systems that prefer BSN grads, you may wish to stay in your accelerated BSN program due to ease of finding employment when you graduate. Good luck with whatever you decide.

Specializes in Oncology.
The only advice I have is to get organized, make a schedule for yourself (and your family), and make sure you allow yourself plenty of uninterrupted study time. I have 8 months left in my BSN program, and I have a 4 year old, 3 year old, and a 5-month old. I also have a very supportive husband and helpful mom and mother-in-law. My husband works 50+hours each week and is also going to school, so we're very busy. I just stay as organized as possible... I keep a weekly calendar on the fridge and I make sure I schedule study time. During my study time, I leave the house and usually camp out at Starbucks. Studying at home with a little one is tough, so try to study elsewhere if you can. I also get up in the morning an hour or two before my kids so that I can have some quiet study time. I read my textbooks whenever I get a free moment. It takes a lot of time management, but it can be done. Good luck mama!

I'm sho glad to hear this!!! I start my clinicals in january and my kids will be 23mo and 9mo. Needless to say I'm nervous!!!

Specializes in L&D.

You can do it! I have 4 kids (9.5, 8, 6, almost 3) and although Im not in an accelerated program, I am extremely busy(volunteer work, 3 kids in school with activities--girl scouts, gymnastics), plus work PT 24hr/week as a Nurse Tech.

It is hard and does require some sacrifice but is totally doable...Maintain a calender and study every day!

I'm in a regular BSN program with eight kids! It's crazy, but I'm doing fine. Prioritize, just remember, it won't be this crazy forever!

I have 4 kids. I agree, prioritization is a must. My house isn't spotless but after a few meltdowns I have decided my family will survive some toys in the floor and an unmade bed now and then. I only worry about the necessities and on test days, which will pretty much be everyday for the rest of the semester, we either have a quick easy meal or my husband makes dinner. This won't last forever and this is for my family. Hang in there!

I'm in a regular BSN program with eight kids! It's crazy, but I'm doing fine. Prioritize, just remember, it won't be this crazy forever!
Thank you for your post. I have three little ones and I question if I will make it in the BSN program I will start in August.
Thank you for your post. I have three little ones and I question if I will make it in the BSN program I will start in August.

Good luck! If you want it badly enough, you'll make it work! My program is 5 semesters long, seems like forever, but I know it'll go fast.

This is great to hear I have two boys (4,17) and I start my ASN program Dec.5th. I'm extremely nervous as my program is accelerated.

Specializes in Prior military RN/current ICU RN..

I am a male and have no children. I got my BSN in '05 and I was in an accelerated second bachelors program. I remember my classmates with children..and I was thinking how in the HECK do they do it? I was exhausted and all I had to worry about was me! I will say this..they all made it. I would say one added value..you are teaching the kids about hard work. And when they are older they will say "look what mom went through for us"

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