Nursing students who are also moms of young children

Nursing Students General Students

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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. :o

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

I also have 3 children ages 3,4,5. I don't work, but my hubby works days, so this was an issue with us also. Luckily, my 2 older kids are in school, but my youngest needed care all day. Also, my 2 older kids needed before/after school care. We found a really great in home daycare for $130 a week which is great, compared to $200 that the daycare quoted. She is very flexible, and my kids love it. I was very nervous about the transition because I've always stayed at home, but it has gone very smooth. The Lord works in mysterious ways, so you have to beleive even when you're not sure it will work out!

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well i can say this i have a 16 month old and im in my junior year, spring semester (so if all goes well this semester, only a year left!) and i can tell you it's hard juggling everything but i got lucky because my husband is a teacher and he found us a sitter who's affordable and will watch my son from 7:30-5 if i need her to plus she's a retired LPN

so the best thing you can do is just ask people at your school who have kids what they do because most people in nursing school don't have a job because it's really REALLY hard to balance school and a job (not saying it can't be done it's just hard) so i can guarantee you, you will find someone affordable and recommended

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Wow, thanks for all the replies! There have been a lot of great ideas here.

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I know others have mentioned it, but check into subsidized childcare. Most states offer it, and it is called something different in each state. Pennsylvania has an independant organization that offers it. The income guidelines are much higher than most assistance programs. You will usually just have to pay a co-pay. Most are $10-$50 per week based on income. Since you have alot in your household, and are on one income you might qualify. Every day care center and home day care in my area accepts it.

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I am also a military spouse in NC and my husband is deployed to Afghanistan right now. I start in Aug this year and my babies are 3 and 20 months. He will not be home for the first several months of NS and it will be somewhat of a change for the kids. I have been a stay at home mom for the past two years and my son, the 20 mon. old is really attached to me. I already have my daughter in daycare and she is doing well but I am worried about my son. Its expensive but I am hoping to get a stafford loan, and possibly help from my college, its supposed to pay half of the daycare costs because they don't have a daycare. I just graduated from online college with my AA in health admin so I was busy doing that and could not do any extra classes. I am really hopeful that I can get things done and do well. My husband may be deployed at any time next year so I can't count on him to be there at all times. I want it bad enough so at this point I feel like I have to do well. good luck.

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I will be starting a nursing program in October. At that time my older daughter will be 4 and my twins will be 8 months. I am so worried about the cost of child care!! It will probably cost double what I am paying for school. I have been looking on babysitters.com for affordable care and hopefully someone to come to my house. There are a lot of college students on there who are studying child care and looking for money. I am lucky enough that my parents are lending me the money for school including the child care. But I want to borrow just the right amount so I have less to pay back.

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You might want to check with your school..I just found out a NS in my area offers childcare. Since I don't have children, I haven't further researched it, but it might be worth checking into.

Also, see if you can put a post out there to students from your NS and inquire as to what they do/did, maybe they know of something or someone. Since it's graduation time, there might be some openings!

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I have a 15 year old with autisim and a 21 month old. I am an LPN transitioning to RN graduating in April 09 (hopefully). I work 2 doubles on the weekends and I attend school full-time as well.

My husband does as much as he can, he is good with the kids but he is definitely not a good housekeeper or cook. The baby can get kind of sticky at times lol and we are eating a lot of quick meals. The house is a sanitary but very cluttered and disorganized.

I just overlook the small stuff and focus on the big picture. I don't go crazy over things like laundry, as long as the clothes get washed who cares if they are piled up on the sofa right? It's a sacrifice but it's entirely do able if you have good support.

P.S sorry I didn't realize this was specifically about child care. That's what I get for trying to sneak on Allnurses while I am in the lab.

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