Pregnant during nursing school

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Hello all. I am currently a nursing student about to start my 3rd semester in the fall of a 5 semester program. My husband and I know for sure we want one more child but are trying to decide when the time will be right. We already have an 18 month old currently. Due to certain circumstances we cannot wait anymore than I would say 5 years at the very maximum for another baby. With all that being said, I am currently in a good job in terms of maternity leave (3 months full pay vs most places is 6 weeks) but I also want to get into a PCT position before I graduate to get my foot in the door. My thought is if I were to plan it just right I could have the baby end of next May, go on a maternity leave from my job, and then get into a hospital after the maternity leave for my last semester of school.

SO....looking for success/not so successful stories on those of you have have any experience with this or know someone who has? Curious how it worked out for others. Thanks in advance:)

Specializes in L&D, infusion, urology.
Worst case scenario you have to defer and finish the next semester.

Not all programs are this forgiving. Mine isn't. If you make that choice and can't finish school, you would have to make a good case for them to let you back in, and you would start at the beginning with the next new class, best case scenario. But they wouldn't see nursing as a priority, and would likely give that slot to someone else who hasn't made a choice that got in the way of their nursing program. With how impacted nursing programs are and how many people desperately want in, it frustrates me to see people take their slot for granted.

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Specializes in M/S, LTC, Corrections, PDN & drug rehab.

I would wait. If you know you can't wait any more than five years, who knows what may happen during the pregnancy.

I found out I was pregnant (with my first) in November & decided to postpone applying to the nursing school in my town. But then last month I got an acceptance letter to a college an hour away. I had to decline that college (start date was June 4th, I'm due July 5th & the semester goes until July 18th) because this pregnancy was not easy. I was also put on bed rest due to preterm labor after I was discharged from the hospital. There was no way my body would've been able to handle the summer semester.

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Oh man, I couldn't even walk fast or lift heavy objects without peeing my pants until almost a month after giving birth, I can't imagine going to clinical a few days later. :unsure: And if you are planning on breastfeeding, that takes extra time too (but it's well worth it!)

Another thought, your toddler may need a little extra TLC as well during pregnancy, plus you will be more tired than usual, and you will need to take time off for OB appointments and such. Nope, I definitely wouldn't do it on purpose.

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Thanks everyone for your input, I love hearing different opinions. For me personally, family is first everything else is 2nd. I would hate to think I gave up an opportunity to expand my family and somthing terrible happen where I can't have another down the road. I have definetely considered a difficult pregnancy (although I have a smooth pregnancy the first time around) and if this happens I would have to take a medical leave from school. In my program they allow you to take a medical leave if the DR says it is a must and you can come back the next semester. If planned just right I would have the baby early summer and take my 3 month maternity leave from work and finish up my degree that fall.

We definetely have a lot to think and pray about but I really appreciate you all for your thoughts!

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Hi futurenurse!

I dont know how it is to be pregnant and to go to nursing school but I will know, because I am 14 Weeks pregnant and will go back to my 3rd Semester this Fall. My due date is January 25th, 2015 but my last semester of RN school will start the 21st...Its my first pregnancy and it was definitively not planned! Thanks to my husband I got pregnant one week after coming off the pill and was studying for my final for last spring semester (but i did not know it :D) Well I was very sick weeks 8-10 and got better but I am still vomiting acid in the morning now and then. I hope I will be a little better when I start in September. I want to have 3 children and I will turn 24 this summer, so it was time to start. However, if I could have planned it, I would have wait..maybe..I dont know. Maybe it was the right time, thus it happened :) . I am living with my in-laws and I changed from morning class to evening, so when my mother in law comes at 3, I will go at 4 till 7 and one 12 hours clinical on Saturday. I got As in both of my first 2 semesters so I will lay back and take it relaxed. I agree with you that family comes first. I have a strong will to do it and I believe that I can do it, so if you know yourself and trust-do it! ;) Let us know what your decision is. Take care.

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I had my second baby right smack in the middle of nursing school... unplanned! It makes a difficult time even more difficult but with even more determination, it is definitely possible.I even breasts feed the entire time through clinicals! Oh yeah and I should mention the lack of sleep...

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Trust me when I say I'm not trying to brag but I passed my exit HESI on the first try and passed my nclex in 75 questions...my point is...is be strong you can do it

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Hi,

I am just curious what you decided? I am in the same situation and wonder if you decided to conceive? Thanks and congrats on becoming a nurse!

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