your thoughts on this

Cynthiann · Sep 12, 2003

I'm wondering why it's so important to have another one as soon as possible? Why not wait until after you finish school? I want to have more kids too but I'm definitely waiting to finish school first.

Jennerizer, ASN, RN · Sep 12, 2003

Probably because she doesn't want her kids to be 5 years apart in age.

You will find that many nursing programs will work with you during a pregnancy. A lot of students in these programs are men & women that do have families & they realize that during the course, they will see nursing students who are pregnant. Perhaps you should talk with someone at your school who is in charge of the nursing program to be sure that they are flexible when it comes to pregnancy & delivery---because as you said, you can't always predict when you'll get pregnant or deliver. I know a girl from my school delivered near the end of one semester. She was given a week off & then had to come back & complete what was necessary. That's not a lot of time, but at least she was able to complete the semester.

memphispanda, RN · Sep 12, 2003

I would think long and hard about what your goals are. Is the spacing of your children important enough to risk your schooling? Pregnancy and childbirth don't always go as planned. What if you had to be on bedrest? What if your baby has some sort of problems? Areyou certain you would be able to go back to school when you plan to? I don't think I would have tried it with a new baby, but there are a couple of girls in my class who had new babies when we started out.

renerian, BSN, RN · Sep 12, 2003

Good point Panda. I had placenta previa with number two and was on bedrest for 5 months with a 1 1/2 year old. Was awful.

renerian

mujer · Sep 12, 2003

My SIL was in the program and she went with a girl who had a baby and she had to make up the course. My SIL was pregnant during her last year of school!

Ortho_RN · Sep 12, 2003

I was going to try and get pregnant and time it so I would be due in the summer, but I started about all the things that COULD go wrong... My school doesn't give special considerations to pregnant women... If you miss more than the 12hrs or so you are allowed then you must withdraw.

I would honestly look and what you priorities are and go from that... Me and my brother have 5yrs between us, and we are fine... I WANT to be a nurse, and be able to give my kids things, so finishing school had to become top priority over getting pregnant..

marilynmom, LPN, NP · Sep 12, 2003

Me and my sister are 5 years apart and we are closer than me and my brother who are only 14 months apart. Me and my sister are like best friends! Just wanted to say that.

I personally would not want to have a baby while in nursing school. Like someone else said pregnancy, labor and babies dont always go as planned. My first daughter had horrible colick for MONTHS and there would have been NO WAY in h*ll I could have done any studying or be in school when she was a baby, she was a very high needs baby. She also was born *very* unexpectidly sick (meconium asperation) and I suffered from post partum depression the whole first year. When my second daughter was born everything went very smoothly and there were no problems at all with anything and I have been able to successfully breastfeed her. Two totally different experiences. I want to have more kids as well (just one more! lol) but I will wait until I am out of school.

I just wanted to offer my experiences. But this is something that you and your husband have to really sit down and talk about. What is your schools policy on pregnancy and missing classes and taking time off to have your baby? How important is having another child right away compared to Nursing school?

Just sit down and decide what your priorites are in the next few years. How do you feel about being away from your kids and possible a new baby for long periods of time? I think those are all good questions to ask yourself.

Marilyn

TeresaRN2b · Sep 12, 2003

I did it. It can be done. If having another baby is a priority for you it can be done. I know I am the oddball, but I have 5 children and am doing it. I had my 5th baby and had the whole summer off and am currently breastfeeding. It is a lot of work, but it can be done. The only thing I would really make sure of is that you will have a very good support system. You will need more support than just your hubby. You will need friend's shoulders to cry on. I am not going to lie to you either though. It is twice as hard to study and get your work done. You will not get to spend the time with your kids that you want to. Your husband may wind up being the primary caretaker. It can be done and if that is truly where your heart is then yes you can do it. That being said before you make any decisions look hard at your support systems. If you don't have anyone else to turn to for help besides your husband it will be difficult. My husband and I are both from very big families and all of them are willing to help us out. I have been home for 5 years and helped many of them out over the years and now they are reciprocating the favor. Good luck in your decision.

Teresa

Cynthiann · Sep 13, 2003

Teresa, you are very lucky that you have such a great support system. I know that if I had that, things would be so much easier. I guess my opinion on the situation is a little biased because the only person I can depend on is my husband. My husband has some family here but they are all to busy with their own life to help out.

I definitely agree, your support system is the most important thing to look at when considering what to do in this situation.

mujer · Sep 13, 2003

Teresa-I have a very large support system. My dh doesn't work a 9-5 either. He has 2.5 days off during the week. My mom only works until 2:30. My dad doesn't work...the list goes on and on. They have already said they will help. This doesn't even include my neighbor who SAH. My best friend. My other SIL.

I think I can do it. I never thought it would be easy. I already have my prerequisites done. I will be taking my co's in the spring, applying shortly after, if I get in I would start Fall 2004.

Thanks for the support!

fahfu · Sep 13, 2003

... HI I ATTEND LONG ISLAND UNIVERSITY, THE BROOKLYN

CAMPUS OF NEW YORK. I'VE JUST STARTED THE NURSING, BS PROGRAM PART-TIME,

AND PART TIME EQUALS 3 YEARS BEFORE I CAN TAKE THE NCLEX-RN EXAM. SINCE

3 YEARS IS A STRETCH, IM INTERESTED IN TAKING THE NCLEX-LPN, IN THE

MEANTIME, SO I CAN PAY OFF CURRENT SCHOOLING. THAT MONEY & EXPERIENCE

SHOULD PROVIDING ME THE WAY OF TAKING THE NCLEX-RN AT THE END OF MY 3

YEARS AT LIU. MY PROBLEM IS THAT I HAVE NO EXPERIENCE, AND I WOULD LIKE

TO SIT FOR THE NCLEX-LPN THIS NOVEMBER. NOW IM NOT SURE WHAT TO DO FOR

PREPARATION. SHOULD I ONLY JUST BYE ONE OF THOSE NCLEX REVIEW BOOKS?

LIKE THATS NO EXPERIENCE AT ALL!, OR MAYBE I SHOULD TAKE THIS FREE 2

WEEK,HOME HEALTH AIDE COURSE/PERSONAL CARE AIDE COURSE IN ADDITION TO MY

NCLEX REVIEW BOOK, PLEASE WRITE BACK!!!!

P.S

IM DEFINITELY NOT SO INTERESTED IN TAKING A 10-18MONTH LPN COURSE. THAT

WOULD BE COSTLY AND DEMANDS FULL TIME SCHOOLING, I CANT JUGGLE PART TIME

AND FULL TIME DRAMA AT ONCE. YA SEE MY GOAL IS TO HAVE THAT LPN LICENCE

BY THE BEGINNING OF 2004, TO HELP PAY FOR MY RN-SCHOOLING, MONEY IS

EXTREMELY TIGHT FOR ME, NEED ADVICE NOW, PLEASE!!!!