How do you handle all 'other' responsibilites while in nursing school??

Students LPN/LVN Students

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Hi everyone :D

I have been in an LPN program for about a month so far (yep, 14 more to go! lol) So far, it's been going pretty well with A LOT of hard work and dedication to my studies (except for one small test, but that is another story....)

Anyway, what I am having trouble with right now is prioritizing all the "other" responsibilities in my life besides nursing school - I have 20 month old twins, one who is 'special needs' (has a g-tube and feeding difficulties). Not just them, but the simple things from cleaning to paying bills to doing the laundry......With all the studying, WHO HAS THE TIME?!?!?! Seriously. Everything is a mess and I feel like my children are ignored by me constantly (my mom watches them all the time, and I still feel like it's not enough!) My mom ends up doing my laundry and cleaning with she is here and I feel so badly about it....:bluecry1:

Luckily, I do not work....Really, I don't know how people can possibly work and go to nursing school. I know it is only for the short-term, but I am so far away from the goal I am feeling really burdened right now. I knew nursing school was hard, but I thought since I didn't work that I could handle all the other many responsibilities I have. I don't like relying on my mom as she is/has gone through a lot in the past year and I feel she can't completely handle the twins for a long period of time, but I have no choice right now!

Is it normal to feel this way? I guess this is just turning into a rant, lol....Don't really know where I am going with this. Looking for some encouragement I guess! I am really scared as the school I go to is very difficult, only 10-15% usually pass in the end. Yes, you read that right! Last class, they began with 30 nursing students and only THREE (3!!!) graduated! How is that for intimidation? :banghead: I NEED to be in the minority here. No choice :nono: My family is depending on me greatly, not to mention I want this SO badly!!!

Lady01

28 Posts

Nursing school is hard on the home life. You have to make a plan of what you want to accomplish each day. I am the worst at putting things off. I actually have been writing out list of thing to make sure I do each week. I usually try to get an early start on any homework assignments. I spend between 2-4 hrs a day studying. Nursing school forces you to get organized. There have been times when I didn't know if I was coming or going. You just have to stay focused on the big prize. You will be a NURSE when it is all over.

duranurse

31 Posts

yes, i feel the same way. i have 2 children, ages 6 and 8 and i feel like i am constantly putting them on the backburner. school has really taken over my life. i just recently found out that i am expecting my third child, and i have been so exhausted! not to mention going to school 3 days a week and clinicals 2 days a week. i have no time to study or clean my house or spend time with my family. it's very frustrating!:banghead:

BubbysMa

49 Posts

Specializes in ED, Geriatrics/Alzheimers, Peds.

Just think...in years from now, this will all be worth is. Thats what I, and my best friend, had to tell me these past 2 yrs. You are not alone!

I am a single mom, with a now 2 yr old, and have finally just graduated nursing school. It was the hardest 2 yrs of my life, literally.

I entered nursing school with an infant by luck, and the only help I had was my mom who watched him while I had class or clinicals. My mom use to always argue with me, and say that I was basically selfish for going to school, but that was the only chance I had after being rejected 3 other times. She use to get mad at me, and have an attitude for me having clinicals, class, plus having to work because I had no one to help me.

It was financially, emotionally, mentally, and physically draining. It was very hard to study/concentrate with a small one around and not having any quiet time to myself to study/review....But...I lived when I really thought i wouldn't.

I have learned through this, that sometimes, even if you have to upset others (like my mom), you need to put yourself first regardless of what anyone thinks or expects from you. A few years is not a lifetime, but from those few years, you will be able to provide a lifetime with minimum struggle for yourself and your little ones, and when they are older, they will thank you and respect you for that.

The entire time, I had to tell myself that this is for my child to have a better life and I would get through it for him.

You are motivated and determined. Keep the determination/motivation/ and your family in mind, and you will get through this. Whenever you feel doubt, get upset, and feel overwhelmed, just think of your little ones. It is normal to cry, bury your head in your pillows at night, pull out your hair, gain/lose weight, and forget about cleaning for a long time! I still haven't cleaned my room since the before my finals, and don't plan on it until I pass my Nclex.

SynCardia, BSN

17 Posts

I hope this helps but Feel blessed your mother can help you and stop feeling bad about it. I know its easier said than done but i would feel the same way when i ask somebody for help. It took me 2 semesters to start just being thankful for peolpe helping me instead of feeling like im burdening them. I'm in my last semester and i could never and still dont have a system down on paying bills on time playing with the kids and just trying to be a mother and wife hell im 7 months pregnant and hardly been to any of my prenatal appt. school has consumed my life too. i know excatly how you feel just keep focused and there is light at the end of the tunnel. When you get down and overwelmed look at your babies a new house a new car what ever motivates and say i can and will do it. Dont let negative thoughts consume you cause it will spill over in your preformance at school. good luck

Specializes in Pediatrics, Geriatrics, LTC.

My problem exactly! I'm doing great in school, and the workload, although hard is bearable; it's all the other parts of my life that I feel are slipping. You have to get super organized. You are amazingly lucky to have your mother helping, please remember to thank her every day!

Star33

18 Posts

I too have 1 year old twins plus a 3 year old toddler. I go to school at night though so, when my husband takes over with the kids, it's usually just dinner and then bed time. Anyway, the most important thing is that you have help and a great support system. It sounds like your mom is great. Just thank her for helping you :) When you complete the program it will be so worth it. It's only short term as you said. The way I see it is as long as the kids are clean and fed everything else is not as important. Yea, I feel guilty sometimes I am here during the day with my books open instead of playing with them, but it is what it is right now. The program only lasts so long and it is a really good future for everyone. Keep up the good work! I am here if you want to chat :)

Specializes in DD, PD/Agency Peds, School Sites.

You can do it! Keep your expectations realistic and prioritize like crazy. It's okay to ask for help and it's normal to go a little nuts sometimes. This is a great place to share your feelings. You'll be an incredible nurse someday with excellent time-management skills, among many other things.

vintagestudent

101 Posts

Specializes in Just started in HH.

I don't handle the "other" responsibilities: my mom and husband do. There's no way on earth I can juggle nursing school and family life w/o sacrificing one or the other. For now, my family is the sacrifice. Still, I remind my children (all 4 of them) that it won't be forever; they'll get mom back this coming summer. ;)

Oh, and let the housework go...you'd laugh if you saw me, but sometimes I wear the same pants twice in a row because there isn't enough time to do daily laundry. Yeah, it's shameful to admit, but, oh well, just being honest. :mad:

And, yes, take time to verbally thank your mom for helping you with the kids and such. My mom will receive acknowledgement for her dedication to helping me achieve this goal on graduation day, as will my hubby.

The road is arduous, but the end is worth it. Hang in there, fellow mom/student.:)

Wishing you much success.

ZanatuBelmont

278 Posts

Specializes in Rehabilitation; LTC; Med-Surg.
Hi everyone :D

With all the studying, WHO HAS THE TIME?!?!?! !!!

Two words: time management.

Just started second semester and am doing Med-Surg clinical rotations three days a week. I now understand that it's about time management, and it's difficult in nursing school (it's made that way) because nursing, in general, is ALL about time management. Who gets your attention first, person with the UTI or the client with BP 100/90? When do you start preparing your med rounds? How often do you check on a patient? Etc, etc..

You can do it, I have five more months to go, so excited!

vintagestudent

101 Posts

Specializes in Just started in HH.
Two words: time management.

Just started second semester and am doing Med-Surg clinical rotations three days a week. I now understand that it's about time management, and it's difficult in nursing school (it's made that way) because nursing, in general, is ALL about time management. Who gets your attention first, person with the UTI or the client with BP 100/90? When do you start preparing your med rounds? How often do you check on a patient? Etc, etc..

You can do it, I have five more months to go, so excited!

So true, so true. It's all about time management and prioritizing. Still learning the skills with 3.5 months to go:D. I know I won't have mastered all of them by the time graduation rolls around, but I'm encouraged in many ways with the progress I've made thus far.

FYI: I came into my accelerated program with zero experience in healthcare...just 25 years of marriage to a good man and 4 children to raise up and a heart to serve our ill and suffering. If I can do it, many of you can too.

Press on fellow students! Our nation's ill need well-rounded, competent, caring nurses of all ages and backgrounds.:heartbeat Don't forget to stop once in a while to smell the fragrant roses.

89**11

70 Posts

Well you are indeed blessed and when you have a moment do something special for your mother and constantly thank her and let her know how much she is truly appreciated. I am young and have a 4yr old and a 9month old and my mother and father are deceased. I thank the lord everyday for my fiancee and his mother for helping us. I was just like you in the beginning feeling bad about her coming over and cooking and cleaning and taking the boys out to nap and etc. However, you begin to realize this is a short period of time I have four more months left three actually after next week I graduate in June and I have helped her the best way I knew how. When she needs extra cash I am there, when she needs extra groceries, I am there. Give and you shall receive and vise verse it's a beautiful thing and even more in the long run when you will be able to provide for you and your family after this and give your mother back a gift for her hard work and dedication to. The first thing our instructors said on the first day of nursing school was. Go home tonight and give your family a hug and a kiss and tell them that you will see them in a year. Let go and let god and be thankful and keep your eyes on the prize no matter what. Good luck!!!:yeah:

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