Accelerated OU program and two small children

I will be graduating from OU's 2nd degree program in a few weeks. I do not have children, but my closest friend in my class has 2 daughters age 3 and 6. Not only did she make it, she made it with honors. There were many moms in my class who will be graduating.

As far as hours studying, I would say plan on a few hours a day on average. The program can become pretty intense at times, especially during the first clinical rotations. Many of the classes are taught in shortened sections within the semester and the second semester consists of 17 credit hours.

For a parent of small children, your biggest problem might become the frequent changes to schedule. Its important to understand that just because you have those kiddos at home doesn't mean that you will get special treatment. Throughout the past year we have had many changes to our schedule for both lecture and clinical. You also may be placed in off hour or weekend clinical rotations. I think for my classmates with children, this has been the biggest challenge.

I graduated June, 2007. One of my classmates was a mother of 5 school age children. She did well and seemed to keep the family going at the same time. It can be done. I think the key though is an understanding, supportive family.

Cheers,
Dave

It will be a challenge but it can and has been done. Its important that you have a supportive family. Make sure you communicate with them well and often. They need to know your schedule just as well as you do and be sure to let them know that there will be changes from time to time. Try not depending on just 1 or 2 family members to watch the kids {if they are not going to day care} utilize responsible sisters, or aunts, BFF's Dad's family etc although its good to have stability with your children sometimes you may need to give your primary care relative a little relief from time to time if they become ill or have an appointment etc.

Also take into acount the extra time outside of school or clinicals that you will need {3-4 hours a day} to study and how and who will take care of your kids during that stretch. I'm not in Nursing School yet but I will be in May 08 and I have 2 children 3 and 5 years old. Who will watch them PLAGUES me. There will be times where I have to be at clinical at 7 am and they don't have to be in school until 8am who will take them... who will pick them up... what if there is a snow day... a half day...

This is where communication and family support are essential so believe me I understand where you are coming from and you have a little time to make plans backup plans just-in-case-plans. Its a small sacrifice for such a big payoff you'll make it work. If you are really concerned find out your options. Maybe you'll want to do the traditional program in its full length and that is just fine too.

Yes I completely understand. No need to explain :} Have u found any other accelerated OU program threads of students currently in the pgm? Also it wouldn't help to contact the school {I don't know if you've had orientation just yet} and pick somebody's brain that has time to talk for a minute. Be sure you have your questions ready and well articulated; maybe you can get a heads up regarding your "theoretical schedule" it may be a little different considering its accelerated. BTW how many months is it?

To answer your questions: I will be attending an accelerated pgm through Henry Ford Health System partnered with HFCC. I heard they do some partnering with OU as well would you happen to be in that pgm?

As far as starting school at my kids ages. I've been in school since my daugher was 1 and son 3. Seems better to me the younger they are the least likely they are to remember you not being there for them as much being that Nursing School is over quick {although it seems like forever}. I also plan on returning for my BSN and then pursue my CRNA. Any future plans for you?

I just finished an accelerated BSN pgm (12 months from OU). I think the other posters had some great ideas and comments and I agree with all of them. I have an 11 & 14 yr old. And a great husband that took over everything I was doing with them (homework, picking up/dropping off, meals, etc) so I could spend almost all my time out of class studying. I usually did not study on fridays and just watched TV with the family. I did absolutely study on sat and sunday and sometimes all day sat and sun. Like you I could not afford to not work for more than 1 yr so the pgm was perfect for me. You will need a lot of study time. Don't go in thinking you can study and hour or two late at night and that will be enough. BUT, it is absolutely doable. AND, it is only 12 months. I would like to add that planning is a big part. Read all these posts to your support system so they know what you (and they) are getting into. Tell them you will need them to be you for the length of the program but that it will be over in 12 months (if yours is 12 months, I assume it is). Know you will probably feel guilty that you will not spend much time with your family for the next year. My kids are older but even I got the "You're studying AGAIN" routine? Make sure you have backups if your kids get sick or need something that you would normally give them but can't since you are in school. I did not do much except school and study the whole year. My house was a mess, the outside even worse, and I never picked up a non-text book to read during that time. I hope I am not scaring you off. It is hard. But you CAN do it. Repeat. You CAN do it. Others have. Many of my class had very young children. One was delivering in the last 2 months of the program. The only ones that dropped out were those who had no help from anyone else and had to miss clinicals or not study because their children needed to be picked up from school or were sick. And just think, after this relatively short period of time, you will have no trouble getting a job and can work 3-12's and be with your kids and your family a lot. There is also a unique side to all this. My husband has grown so close to my 2 kids. Closer than I would have ever thought. I believe that without this time with them, he would never have forged such a bond. He may have been "forced" into it but it turned out good. Also, it's easy to forget you also have a husband who will miss you. I guess because he is an adult and we just expect him to understand. So maybe once a month take some time just with him. I also noticed that some times during the program were easier for me. Everyone had different times. So I spent more time with my family then. I truly believe you can do it.

I am still in the process of taking my pre-nursing courses for OU, but I will be in your shoes and it scares me too. I have a two year old and I am very nervous about being able to keep up with the demand of the 2nd degree program. I loved reading these posts because it gives me hope that I too can complete this degree even though I have a young child.

I do have a question for you though, Lisa621...
Once you had your interview w/ OU, how long do you have to wait
until you actually can start the progam? What I want to know is, how many semesters are in between the interview and the actual start date of the progam they assign you to?

I don't know if I can answer all your questions.... But I applied in December and got accepted into the January 09' start... Over a year to wait.... I believe they changed the way they are accepting students though, which could be good and could be bad... You NEED to talk to Kristine White at OU about their policy now... I think this site is great to get some info but DO NOT rely on what people say on here about school policy you will end up being very upset when someone tells you what their view is and then you realize that the truth is not what you had relied on.... Just my advice.... And as far as the interview they waived mine because of my GPA but from what I have heard and read on here they waive it for almost everyone since everyone who gets accepted has a very high GPA.... GOOD LUCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!