Pregnant Students

faithshill · Dec 17, 2003

I HAVE JUST COMPLETED MY 5TH SEMESTER OF MY BSN PROGRAM(ONE MORE TO GO!) MY BABY IS THREE MONTHS OLD. I GAVE BIRTH THREE WEEKS BEFORE 5TH SEMESTER STARTED. I ALSO HAVE TWO OTHER CHILDREN 9 AND 4 YEARS OLD. I ALSO WORK P/T. IT IS DIFFICULT, BUT NOT AS DIFFICULT AS I THOUGHT IT WOULD BE. THE WORST PART WAS NOT BEING ABLE TO BE HOME WITH MY NEW BABY AS MUCH AS I WANTED, BUT AT LEAST HE WAS HOME WITH MY HUSBAND (WHO WORKS NIGHTS). AS FOR AS NURSING SCHOOL MAKING YOU STAY OUT A SEMESTER, I SUPPOSE IT DEPENDS ON WHERE YOU GO TO SCHOOL. MY SCHOOL, WAS VERY SUPPORTIVE AND DID NOT INTERFERE AT ALL. I REALLY HAVE NO REGRETS ABOUT HAVING MY BABY IN THE MIDDLE OF NURSING SCHOOL, I LIKED BEING ABLE TO COME HOME TO HIS SMILING FACE AFTER A STRESSFUL CLINICAL DAY. REMEMBER, IF YOU ARE DETERMINED, THERE IS NOTHING THAT CAN STOP YOU FROM SUCCEEDING.

TiffyRN, BSN, PhD · Dec 18, 2003

Back 12 years ago when I went to school we had 3 students pregnant during Nursing School. One started the 1st semester pregnant, gave birth a couple weeks in and was out about a month. She didn't intend to be out that long but her infant was born ill though she did recover completely and this nurse graduated with us. The second student got pregnant partway through, though not a planned pregnancy she was lucky enough to give birth while school was out. The 3rd student intentionally got pregnant the last semester with plans to give birth before boards. It all worked out for her. Our school though quite old fashioned in many ways didn't place any restrictions on the pregnant nurses or force them to stay out any longer than they wanted to.

The most memorable pregnant student I remember was not a classmate. I met her at state boards (back in the cave days, we had to gather in a major center in our state twice a year and have a big two day NCLEX testing). This poor lady was SO hugely pregnant. She wasn't there the second day and everyone noticed. They announced to the test takers that she had gone into labor and delivered between day 1 and day 2. Healthy baby girl, but. . . She would have to return 6 months later to retake the test.

nurseiam · Dec 20, 2003

I got pregnant in my 2nd year of my ADN program. I had a 5 yo and worked 2 part time jobs. We had several other people pregnant through out the program.

My school was NOT supportive. Our instructors told our class we had too much free time. Several of us had to repreat a quarter. When I repeated my 5th qtr. the instuctor had told my class that I needed to take 6 months off to take care of my baby. I had her right at the end of the qtr and missed 2 lectures but attended and completed all of my clinicals. I went back to class 5 days after a c-section(after laboring for 3 days). I did 8 hour clinicals post op days 6 and 7. Prior to my pregnancy I had a 4.0 GPA, my test average was 89%. I failed that instructors class by 3 points. On essay questions at that! The end result was I repeated the quarter then had to take the summer off so I graduated 6 months behind my class(sound funky to anyone else). I was sooo depressed that summer. My daughter is now 5 and I feel like I was so wrapped up in myself. Some girls made it through others took some time off.

I feel that if we had waited another year we would have had 2 more. But once I started my job and got all settled there would have been another 4-5 years between my kids. I love my girls but I don't want to raise children all my life!

So I guess after my long sob story I would say ask the others in your program. Good luck!

bluesky, BSN, RN · Dec 20, 2003

Well I dunno if I count, but I had my son during prereqs... I just took a week and 1/2 off and went back to work.. got lots of support and WAS working as a paramedic doing labor intensive stuff at the time.

One of my classmates recently had a baby girl and took just 1 week off. She was required to make up the two clinicals she missed so I wouldn't say the program was too supportive.

Whatever you decide to do I wish you the best of luck in your studies and childbearing!

:)

Lexi

KaroSnowQueen, RN · Dec 20, 2003

I was on the waiting list to get into LPN school twenty years ago, had been on the list for almost a year. When my turn came, they called me in April and told me I could begin in July. I did not tell them in April that I was already 2 mos. pregnant. When the dean saw me in July, she told me I should just quit, that nobody ever graduated who gave birth during the school year.

I went into labor on the Monday of finals week the first semester. My instructors came to the hospital and gave me my finals!!! I was in the hospital six days, as my baby had complications and my wonderful doctor lied and said I had an infection!!!

The next week we were off of classes, the next week after that we had basic first aid/CPR which I skipped and took later in the year. The next week was only two days because of Thanksgiving, and I went those two days, and the next week, the first of December I began full classes again.

It was hard, I hated leaving my baby, but I wanted to show that dean that I could too graduate!!! I also had two other children, ages 3 and 2 when this one was born!

Do a little planning, (which I didn't do, but it worked out well just the same, lol) and go ahead and have your babies!!!

LeesieBug · Dec 20, 2003

We had two students that had babies this semester. Neither one had problems with the instrucors, and both returned within a week or two. I thought they were nuts!!!! :eek: But they seemed to do fine with it, and that is what counts.

LeesieBug · Dec 20, 2003

She was required to make up the two clinicals she missed so I wouldn't say the program was too supportive.

I would tell anyone to EXPECT to make up missed work! Having a baby does not exclude you from completing course requirements.

RENAISSANCE RN · Dec 20, 2003

Hi,

I am pregnant now. I will be in my 8th month during clinicals. I will let you know how things go...

Good luck to you!

BRANDY LPN · Dec 21, 2003

I had my six year old during LPN school she was born at 35 wks but did great and I had a very supportive mother was able to quit her job and take care of my newborn and my two y/o. I del on wed. and was back in class mon. I did have to make up the clinicals I missed, and my instructer wouldnt let me back on the floor until I had a full release from my md (he gave me a no lift at two wks PP, but she said if someone fell I couldnt say I wouldnt catch em, as I had done that the day I PPROM'd :rolleyes: )

I wouldnt choose to do it again for anything in the world but it all worked out.

As another poster said it would be best to check with your school and find out their policies.

Good luck with whatever you decide!

kyti · Dec 21, 2003

I had my first child during my 2 week break between summer and fall quarter and my second (unplanned) the day after my 2day state boards (back in the stone age before computer testing) It was hard but can be done:)