Newborn while in nursing school?

Nursing Students Pre-Nursing

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My husband and I have decided to have a baby now since I found out that I'm still going to be on the waiting list for another semester and won't be starting the program until Fall 07. We don't want to wait until I'm done

(2 1/2 years from now) and I would like to avoid going through a pregnancy during the program. Is anyone else in the same boat? Or will anyone else have a newborn or infant during the program? We have a strong support system but the only thing that concerns us is that I will feel like I won't be able to spend enough quality time with our new baby once I begin the hard workload that comes along with nursing school.

You know, there is very little else you want on your calendar during nursing school. That said, babies don't wait for anyone and life goes quickly. I recommend that if you do decide to have a baby now, you don't plan on working as well. When you do have kids in nursing school, plan plenty of time with them. You'll never regret it.

Here are my thoughts.

I wouldn't have a newborn at any point during nursing school. While finishing your pre-req's, yes, maybe, but not during Nursing school.

I had my daughter last year in September. I was lucky enough to be taking an online course (actually 2) at the time. But I will tell you, with the sleep deprivation and the needs of a newborn, if you are in the actual nursing classes, I don't see how it's possible. I'm sure it is, but it would be extremely hard. Your newborn is going to need YOU after he/she is born for quite some time.

With my daughter being 1 now, my DH is able to take care of her more often than when she was newborn. When she was newborn, he didn't know what to do for her - Mommy did everything. So, really think about it. It looks like your saying you would start the nursing classes in Fall of 2007 (but then you said something about 2 1/2 years, so I got a little confused). Just remember that the Nursing portion is going to take up much of your time and like the pp said, a child won't wait!! Especially at such a young age!! Newborns are very demanding!

In my honest opinion, it would be much easier for me to get through school if I didn't have a child. I absolutely 100% love my daughter and wouldn't trade her for the world and wouldn't change a thing, but I have been through school both without and with a child and I will say, without was much easier, and I am only referring to classes that didn't require too much of my time...once I start the nursing is when the real test will be, but with even just the pre-req's, it's a challenge. (Especially with a DH who doesn't offer his help very often).

Just really think about the time you will spend away from your child with school. It's going to be torture for me when I have to leave her for so many hours. The years you spend in school will fly by, then think about kids.

Good luck in whatever you decide, but I would say just wait. No reason to rush it if it's not necessary...JMO. (and for the record, my daughter was not planned...and as I said, I wouldn't change a thing).

Lori

Here are my thoughts.

I wouldn't have a newborn at any point during nursing school. While finishing your pre-req's, yes, maybe, but not during Nursing school.

I had my daughter last year in September. I was lucky enough to be taking an online course (actually 2) at the time. But I will tell you, with the sleep deprivation and the needs of a newborn, if you are in the actual nursing classes, I don't see how it's possible. I'm sure it is, but it would be extremely hard. Your newborn is going to need YOU after he/she is born for quite some time.

With my daughter being 1 now, my DH is able to take care of her more often than when she was newborn. When she was newborn, he didn't know what to do for her - Mommy did everything. So, really think about it. It looks like your saying you would start the nursing classes in Fall of 2007 (but then you said something about 2 1/2 years, so I got a little confused). Just remember that the Nursing portion is going to take up much of your time and like the pp said, a child won't wait!! Especially at such a young age!! Newborns are very demanding!

In my honest opinion, it would be much easier for me to get through school if I didn't have a child. I absolutely 100% love my daughter and wouldn't trade her for the world and wouldn't change a thing, but I have been through school both without and with a child and I will say, without was much easier, and I am only referring to classes that didn't require too much of my time...once I start the nursing is when the real test will be, but with even just the pre-req's, it's a challenge. (Especially with a DH who doesn't offer his help very often).

Just really think about the time you will spend away from your child with school. It's going to be torture for me when I have to leave her for so many hours. The years you spend in school will fly by, then think about kids.

Good luck in whatever you decide, but I would say just wait. No reason to rush it if it's not necessary...JMO. (and for the record, my daughter was not planned...and as I said, I wouldn't change a thing).

Lori

I am with you on this one. I have an 8 year old in 3rd grade, he is also in Scouts and on the swim team...he has difficulty with writing, reading, has endless orthodontist appt. and will require surgery here in the near future for being '"tongue tied" The daily toil with children can zap everything out of you if you do things 'right' and are involved in your children's life. By the end of the day I am also zapped.

I am sure that it could be done and many have done it that way, but it would clearly be done at the expense of the newborn....Kids aren't accessories, you need to spend time with them. I strongly believe that newborns and infants need to be with their mothers. I waited until they were weaned and ready for pre-school before I started venturing out again. You can have anything just maybe not at the same time ????

Ok, flack come on and hit me.......

I say don't do it!

My daughter just turned two-months-old and I have a 13-year-old. I was supposed to start A&PII on 10/16 but I had to drop it because she is demanding way too much of my time right now. I thought it would be so easy...I would finish A&PI one week before my due date; do A&PII 8 weeks later...apply for Spring 07 entry etc. It's so not working out that way. I have no time to study right now and even if I did my brain is mush from sleep deprivation. I am not saying that it's impossible but I want to give you a realistic perspective from someone with a young infant. Also, A&PII is only one class...what I would do if I were in nursing school and I had clinicals?

Now I have to change my plans (sigh) again. I am going to do a LPN program if I can get in for Sept 07 since my mother has agreed to be my sitter. I would rather do the 10month program and transition slowly to being an RN since getting the LPN license will give me more schedule flexibility than my current profession.

P.S.

I am not saying that it can't be done. I am just saying that it is exponentially more difficult with a very young child. With enough child care you can attend nursing school. It's just that once that baby gets here you may not WANT to leave it. I had all of these plans when the little one was in my belly but once I met her idea of leaving her for hours and hours with a stranger became anathema to me.

Specializes in Nurse Scientist-Research.

I saw a a few nursing students do this while I was in school and it was incredibly hard. And they had to give birth between semesters because there was only one allowed absence from clinicals (fortunately all of them were due either between semesters or after graduation). Also the chances of you finishing nursing school go down if you have this baby before graduation.

Do like everyone else; get your first job in nursing and promptly get pregnant.

It's doable but incredibly hard. Nursing school is stressful enough without adding a infant that needs you so much to the mix.

Specializes in NICU.
I saw a a few nursing students do this while I was in school and it was incredibly hard. And they had to give birth between semesters because there was only one allowed absence from clinicals (fortunately all of them were due either between semesters or after graduation). Also the chances of you finishing nursing school go down if you have this baby before graduation.

Do like everyone else; get your first job in nursing and promptly get pregnant.

It's doable but incredibly hard. Nursing school is stressful enough without adding a infant that needs you so much to the mix.

There is no perfect plan. The learning curve really just begins when you graduate and start working. Getting pregnant and taking a leave during the first year of working as a nurse isn't much easier than being doing it during school. I've seen a lot of nurses try to do it and they never really get into the groove of nursing because that precious first year is interrupted. Plus they don't have much sick/vacation time saved up at all so they have to take very very short, often mostly unpaid maternity leaves.

I say have babies whenever you want - life will go on no matter what. If you plan and plan and plan...you might find out that life doesn't always cooperate.

Thank you all for your wonderful advice and input! Well I'm happy to say that after weighing the pros and cons we have decided to wait 2-3 years until I graduate to start having children. I tried to imagine what our lives would be like once I begin the program, having school 4 days a week, 8 hrs a day, and then having to work part-time 2 days a week, and STILL find time for homework/studying, AND spending quality time with my husband and new baby. I don't think I would be a very happy mother or wife! I couldn't imagine having to spend so much time away from my baby as I feel it is so important to be able to have that time to bond.

Wish me luck! And thanks again I wish for many blessings to you all :wink2:.

Specializes in Critical care, Pediatris & Geriatrics.
thank you all for your wonderful advice and input! well i'm happy to say that after weighing the pros and cons we have decided to wait 2-3 years until i graduate to start having children. i tried to imagine what our lives would be like once i begin the program, having school 4 days a week, 8 hrs a day, and then having to work part-time 2 days a week, and still find time for homework/studying, and spending quality time with my husband and new baby. i don't think i would be a very happy mother or wife! i couldn't imagine having to spend so much time away from my baby as i feel it is so important to be able to have that time to bond.

wish me luck! and thanks again i wish for many blessings to you all :wink2:.

best of luck to you & your husband..:nurse:

Thank you all for your wonderful advice and input! Well I'm happy to say that after weighing the pros and cons we have decided to wait 2-3 years until I graduate to start having children. I tried to imagine what our lives would be like once I begin the program, having school 4 days a week, 8 hrs a day, and then having to work part-time 2 days a week, and STILL find time for homework/studying, AND spending quality time with my husband and new baby. I don't think I would be a very happy mother or wife! I couldn't imagine having to spend so much time away from my baby as I feel it is so important to be able to have that time to bond.

Wish me luck! And thanks again I wish for many blessings to you all :wink2:.

Good luck to you both!! And when the time is right, it's just right!! Your decision in the end!! Best of luck!

Thank you all for your wonderful advice and input! Well I'm happy to say that after weighing the pros and cons we have decided to wait 2-3 years until I graduate to start having children. I tried to imagine what our lives would be like once I begin the program, having school 4 days a week, 8 hrs a day, and then having to work part-time 2 days a week, and STILL find time for homework/studying, AND spending quality time with my husband and new baby. I don't think I would be a very happy mother or wife! I couldn't imagine having to spend so much time away from my baby as I feel it is so important to be able to have that time to bond.

Wish me luck! And thanks again I wish for many blessings to you all :wink2:.

Good luck :wink2:

Hey there everyone! I am new to this site and would like to say that reading everyones reviews and comments show lots of support and encouragement; That is why I joined lol :D

Anyways, my problem is that I am getting ready to have a baby in November 2011. I got into nursing school and I will go back in February 2012 t. I will not have to work and I also qualified for a day care program/voucher in my area. I am uneasy about the thought of leaving my newborn at a nursery for 4 hours a day/ 5 days a week. Does anyone think its unreasonable or harmful to leave a newborn that young at day care??

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