NP school with a toddler

flipper628 · Apr 30, 2014

I have an 18th month old and a 7 week old. I work m-f 730 to 330 and will stay that way until clinicals. I took 1 class this semester but plan on doing 2 from here on out. My plan is to just wing it, lol. Just gonna take it as it comes. My husband is really supportive so that's a major help. My program is B&M with some online and hybrid classes.

IrishIzCPNP, MSN, RN, APRN, NP · Apr 30, 2014

I have 5 kids...3 up to teenagers. I'm doing PNP. It isn't always easy but I need to get it done...we make it work.

OCRN3 · Apr 30, 2014

When I did my FNP I was working Monday thru Friday, had to five that up for a per diem floor job. It was the most flexible and allowed me the most time with family and school.

zmansc, ASN, RN · Apr 30, 2014

I have two teenagers who often act like their maturity level is that of a toddler, does that count?

Bornleader-NP-C · Apr 30, 2014

I have a 6 month old and I'm working on obtaining my fnp degree..I work prn..you can do it

kingkarlsky · May 1, 2014

I'm going to start my fnp program this summer and i have 2 kids too. I'm working prn too, so i hope we can make it.. Good luck!

MBrickle · May 2, 2014

I'm planning on starting NP school and trying to get pregnant at the same time. Not the ideal, but it's the plan that works best for us. I figure I can always take a semester off or only take one course when I'm due/the couple of months after birth whichever semester that will fall under.

I also work full time.

For me, we are prepared for me to stop working/per diem when that happens. I currently work 50-60hrs/week and am taking 20 credits this semester to finish my BSN (next week, yay!) but we know that I can't do full time school, full time work and have a baby. Work will be what we cut out and we are prepared to do so.

It also helps that my mother is retiring and will be a free source of child care. I think having a plan in place financially and child care-wise is prudent. A supportive husband helps as well! Luckily my husband is my biggest cheerleader.

MBrickle · May 2, 2014

Just to clarify, I'm doing the NP program part-time. Will work per diem/part time and will have the baby. Full time school wouldn't work with this set-up!

nervousnynurse · May 4, 2014

As having graduated an FNP program, I can say it wasn't always easy with a little one but it was doable. I was pregnant during my second semester of school and throughout the summer semester. I took off the fall semester to deliver my son and then was back to it in he spring. I know of people who continued right after delivering. As for the spring semester that was my last non-clinical semester. I did clinicals that summer with a 6 math old, had to drive over an hour away from home for clinicals and was working full-time along with taking 2 classes a semester. What did I learn from this whole experience? It is very draining and some days I got no sleep but I realized where my support system was. Many of us have children before or during our program so therefore it is very doable. Good luck with everything. As the motto I like to use..."Just keep swimming..."

raeenna · May 7, 2014

thanks for all your responses! Unfortunately my program of choice only offers Full Time now, so that is my main dilemma! Have to decide by next week. I am lucky to have a very supportive husband, so I know we can make it work if its in the cards. Good luck to everyone who is in school now as well..!