Single moms in crna school

[CVICU14]

HI,

I will be starting CRNA school in January and looking to hear from any of the single mothers who are in school or have finished. Any advice? How did you balance? What did your study schedule look like?

Thanks in Advance:)

[kdlrn]

Hi CVICU14,

I am a single mom in my first semester of CRNA school. My situation is a little different than yours... I had to move 2 hours away for school and I come home on the weekends. My son's father has stepped up and keeps him during the week, which is nice. How old is your child(ren) and do you have a support system? That's huge. If you have reliable child care until around 4-5 pm during the week you can study until that time and then study after your child(ren) goes to sleep. Also, I have activities on the weekend (my son plays sports), and I just bring my notes with me and study during games. I make it a point to get up early on the weekends and study before my son wakes up as well. I hope this helps and good luck!

[CVICU14]

My son is four years of age. I have a good support system. I have the option to send him away but I don't want to just yet. I do have reliable child care from about 6/7 am until 8pm the latest.

[missnurse01, MSN, RN]

If things don't work out with the hubs then I will be a single mom! lol For me, it wouldn't feel as bad, although I have three they are older, youngest is 9, so they are a little more independent. But truly right now I see my family for dinner, and an occasional 1/2 hour board game or movie. Otherwise everyday, weekends included, I am studying in order to get good grades. You will never feel that you have enough time to study, or that you are ready for a test. I personally sleep only 4-5 hours a night, so I am up till midnight or so studying, then up at 0500 for the same. I would hire a nanny, so they could do most of the meals and housekeeping, and be there till the late evening. On the weekends the kids would play outside or inside, or watch an occasional movie, as you really can not dedicate a lot of time to the raising of them. With a young child, who requires more from you, it will be difficult if you have no one to come live with you and be like a second parent. Of course anything is doable, but doing it without going crazy is another story. I am fortunate my husband does so much - he is a stay at home dad. If things don't work between us, then it will be getting a nanny for part of the day.

very good luck to you and keep in touch with us here

[missnurse01, MSN, RN]

p.s., hey kd!

[kdlrn]

I understand why you want to keep your child with you (my son is twelve, but if he was younger I wouldn't have been able to do the long distance thing, it's hard enough even though he's older). I think you can totally be successful in school! You have reliable child care and a good support system, and those are really the two biggest things. I'm in the same program as missnurse and I am usually able to go to bed at a reasonable time and have some quality time with the kiddo during the weekend. Good luck and keep me posted :)