what would you do?

salsaking · Aug 2, 2007

Hello everyone!!! I want to start nursing school in the Spring, the problem is I am pregnant and I am also due in Jan.2008. My problem is that I don't know if I should sit out with the baby or take my chances with a newborn and four other kids and the wok of a student nurse. I do have help but I dont know if the workload for nursing school and a newborn goes well with each other. I really want to attend school and I don't think it is necessary to sit out for eight months. What do you guys think? I have to make a decision by Sept. Thank you!!!

Not trying to sound rude or anything but the kid comes first, don't take a spot from someone else who is trying desperately to get in and has planned their life accordingly.

coolpeach · Aug 2, 2007

Only you can decide what is right for you. I will tell you that in the program I am apply for you are only allowed to miss 3 days in a two year period. I have older kids and find that stressful. I am not sure you will be able to do it with a newborn. They need lots of well check-ups, shots, and seem to get sick more. Maybe if you have a really great support system and someone who could watch him and take him to the doctor if he gets sick. Otherwise, I would say no to wait until he gets settled.

xNursePinkx2b · Aug 2, 2007

I agree with the others. Maybe if this baby was your only child, but with 4 other children, I could not imagine! But of course, it's up to you.

LMRN10 · Aug 2, 2007

I agree with the others. Maybe if this baby was your only child, but with 4 other children, I could not imagine! But of course, it's up to you.

Ultimately, it is your decision, but I would say that a newborn and nursing school are not going to mix well. As a mom of four already, you know how demanding newborns are. I would say it would be better for you and your new baby (and the other 4 kids) if you wait it out til the next semester starts. Even if this was your only child...a newborn is a newborn. Very exhausting and from what I understand, so are the Nursing classes! Just sounds like a not so good combo to me...devote your time to your new little one and the other kids and then next Fall, you'll be able to focus a little more on Nursing. JMO!

Good luck with your decision.

JBGC4 · Aug 2, 2007

I think that if you go ahead w/ your plans on attending school you most likely will wish you would have waited. You don't need any of us to tell you how difficult getting a load of laundry done w/ a newborn is (since you have four children already) little alone, managing four children, a newborn, school, and clinicals. What if baby is colicky? Baby will be born right in the smack dab of cold and flu season. I would take some time off and concentrate on this new life. This way, when you do return to school, baby will be on schedule by then, sleeping through the night, won't be as dependent on feedings and you will be able to focus, focus, focus on school. -this is just what I would do although I can understand your anguish. Good Luck

casi, ASN, RN · Aug 2, 2007

The decision is up to you, but I know quite a few people who are in nursing school with new babies. So it is doable if you have a good support system.

apnea · Aug 2, 2007

Not trying to sound rude or anything but the kid comes first, don't take a spot from someone else who is trying desperately to get in and has planned their life accordingly.

Wow. i think that's the snarkiest thing i've read on this entire site, and I'VE been posting for months. Nice work.

To the OP, if it were me, i'd sit it out for a semester and take it up in the fall. But i have, logistically, basically zero support here. If you've maybe got a live in grandmother or someone who can pretty much take over the kids when you have to study, it's doable. But you've done this four times, you know how insane life is with a new little one.

The WORST thing you can do is end up being the sole caregiver for five little munchkinheads AND a full time nursing student, then fail at one or the other...or both. If you've got enough support, if YOU think you can swing it, go for it. You deserve this just as much as anyone else. But anyone who thinks less of you for putting it off for a semester (or even a year) doesn't have an opinion worth considering :icon_hug:

chill65 · Aug 3, 2007

Thanks for all your input. It wasn't what I wanted to hear, but I do agree. It just bothers me that I will have to sit out. About taking up a spot that others planned their life for.... I planned mine to but things happen. Thanks again!!!!!

apnea · Aug 3, 2007

Thanks for all your input. It wasn't what I wanted to hear, but I do agree. It just bothers me that I will have to sit out. About taking up a spot that others planned their life for.... I planned mine to but things happen. Thanks again!!!!!

Can you talk to your school about possibly going part time? my school doesn't offer it, but a lot of other ones do. If you were on the edge thinking about full time, do you think you could handle going part time?

apnea · Aug 3, 2007

Also...HEY! You'e gonna have a BABY! A teeny LITTLE small screaming cute little tiny LITTLE LITTLE person!

Why do girls always think tiny things are cuter than normal things?? Damn me and my stereotypicality.

Anyway, that's awesome. Congrats!

Asherah, BSN, RN · Aug 3, 2007

All of the nursing program information sessions I've attended emphasize the fact that it is not recommended that you begin a nursing program when you are undergoing a major life event, for obvious reasons. If you wish to improve your odds of succeeding in your first attempt, it is important to have a structurally sound support system and superior time management skills.

Planned or unplanned, you are going to have a baby, and you have four other children to attend to. If it were me, it would seem pretty clear cut that postponing attendance would be the only way to maintain my sanity, and physical and emotional health.

Look at it this way, you're obviously talented enough to manage a large household, so when you do try your hand at the program at a later date, you already have a leg up on organization and prioritization of tasks.