what would you do?

Published

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!!!

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!!!!!

I just wanted to add that I completely understand your comment about "things happened". I didn't plan my daughter at all (and she is our first and only child at this point). But I also wanted to let you know that I had to change my "school plan" because I had a baby. I did not want to...I wanted to push myself and get done when I planned on getting done (which actually would have beeen next spring), but I made the decision to push it off a little.

I understand your struggle in having to make that decision and I definitely know most of the suggestions isn't what you were looking for (more than likely you wanted some encouragement to go for it). It's a hard decision to make, but if the support system isn't there as much as it needs to be, it could potentially harm your grade in the end and your schooling. But if you really feel you can do it, then go for it...but I remember all too well how demanding and tiring a newborn is and while they usually sleep more fairly quickly (within several weeks), that time that you are sleep deprived could make or break you.

Best of luck in whatever you decide.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Pediatrics.
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.
I disagree. I think this person was trying to sound rude. Funny, I thought this was a site for nurses and students to be supportive of each other and not judgmental...

Anyway, good luck in whatever you do choose to do, however you "plan your life!" I have a friend who has recently had a newborn (in addition to two other kids, one who is a toddler) and she is in nursing school + working and together with her family, she is making it work. It's rough, though. Only you know what you and your family can handle, and how supportive your support system is. I understand about being eager to just get it started, though! ;)

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Congrats on the new addition to the family, sorry if I came out rude with the comment. It was poorly thought out and rushed when I typed it up.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ER/Ortho.

When my son was 11 months old I tried to go back to school. I visited and checked references and found the perfect daycare. Before I started school I stayed at the daycare with them for partial days to get him used to it. He seemed to love it at first, and then started crying when I dropped him off after a few weeks. Then I noticed when I got him home he would eat until he was almost sick, and try to drink the bath water during his bathtime. I asked the daycare and they told me he drank his formula well, and was eating his baby food. A few days later he got ill and the doctor said he was dehydrated. I went to the daycare and found all the babyfood and formula I had sent for weeks was unopened with his name on it still in the cupboard. No one in the daycare could tell me what they had been feeding my baby. He was allergic to milk and needed the special formula and it was all there. All his baby food was there, and I know they werent buying him food from their own pocket. I took the unopened cans, and the doctors report showing he was dehydrated and had lost weight and called child protective services to report the daycare. They in turn called the daycare and told them of the report and gave them an exact date and time they would be visiting to check things out (pretty nice of them). Needless to say that daycare is still open today. It seemed clean, the staff was great, and it came highly recommended.

After that I decided to quit school and stay home until he started school. I am NOT anti-daycare, but I am a little scared to put a baby in one. An older child and even a toddler and tell you at least some of whats going on. They can say hey I didn't eat today I am hungry, someones touching me, hit me etc. A baby can not be fed, left to lay all day, molested, mishandled, mistreated and you would never never know unless they have marks or get sick like mine did or worse yet die or get killed.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I am NOT anti-daycare

Maybe not, but it's refreshing to see someone that IS anti-child abuse :( :( :(

Is he ok now? That's absolutely awful, how can you just "forget" to feed one of your charges? Especially over that length of time, it just doesn't seem accidental :(

Poor munchkinface :(

my daughter didn't start daycare until she was 4. Absolutely DO NOT blame you for being apprehensive.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU.

you can do anything you put your mind too. Only you can hold yourself back.Dont let other people discourage you. You won' t be the first or the last who go to school with kids. Make sure you have a good support network to help you out. I was in you shoes in many ways when I went through school. It can be done. Just believe in yourself. The rewards are great once you graduate. Think of the benefits you'll be able to provide you're family once you get your degree.

I wish you the best

alex1

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ER/Ortho.

He is a wonderful healthy 12 year old now. He starts middle school at the end of the month and it doesn't seem possible. He doesn't remember it of course, but I felt guilty for a long time. I couldn't imagine what he must have thought each morning when I dropped him off. He would cry, and the daycare said it was normal and would pass. I was his mommy and I was leaving him with people who weren't feeding him or even giving him liquids. I am sure his little heart was breaking each morning and he was thinking "Why don't you protect me","What did I do". Who knows what else went on when all the parents had dropped off and left and no one was watching. For all I know they put him in a crib and ignored him all day until an hour before I showed up. He only went there for a couple of months and we were very lucky that the worse that happened was him becoming ill. I checked everything out, got references, visited and stayed half a day twice. I just don't know what else I could have done. Never Again!!!! Our babies who can't speak for themselves are just to precious and important to even take a chance. If you must leave you baby leave them with a relative you know and trust.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

You're over this too, right? An awful thing happened to your baby but this was NOT your fault.

Also...you have to know that babies don't think like that. Their little brains aren't complex enough to formulate "what did i do to make you do this" thoughts. They see the correlation between you and safety, their needs being met, and their happiness. They understand that when they need something, you get it for them. They cry when they need things, but they don't understand that their crying influences your actions. They have no idea that they can call the shots sometimes.

You're a good mom. You had absolutely nothing to do with your son being neglected. Those wicked little toads deserve things too horrible for us to give them.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
You're over this too, right? An awful thing happened to your baby but this was NOT your fault.

Also...you have to know that babies don't think like that. Their little brains aren't complex enough to formulate "what did i do to make you do this" thoughts. They see the correlation between you and safety, their needs being met, and their happiness. They understand that when they need something, you get it for them. They cry when they need things, but they don't understand that their crying influences your actions. They have no idea that they can call the shots sometimes.

You're a good mom. You had absolutely nothing to do with your son being neglected. Those wicked little toads deserve things too horrible for us to give them.

ditto to what was written above. I can't believe that happened to your son and I also can't believe no action was taken against the daycare!!! :angryfire I'd almost have to protest!!! I'm sorry that happened but I'm glad to hear he is much better now. My daughter has been with my sister and next week is her last week there...she'll be 2 in September and is starting at a daycare on the 13th. Now I'm scared!!! But it is a well known one and I have heard nothing but good things about it.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

As someone who had to postpone going to school for 20 years, I advocate taking the class you can now. If you have to drop back because of missing too many classes when you have your baby then drop back and pick it up again. Yes, thing do happen, but you can counteract that by making other things happen. You are obviously not a newbie mother so you will know if you will be able to handle it or not. Hopefully you have a support group of family and friends who can help you. You're not taking somebody else's spot, this is a spot that you've competed for and earned. Who knows what may "happen" again later and cause you to again postpone your entry. If you think you can handle it, and if you have the support group, I (the minority) say, go for it.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ER/Ortho.

Imm...

Don't be worried just be aware. She's two so at least she can communicate with you somewhat. Ask her questions about her day, and drop in unexpectedly at different times of the day from time to time just to see whats going on. I was told if a daycare objects to this or gets upset then your red flags should go off.

My best friend had to put her 3 year old in daycare after this happened to us. She wrote a letter to the teacher on her sons first full day there. She wrote like it was coming from her son's mouth...it was so cute. It was headed to "My new teacher". It went on to say from his point of view the things he liked including common sense things like being hugged, talked to and smiled at. It also included things he didn't like being yelled at, ignored, hit etc. Toward the end little Josh went on to explain that he and his mommy were very close and if anything happened to him she would be so sad. His mommy would proecute anyone who mistreated him to the full extent of the law. It was signed "The most important thing in my mommy's life" Josh

The letter was actually really cute, and the teacher so loved it she hung it up. She said she felt it really touched the teacher who made sure that she took really good care of Josh after that.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I just wanted to say Congratulations on your new baby and wish you the best on your difficult decision....you'll make the right choice. It's nice to be able to come here for information and SUPPORT. Even if sometimes it's lacking.

Best of luck to you! :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion