Is anyone else doing this or have done this? My kids are 2 and 4, and until recently, I've been at home with them full-time. My ABSN program meets 30 hours per week, and then I have TONS of work to do when I get home. it's been a hard adjustment for all of us....
has is anyone else doing? if did the ABSN with small kids, how did you balance it all? did your grades suffer from just not having enough time to do everything? :monkeydance:
These are really difficult decisions to make. I began my BSN program when my son was three-he will be seven when I graduate in December. Although it wasn't an accelerated program, it was very competitive and time consuming, especially for a single mom. Here are a few things I have learned along the way. Focus on the positive-you are showing your children that it's important to have goals and follow through. Even if you think their too young to understand, you'd be surprised what they are learning from you. They see that homework is important and will celebrate with you when you do well. They will see that hard work pays off. They will see that you finished what you started, even when it wasn't easy. You will be teaching them by example. Good luck with whatever you decide.
Well, do you know for a fact that you can just quit the BSN and enter the CC program? There is a lot of competition in nursing schools and may be a long time before you get in the CC program.
IMO, I'd stay in the ABSN.
1. You will have a BSN and no further study needed if you ever want management or to advance.
2. It will be over with in a year and a half. The kids will be around 3 and 5. They are protesting your going to school because it's different. Trust me, they will adjust. I think it's better to get this over with before they enter grade school. Think about it. More money for nice school clothes, supplies etc. It gets so much more expensive to care for them as they get older. Yoy can't dress them in onesies and socks anymore!
Plus, you will be around to help with homework and not have to struggle to do yours and help with theirs.
3. This is not forever. You are not getting a doctorate or anything, ya know.
You could make a pro and con list, but I think you are suffering more form this than they are. They will adjust and you are making yourself happy which will trickle off on to them.
You can include your kids in your study you know. Practice health assessment on them and have the 4 year old pretend to be a patient. It helped me alot and my kids thought it was really fun. I can't stop my seven year old from reading and filling out her 2nd grade workbook.
Hi CRNA~
thank you so much for helping me figure this out. I don't know that I'll get in for August's start date at the cc--I won't know until mid-July, but my points are pretty comparable to those students who are accepted, so my chances are good. And if I don't get in, that's okay too. I'll try again the following semester. It will take me a little longer that way, but I will be part of my family in the mean time. (Instead of leaving while they are still asleep and getting home just in time to put them to bed.)
My kids will only young once and will need me/want me around less and less the older they get.
Also, my kids didn't ask for this. This is not how my husband and I have been living thus far: my school and work revolve around my life, not the other way around. If I work, it has been at night. When I take classes, it has been online or on Saturdays (but preferably online). This is the kind of mom I am, the kind of mom I want to be, and the kind of mom I want for my kids--available.
Thanks again for helping me sort this out.
C.
PS~As far as school and the nice clothes...my daughter's school is paid through Aug 2008 and I already have all of her uniform requirements for the next year. My son won't begin to join her at school until Aug 2008 too, so I have some time.
These are really difficult decisions to make. I began my BSN program when my son was three-he will be seven when I graduate in December. Although it wasn't an accelerated program, it was very competitive and time consuming, especially for a single mom. Here are a few things I have learned along the way. Focus on the positive-you are showing your children that it's important to have goals and follow through. Even if you think their too young to understand, you'd be surprised what they are learning from you. They see that homework is important and will celebrate with you when you do well. They will see that hard work pays off. They will see that you finished what you started, even when it wasn't easy. You will be teaching them by example. Good luck with whatever you decide.
I've thought about this too. And I really believe that whether they see me study and graduate from an ABSN or CC program, they will be proud and relieved to see it over. I plan to continue through to an RN to BSN program, and those seem to be pretty flexible. One state school offers it online, another offers it meeting only once per week. Definitely do-able.
I'm going to the cc today to submit my application.
Good luck with whatever path you choose. I decided not to go through an Entry To Practice (ETP) program that offers me the MSN and Nurse Practitioner education because it was 5 days a week all day long. You have to do what is best for you and your family. Although I do agree with CRNASOMEDAY25 that your kids will adjust (kids like routine and when its different they get upset until the "different" becomes routine). My son went to daycare when he was 16 months because I had to go back to work and I was a total mess...he had a blast! Other kids to interact with, new toys to explore, etc. I'm not advocating daycare for everyone, but because we have no family around us that can watch our kid(s), it was our only option and he did well (not all kids may respond the same way). My son is now 4 1/2 and loves school. It is hard without a good support system. Keep us posted...good luck!
Although I do agree with CRNASOMEDAY25 that your kids will adjust (kids like routine and when its different they get upset until the "different" becomes routine).
I completely agree with this....but I'm having just as hard a time adjusting as they are...even when I'm not in school, I am studying. I don't feel like part of the family--more like an observer.
Thanks to everyone for your ideas and encouragement.
Sounds like you made your decision. Good luck to you. Sounds like you are a very concerned mommy.
I just have a strong opinion that women should take care of themselves and have a backup plan in case something happens. A BSN is a great back up. You never know what tomorrow holds.
Your kids will be proud of you no matter when you finish.
np_wannabe - Good luck! You will do just fine. Please keep in mind like any life change - it will take some adjustment. You will always be the mommy, never just an observer. So please don't sell yourself short.
I would be curious to know - what did the dean say that changed your mind ( if it isn't too personal!). I know it will be hard but in the long run, I don't think that you will regret your decision.
I just graduated from an ABSN program & he was 20 mos old when I started. I was a SAHM prior to going back to school. I jsut wanted to wish you luck!! You CAN do it! What got me through was a supportive husband, a housekeeper (this was a strange thing at first but helped soooooo much) and the sweetest daycare provider ever who was very flexible. We had weekend clinicals so if spending time on the weekend wasn't an option I would bring him to daycare late & spend more time with him in during the week. Anyway, it worked out & my grades didn't suffer. Good luck!!!
I met with the Dean to tell her that I wasn't coming back and she convinced me to stay. So I am. Wish me luck!!
I am soooo glad you decided to stay with it! I just saw this thread today and was reading it screaming at my computer screen "No, don't do it!!!"
I was in a similar situation not long ago - ready to quit my accelerated program and go the cc route. I don't have kids, but I felt like I never saw my hubby and four-legged kiddos (dogs, cats, and horse), and was just sacrificing too much. I toughed it out and now I am almost 2 months away from graduating, and have basically my choice of 2 jobs when I get done in August.
The pace is demanding, the work is grueling, and you will often feel like you have no life outside of school. But in the end, it will be worth it. I myself don't have kids, so I can only imagine how much harder that makes it. But several of my classmates have small kids, and have managed to make it work. I recommend having non-negotiable time that you set aside for family, no studying allowed - and guard that time fiercely! You need that for your sanity. Also, if you are used to getting A's - let that go. You do not need to strive for perfection, it is not realistic in accel. programs. Do your best and keep your GPA where it needs to be in order to PASS!!!
This will probably not be the only time you feel like quitting, but my advice is DON'T DO IT!!! You will thank yourself later. If you need to vent, or talk to someone who sees the "light at the end of the tunnel", feel free to PM me!
triciac
15 Posts
These are really difficult decisions to make. I began my BSN program when my son was three-he will be seven when I graduate in December. Although it wasn't an accelerated program, it was very competitive and time consuming, especially for a single mom. Here are a few things I have learned along the way. Focus on the positive-you are showing your children that it's important to have goals and follow through. Even if you think their too young to understand, you'd be surprised what they are learning from you. They see that homework is important and will celebrate with you when you do well. They will see that hard work pays off. They will see that you finished what you started, even when it wasn't easy. You will be teaching them by example. Good luck with whatever you decide.