Any mothers who are nursing students? How hard is it to balance the two?

penaheather · Oct 4, 2011

It can be done, but it is very hard. If its what you really want, I say go for it.

Good Luck!

Heather

PhoenixTech, LPN · Oct 5, 2011

I have a 3 yo who will be 4 in two weeks, I work part time & I'm in a traditional BSN program. Single parent & responsible for all bills, housework & car maintenance. Needless to say that every minute of every day I'm doing something. It doesn't stop until I lay my head down @ 11 ish & best believe there's still something left undone.

The real question for me is what's going to get neglected today? It usually ends up being the housework but more times than I'd like, it's my daughter. Last week, it was a day of work & my study time. However, after a couple of C's where there was once A's, I've kept the tv off so as to not get distracted. Which means my daughter is in my face till bedtime.

It is very tough for me but it's temporary and when I'm done, working three days a week & financial security will make all the sacrifice worth it. I pray alot and depend on God to continue to strengthen me.

PS I won't even start about when daycare closes for every little holiday & then some!

Jayden8139 · Oct 5, 2011

Wow Phoenix Tech!!:yeah:I gotta give it up to you! I am married with a 3 and a 5 year old. I do not work (quit for of school) I am in an RN 21 month program and it is demanding. It can definitely be done but its a struggle for me and I have a husband and no job. You need an awesome schedule, great support (spouse or whoever you can wrestle up), Coffee (not the day of a test), and make time to sleep. Seriously.

NurseErin83 · Oct 5, 2011

It's tough, but manageable if it's really something you want. I'm about 6 weeks into an accelerated 16 month ADN program. I'm also married with a 3 and 5 year old. My husband is a police officer with long, sometimes odd hours so pretty much all of my study time takes place after the kids go to bed at 8pm.

Thankfully when my husband is home, he picks up the slack around the house because honestly without him helping out I'm afraid to think of what the condition of the house would be lol! It's definitively been a major adjustment for us, especially since we've had to put my youngest daughter in preschool ($$$) but we just keep in mind that it's a temporary situation and the pros outweigh the cons.

Good luck!!!

Erin

Al.ginger · Oct 5, 2011

I would not advise to get into accelerated program. My friend finished one and at the beginning they had a meeting with families of the students. Families was told that during the program student will be essentially unavailable, they will need all the support they can get and that they do not recommend to work at all during program.

Now, everyone is different. I myself have a 16-month-old and in traditional 2 year RN program also working 16 hours a week - I can manage it just fine. I do take care of the house by myself. Also, my baby pretty much on me except for the hours I'm in school.

~Mi Vida Loca~RN, ASN, RN · Oct 5, 2011

Don't go into it thinking about how hard it will be. Go into it with a goal and a determination that no matter what you will get through it.

Before I started nursing school all I did was have people tell me how hard it was going to be (I have 4 kids, had 3 when I started Pre-Reqs and had another while on the wait list, my husband is not a very active participant. He would go away to work in the winter time during school from Nov-April, May for 5 years and he didn't help a whole lot when he was home outside of helping with transportation on getting the kids to and from places and cooking dinners (I hate cooking)

But everyone would dwell on how hard it was going to be and what I was getting myself into. It was just so negative. I would come to these boards and read how terrible nursing school was. Well I didn't care, I went in with a goal and a purpose and determination. I used to stress about everything. Now I only ever stress about money (it's a deep-rooted reason), anything else I can handle. I try to take a positive attitude on things and not let things get me down. If something gets to me I have my couple hours or whatever to dwell or more or feel sorry for myself and then I move on and figure out what I need to do to tweak my plan.

I had a LOT of road blocks during Nursing school. Some pretty dang heavy stuff. But in the end, I didn't let it bring me down and I got through it. I graduated in May and I used that same determination and motivation about finding a job from all the doom and gloom I would see on the board and hear from people. Guess what, I graduated May, was licensed the next week and I have been working as a nurse since June.

I did it all with 4 kids, I spent time with my kids, I had a life, I enjoyed nursing school over all. I watched TV and played online and went out and so on. I lived my life as I normally do and Nursing school was a part of my life, it wasn't my life.

If you want this, believe in yourself and go after it.

Despareux · Oct 5, 2011

Three kids and a husband who works the afternoon shift. I was a working single mom for 7'ish years with my first child and my current situation feels eerily similar.

I'm in an accelerated program. It's hard. It can be done. We live very far from our closest relative and our friends live even further, so our support systems consist of paying lots of money to daycare providers and shelling out lots of money for gas expenses. We are literally broke from me being in nursing school. I graduate in about 18 more weeks.

All I know is when I become an RN, I will have earned every penny and it will feel so damn good.

savandanurse · Oct 5, 2011

I dunno about you but I feel super-motivated now!

I'm starting the an ADN RN in Spring and have a 9 month old and a two-year old. Their dad is awesome. He works two jobs, cooks, cleans and loves his two boys. I'm working until next fall at my current job and then going to try out for an Extern or CNA position to get experience. I know its going to be tough but I have been working toward this for 3 years now and I only have two left to go!

It's going to get done!

ftrammell · Oct 5, 2011

I currently started back to school to become a RN. I have a 5 year old and a very supportive husband which helps out a lot. I am really having a hard time finding time to study and I am only taking the core classes at this moment. I take it all in stride though knowing that becoming a nurse is what I know I really want and that I am going to have to buckle down in order to acheive my goals. I try my best to balance family, work, and school though. I feel that with a good support system if you have that the rest is up to you (us).

Nomijen · Oct 5, 2011

I would say more ppl in my program have kids than don't. A lot of them A students still. Me included. It can be done.

starmickey03, MSN, RN · Oct 5, 2011

Its very much so doable.

I have a 2 and a 5 year old and have absolutely NO support. I moved out of state to attend my program, so I have no family here and as I said no support. I go to class on Tues and Weds, have 8.5 hr clinical on Thurs and Fri, and work as a PCA on Saturdays for 12 hrs, and on Mondays for 8.5 hrs. So essentially Sunday is the only day that I have time to "breathe".

But I make it work. I only study at night when my kids are in bed sleep because I feel bad if I study during the day since it already seems like I dont spend much time with them. I also study at work if time permits.

Just know that it can be done. Plenty of single mothers before you have attended nursing school and succeeded and there will be plenty after you. I graduate in June and have yet to get less than a B in any of my classes, nursing courses included.

Good Luck! :)