Any nursing students with small kids?

Bunny2987 · Jul 31, 2012

I'm not in nursing school yet but implant to be by next summer. I too have a small child he's 1 and I'm worried about how hard it will be with that and not being able to work etc. I've ears nursing school is very intense so I'm scared...

britthohenbrink · Aug 5, 2012

I love this!!! I am on my last semester of prerequisite classes and am applying in Jan. I have an 11 month old son and another on the way. I have had to manage my time very carefully and hope that I will be able to adjust to both a second child and starting the nursing program in the fall of 2013. Personally I feel like all things are possible with faith and hard work. Good luck to all mothers who are pursueing nursing school.

Newme17 · Aug 5, 2012

My little one is going to be 8 months old this week and I'm thinking about having another baby next year because of my age. I do work full time and am taking all my pre-reqs and sciences. I'm going to get into the fall'13 program. I really do believe that if you want something bad enough you can do it. Only time will tell. Good luck to everyone.

daisygarten · Aug 5, 2012

This thread really hits home with me, with 5 kids (from 2yrs old to 9th grade) I have to share something amazing that happened while taking my prereqs: The kids left me alone to study. Really! The older ones ran interference for the younger ones, keeping them busy or giving them a snack; my husband took them outside or prohibited passage to my study area. I laid down the law too-- after 8pm-- mommy hours are over, Go to bed!-- in case of "Emergency" ask dad! I had to discipline myself to study for 3-4hrs after they went to bed and fit in small cram sessions throughout the day. As I look toward nursing school, its with excitement and anxiety; but I know I have a great home team that will back me up and motivate me...

ssv78 · Aug 5, 2012

I was wondering how do you nursing students cope with school and your family lives. I have been having a really hard time trying to figure out if I should pursue a nursing degree, because I have two small kids, and I here nursing school is tons of work. I have changed my major so many times out of fear that I do not have what it takes to make it as a nursing student. I need some words of wisdom, as I do not have many to turn to.

I have started this summer with two pre-reqs (A&P I and II, and Nutrition). It has been hard, I have three children, ages 9, 7 and 4. Not being able to afford camp and having them around all summer has been the hardest I think.

The material is way to dense for my tired brain at nights, so I have had to study when my husband ( who is very supportive) watches the kids, as soon as he gets home from work I jet to library where I can concentrate, saturdays and sundays during the day too. It pays off, as I have had great grades so far.

It's doable but you need to have a support system and lots of determination.

Good luck!

ssv78 · Aug 5, 2012

Same happens to me most days. I have also implanted "when daddy is home and mommy is studying, daddy is in charge of resolving all issues"!

ssv78 · Aug 5, 2012

you just have to get into a routine and manage your time wisely. it is doable, not easy, but doable!

sjtrk · Aug 5, 2012

I have 5 kids ages 5-14 and have put off going to school because of that fear. I had my oldest when I was 17 and I'll admit I was devastated that I "had" to put off going to school for nursing as I've known I wanted to be a nurse since I was 12. I always said when my youngest was in school all day I would go back to school. I eased myself in with summer courses this year and now I look back and think "what was I thinking?!" I never had to put this off! Yes, while they were all babies it would have been a major hurdle but honestly, some days they are still "babies" with all the arguments I have to deal with while studying lol. I do agree with who talked about people who told them to enjoy them while their young because it won't last long. I loved having my babies but I'm sorry, I'm definitely not one of those mother's who wishes they'd stay that way forever. I do night time studying as I'm sure most if not close to all mothers do. I'm so blessed to have a super support group. My husband works a weird swing shift (4 days on days 9-9pm 4 days off then 4 days 9-9am.) however I have great neighbors, a wonderful family and kids who at times I think are more excited to see me in school than I am! LOL I think the one thing that keeps the fire in me besides the fact that I have wanted this for so long is that I am an inspiration not only to my kids, but to my nieces and nephew's as well. Because I've gone back to school I've paved an inspiration road for 3 of them who originally didn't have plans for college. That means more to me than anything. To know I can aid in direction of a younger generation. I think taking that first step to go to school with children especially young ones is the biggest hurdle you will find. The rest will fall in to place. I look at it as when the kids were first born and feeling nervous of how I would do things with another child, then another and so on. But without even knowing, each time a child entered my life, a new schedule emerged. And i believe it will happen again with school. It can be done and I know for me, failure is not an option! For myself and my family. Wishing you and everyone else all the success in world! : )

NursinginProgress · Aug 5, 2012

In the beginning, having small children and going to school can be rough, especially for us mothers. But, you have to look towards the future and realize that the hours you have away from the ones you love, are for a good cause and it's only temporary. Think of the outcome, you'll have a degree, financial stability and a groovy title behind your name, like a superhero. I understand your concern though, I have a four year old myself. I went to school to be a CNA before he was a year, while my husband took care of him, tore me apart. Then I went back to school for my LPN, tore me apart for 13 months, and now I'm back in for the RN program and even though it kills me to walk out that door, I remind myself that I as a mother have a duty to provide for my son. It's a little sacrifice for something bigger in the long run. Good luck. Stay Strong and buckle up because it's going to be a bumpy ride worth taking! ^_^

KateRN1 · Aug 6, 2012

It was a long time ago, but I went through nursing school (ASN program) during my daughter's preschool years. I was a single mom, no family nearby to help, only a couple of really good friends who babysat for free and a boyfriend who was a great cook. I was broke to the max all the time, only worked weekends as a CNA in the hospital and worked my tail off the summer between 1st and 2nd year. I learned to take whatever help was offered, spend time with my daughter when I could, and study whenever I was able. I learned that I am worthless in the evening but was able to retain what I studied in the morning, so most nights I was in bed by 8 or 8:30 and up most mornings around 4:30 to read, study, and write careplans that were due in a couple of hours. There was one semester that I had to be at clinicals before daycare opened, so I dropped my daughter at my best friend's house and she took her to "school." I think that if I had been a "traditional" student, I could've made straight A's, but I did pretty well for myself with all the stress I had and graduated with a 3.4 or so GPA. Then I finished my BSN as soon as I could afterwards. Now my last child is starting kindergarten and I am trying to figure out how to go back to school for my MSN!

It can be done, but each person has his/her own way to do it. You have to figure out what works for you and your family, prepare to make sacrifices, and just do it.