Anyone Here Have Young Kids?

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I really want to become a nurse but am wondering if it is even possible right now in my life. I have three kids ages 5,3, and 7 months. My husband works from 7 am to 8 pm and i dont have much family help.

Is this possible? DOes anyone else have kids and how are things going for you?

Thanks,

Cheryl

Specializes in LTC/Behavioral/ Hospice.

My youngest is 2. We have a wonderful, very workable situation in our home. My husband has a very flexible schedule as a pastor, so he takes care of Caleb when I'm in school. He even takes him out on visitations with him. :) Have you thought about going part-time? It does take a little longer to get through, but you would be able to spend more time with your family.

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Wow!!!! This was the first time posting on allnurses.com and am so greatful for all the informative responses. Thank you all so much. I do plan to take several of my pre req online and the school is close to a friend of mine who does home daycare.

I am planning on becoming an RN and getting my ADN first and then pursuing a BDN later down the road.

Thank you for all the replies :)

Cheryl

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My youngest is 2. We have a wonderful, very workable situation in our home. My husband has a very flexible schedule as a pastor, so he takes care of Caleb when I'm in school. He even takes him out on visitations with him. :) Have you thought about going part-time? It does take a little longer to get through, but you would be able to spend more time with your family.

I am pretty sure the community college i plan to attend only offers full time.

Cheryl

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Specializes in OB, lactation.

I have been going part-time for 2 years, my kids will be 8, 6, and 3 in a few months. I took almost all my prereqs online at first which was a huge help and enabled me to stay with the kids. Since I've started the program I'm in, I've been able to take about 30% of it online, and I don't commute more than 2 days/week, again so I can spend most of my time with the kids. My husband doesn't even want me back in school (and we have no family around), but he does have a very flexible schedule and is able to stay with the kids most of the time I am at school.

I would be waiting until all the kids were in school if it took me away from them a lot (I am lucky that dh's job allows me that option, I know some people can't). They are only young once! I think it depends on what kind of situation you are currently in ... if you are happy and financially secure then it may be easier/better to wait a bit, if you are in a situation where you really need to improve things then it may be better to go ahead and make it work, KWIM? Very individual. Just my opinion.

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I have been going part-time for 2 years, my kids will be 8, 6, and 3 in a few months. I took almost all my prereqs online at first which was a huge help and enabled me to stay with the kids. Since I've started the program I'm in, I've been able to take about 30% of it online, and I don't commute more than 2 days/week, again so I can spend most of my time with the kids. My husband doesn't even want me back in school (and we have no family around), but he does have a very flexible schedule and is able to stay with the kids most of the time I am at school.

I would be waiting until all the kids were in school if it took me away from them a lot (I am lucky that dh's job allows me that option, I know some people can't). They are only young once! I think it depends on what kind of situation you are currently in ... if you are happy and financially secure then it may be easier/better to wait a bit, if you are in a situation where you really need to improve things then it may be better to go ahead and make it work, KWIM? Very individual. Just my opinion.

I would love if i could take most of it (besides clinicals of coorifice) online. Are you attending a university or community college?

Cheryl

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I would say that the best advice I could give is to get your kids in a full time daycare and manage your time so that you can do ALL of your studying while they are at daycare. My dd is 4 now but has been going to daycare since she was 6 weeks old (I worked FT for the first 2 years) and I would not change it. I get all of my school work done while she is in daycare and I don't have to worry about studying while she is home so it is all her time. If I do find that I need some extra hours to study while she is home, I get up at 4 am and study until it is time to get ready for school again. I think the key is time managment. I don't have to feel guilty about not being able to spend time with her because she is at daycare where she has a blast and then when I pick her up I know I have gotten a big chuck of studying done and I get all this quality time with her.

My dh is in the military and works 24 shifts so he is never home.. I cannot count on him to watch her.. The only time it has ever been a problem are days I have 630 am clinicals and he is on a shift b/c her daycare does not open until 630. Then I have to rely on friends since being military we obviously do not have family around.

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Specializes in OB, lactation.
I would love if i could take most of it (besides clinicals of coorifice) online. Are you attending a university or community college?

Cheryl

I am at a state university. The online courses & possibility of attending part-time were big reasons why I picked it (I need a BSN for what I want to do as well). I get Stafford loans to pay for it & daycare for when dh can't keep the kids.

PS- I attended cc's online for the prereqs

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Specializes in Infectious Disease.

I have 3 kids and have been in school part-time since Fall 2002. I started school when my kids were 8, 6, and 2 years old. I will be taking the last of my prereqs this semester and am awaiting word on my application for nursing school. Honestly, it has been difficult, at times. Be sure to utilize as many online courses as your college offers. They were really my saving grace. I wasn't able to take any distance learning courses last semester and my family really had a hard time being withouth me while I was in class.

As Maire stated earlier, be sure to have a back-up for your back-up childcare arrangements. I have applied for the Fall 2006 program at my CC. We thought everything regarding childcare was going to be in place by then. Unfortunately, that doesn't seem to be the case so I will probably have to turn down my slot if one is offered. Instead of sitting around for a year until my son enters the 7th grade, I have decided to start taking some of the core classes for my BSN. If nothing else, I have learned how to be flexible.

Good luck. It can be done.

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Specializes in Home Health Care,LTC.

I have 3 children ages 12, 10 and 19 mnths. When I first went back to school I had 2 ages 8 and 6. Now I start classes in Jan. for working towards my BSN, MSN not sure which one yet. Currently I am an LPN. The classes are online which will be a first for me. I plan on taking my youngest to a sitter (good friend) so I can get the homework and studying done. I have a great support system. I have 2 classes that will start and finish in 5 weeks then start 2 more for 5 weeks for the next 8 mths. Very accelerated. It can be done. You just have to be very disaplined and work hard for what you want. Study whenever and whereever you can. Make flash cards to take with you every where. Sitting in a Dr. office waiting can make a good 1/2 of study time which you might not get in other wise. Good luck to all.

Angie

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I had young ones in LPN school. Now, they are a bit older, but I have my 7 y/o grandson to raise too while I am in BSN classes.

It is difficult, but I have support from my husband who watches over them so I can study. The only real ornery one is the gs....

Good luck to you and God bless! Hope you succeed in whatever is right for you!

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I have a 2 year old, 5 year old and I am 6 months preganant. I had attended my first semester of LPN school and it was very hard. Plus I was taking A&PI at the local community college on Sundays. I was so tired. If I probably wasn't pregant I would have been able to get through it, but my body was just too tired. I have decided to do the online program at Deaconess for the LPN if I can get in next month. I have also applied to an accelerated BSN program for the fall which is 15 months. I work full time now, but I am trying to make arrangements to work somewhere part time after the baby is born so I can go to school during the day while the kids are at daycare and maybe work on the weekend and one day during the week. A good family support system is extremely important.

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Specializes in Operating room..

I am starting my second semester next month. I am doing LPN then will do the transition program when my guys are a little older. My guys are 10, 8, 8, 5. Hubby works 9-8pm. It's hard but it can be done. I have stayed home for the last 10 years and I figure it's my turn now. Good luck.

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