anyone??????

joseash · Nov 12, 2008

I did it. Worked full-time during the day with a toddler/preschooler. Took most classes late afternoon/evening when possible. Fortunately my workplace was fairly flexible. Tapered off to working part-time towards the end and quit altogether for the final semester where I did my full-time preceptorship. Did I mention my hubby also deployed to Iraq in the midst of all this back in 2003 when the war was first kicking off? Fun times. But I survived and you will too. It may not be easy but it can be done. Good luck!

racing-mom4, BSN, RN · Nov 12, 2008

I did it with 4 very busy kids ranging from teenagers to toddlers. I worked nights and weekend at the hospital as a CNA, I was able to get some studying in between call lights in the evening.

In my opinion Moms have it easier because we have mastered multi tasking...you know the little game you play with your toddlers "wheres your nose" my little one knew not only his nose, but his clavicle, mandible, phalnages and patella--and a whole bunch more!!!

It can be done, just take it one semester at a time!!!

mom2michael, MSN, RN, NP · Nov 12, 2008

Yes, I worked nearly full time (anywhere from 24-36 hours), usually evenings, weekends, holidays, etc.... and went to school full time and had a small child at home.

nursemike, ASN, RN · Nov 12, 2008

I was a cat parent during nursing school--significantly more self-sufficient than bipedal children--and worked 32hrs/wk. I found myself stretched pretty thin, so for my second year I cut back to 24hrs/wk. Still very busy.

There were those among my classmates who coped with the challenges you propose to undertake. They were younger than me, but still, it was hard. If there is any way, I'd strongly recommend getting as many "support" courses out of the way as possible before beginning the program. I took Eng 1&2, Pol Sci, and Psych to get my GPA up to qualify, so I was left with just 12hrs/semester. But I knew some who took every class they could, leaving only the actual nursing classes. IMO, even if it took an extra year to do that, it would be worth it. Nursing classes alone are a good deal of work, but if you add things like Anatomy, Microbiology, and Pharmacology, you've got your hands full.

I was meeting my basic living expenses at 32hrs/wk, used financial aid to cover tuition, books, a new computer. In my second year, I relied on loans to make up the difference in my income. It was the smartest debt I've ever taken. I don't miss the 170/month loan payment, and I couldn't have done it without the extra money.

The trick, I think, to school is to look at everything as a resource, and to spend your resources as wisely as you can. Money, time, sleep, even, to some extent, your health are tools you use to get through.

Food, clothing, rent will eat up some of your money. Family--even cats--will require some of your time. Sleep--well you have to sleep, and in class turns out not to be the best place to do that. So you have to marshall your resources very carefully. Try not to waste anything. Work as little as you can--if you can manage part-time, by all means do so. Expect to short-change your family. You're doing this, at least in part, for their benefit, and if they have to forego rides to soccer practice or the latest, name-brand sneakers, it will build character. Or, at least, they'll survive. Obviously, and no matter how much your instructors might think you should, you can't make nursing school your whole life. But if it isn't near the top of your priorities, it may well be a waste of time. A nursing degree may very possibly improve your life, down the road. Flunking out gains you nothing.

Best of luck. It won't be easy, but it can be done.

twinmommy+2, ADN, BSN, MSN · Nov 12, 2008

I did go to school with three toddlers in tow, but did not work. Thankfully I have a terrific dh who supported us while I went to school, then I was the one in charge of doctors visits, WIC appointments, child care subsidy appointments, besides all the shopping, meals, child care at home.

jschut, BSN, RN · Nov 12, 2008

Yep. I did it with 5 children at home and working weekends. It is doable. Now, I didn't say easy.... I said doable.

irish6363 · Nov 12, 2008

Yes, I did it too...I have 4 kids ages at that time were 11,7,6,4, and a husband who was the primary breadwinner and completely against my return to college the entire 3 years. I managed, not easily at times. I could swear I was going insane and was even ready to file for divorce due to no emotional support from him in my endeavor. Thankfully I made it through and can say it is possible...You must be very driven and focused on this desire or it will not work out. There is so much support on this forum from so many nurses that I personally feel it was one of my pillars of support. Just the ability to share and know there are many of us in the same situations really helps. Good Luck.

Neveranurseagain, RN · Nov 12, 2008

I did it with a 6 week old (and I was breastfeeding) and a 15 mth old. My only time to study, it seemed, was between 2 am and 4 am. So I went to bed same time as the kids, woke up and studied, then went back to bed til they woke up.

tk3100 · Nov 12, 2008

I did it with a toddler and a crumbling marriage while working weekends. Very difficult, but it can be done.

mama_d, BSN, RN · Nov 12, 2008

Same here...possible but difficult. If I had it to do all over again, I'd have grown up years earlier and done nursing school before I had kids.

And I'm doing it again now. Makes me think I need to get my head examined some days!

iamablonde, BSN, RN · Nov 12, 2008

I did it with an 8wk old newborn, still breast feeding when I started!!! It was a fluke that I got in when I did, and I wasn't going to go, but my mom encouraged me to do it! I am SOOOO thankful I did it because my husband at the time was a big meanie cavatini and getting through nursing school gave me the financial security I needed to take my child and Get the HELL out of a Horrible marriage and onto a GREAT independent life!!! :yeah:

Looking back, sometimes I wonder how I did it, but there were many single parents in my class, or parents with not so great home situations. We all really bonded and got through it together!

YOU CAN DO IT!!!!!!:nuke: