Applying to nursing school this year... is a baby a terrible idea?

Horseshoe, BSN, RN · Nov 2, 2015

A lot of nurses have done this while in school, with varying degrees of difficulty. And let me tell you, it carries a great deal of difficulty.

You might get lucky and be able to time it perfectly with respect to school breaks. You might have an uneventful pregnancy, deliver on schedule, and get right back to business. But as a mother of two, I know you are aware that pregnancies can have complications that require bed rest, babies can be born prematurely and/or with complications. You may need to take a semester break or more to deal with these scenarios. You may have to drop out mid semester. There's really no way for anyone else to predict what will happen with you. Just because 20 other women were able to sail through school while having babies is no guarantee you will, and vice versa.

So you go into this knowing that there could absolutely be an interruption in your program. And ultimately you have to decide what's best for you, your family, your future, etc. Also, only you know how well you handle stress. And there is a lot of stress in nursing school when you have NO children to think of.

I understand you wanting to go ahead with your family planning, given your age. I just wouldn't COUNT on being able to stay the program without interruption. You might, but don't plan on it absolutely.

I was your age when I had my baby at Christmas break during my junior year. Due to post op complications and other factors, I had to drop out for a semester and started back in the fall. I did finish the program, but I was a pretty stressed out puppy by the end of it.

Good luck whatever you decide.

Girlafraid13 · Nov 2, 2015

Nursing school is the best time to have children.

Chrisley · Nov 3, 2015

@Horseshoe thank you so much for your thoughtful response. I appreciate your POV and you giving me more to chew on.

@girlafraid13 I am detecting a bit of sarcasm ðŸ˜œ look, I can appreciate that it must look like I am in some way trying to make what is already hard more then arduous... I just wanted to see if there were others in my position, others who've made this work.

Ah I wish I could go back and either have all my children earlier, or have gone through nursing school much earlier, but I can't.

Have to play the hand I've got. ðŸ˜Ž

snooze9o99 · Nov 8, 2015

I think it's ridiculous to have someone else to raise your kids while you are in school or work. You are being selfish along with millions of mothers that dump their babies and toddlers at day cares and nannies. A child needs a mother not an "auntie" or stranger to develop a behavioral foundation for the rest of his or her life. Don't have them if you won't raise them.

Emergent, RN · Nov 8, 2015

I think it's ridiculous to have someone else to raise your kids while you are in school or work. You are being selfish along with millions of mothers that dump their babies and toddlers at day cares and nannies. A child needs a mother not an "auntie" or stranger to develop a behavioral foundation for the rest of his or her life. Don't have them if you won't raise them.

Thank you Dr Laura!

To the OP: It's better to have the kids close together, your little boy will have a more solid childhood with a sibling he can play with. Your support system sounds like this will be doable.

Courtney Nurse Writer, BSN · Nov 8, 2015

Excuse me but not all mothers have the luxury of staying home and raising their babies. So while you make that comment I hope you can take a step back and realize what a horrible thing that is too say as countless men and women head on to the workforce with a tear in their eyes because they are parting from their children. It is difficult on its own to have to do that without having opinionated people like you rub salt on the wound.

Anyhow, to the OP no I wouldn't have another kid while in school. Especially nursing school. Way too stressful. Wait until you get out.

snooze9o99 · Nov 8, 2015

I'm entitled to my opinion just as you are. I made a responsible decision to wait till I can afford to stay at home and take care of my child until it's time for elementary school. The OP has a choice to have a baby or go to nursing school IMO those two events should not happen concurrently.

selectallthatapply · Nov 8, 2015

I think it's ridiculous to have someone else to raise your kids while you are in school or work. You are being selfish along with millions of mothers that dump their babies and toddlers at day cares and nannies. A child needs a mother not an "auntie" or stranger to develop a behavioral foundation for the rest of his or her life. Don't have them if you won't raise them.

This is astonishingly ignorant. Working mothers are still raising their children, nannies and day cares aren't doing it for them. Based on your post (I would assume you think that because a child needs their mother, they need their father as well?), do you think no parents should work? Children have this weird habit of needing food. Food tends to cost money.

Maybe you'll have one of those kids that doesn't need to eat. Good luck.

snooze9o99 · Nov 8, 2015

This is astonishingly ignorant. Working mothers are still raising their children, nannies and day cares aren't doing it for them. Based on your post (I would assume you think that because a child needs their mother, they need their father as well?), do you think no parents should work? Children have this weird habit of needing food. Food tends to cost money.
Maybe you'll have one of those kids that doesn't need to eat. Good luck.

Well you are ignorant for not considering my point of view and not being familiar with the research. And don't assume anything about me keyboard warrior. Just answer the OP.

klone, MSN, RN · Nov 8, 2015

I'm entitled to my opinion just as you are. I made a responsible decision to wait.

Your opinion is ignorant and ridiculous. That's MY opinion.

snooze9o99 · Nov 8, 2015

Your opinion is ignorant and ridiculous. That's MY opinion.

Well good for you. [emoji3] have a blessed Sunday