babies or NP first?

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Specializes in OB, Cardiac.

Hi,

I am a new grad RN working in pp and loving it. However, I have full intention to continue on to become an NP. Also, my dh & i want to start having kids w/in the next 2 yrs. I am debating about working as an RN at the hosptial and holding off on begining my NP b/c i will only be working 3 12s. Thus, there will be less babysitting expenses. However, this will put off becoming an NP until the kids are about to begin school. Or, should i just start on my NP in the meantime & just put the kiddos off an extra yr or two? However, I'll want to work in a clinic as an NP so i'll prob work 5 days/wk.

I know my dh & and i are the ones that need to figure this out. I'm just wondering what path you all took & how it worked or didn't work for you. Thanks!!!

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Well if you start your NP now in 2-3yrs you'll be done. Some schools even have a 1 year program where you go every day. I'd do it now before kids. You never know how your life will change after you have kids, maybe you won't have the oppertunity to go back to school then..

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I think you should go straight for your NP schooling first, I myself have two young kids, and attending RN school right now, I am lucky because I have my husband and my parents help for watching my kids, I do not have to worry about childcare issues, I tell all my friends that if they can, they should wait to have children after school is done, because even though I have help with my kids, I am always worried if an emergency arises and if my school will be affected. Good Luck on whatever you decide.

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Specializes in ACNP-BC.

Well, I don't have children yet, but I am so glad I don't yet because going to NP school full-time while also working as an RN part-time was challenging enough without adding kids to the mix. I had some friends in my NP program who went to school and worked full time and had kids, and they were so wiped out all the time. If I were you, I would do my best to get school out of the way first, and then you could have more time (and energy!) to enjoy your family.

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Specializes in ARNP, FNP-BC.

I just completed a FNP program this June and would recommend completing NP school before having kids, because both raising a family and going to school is VERY HARD WORK. It can be done but it will be a challenge. Two of the ladies I graduated with knew they wanted to start families soon, so what they did was get pregnant 4-6 months before we graduated. My class graduated in June '08. One classmate gave birth last month and the other one will give birth in December...so thats another option.

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Specializes in PICU.

I have 5 kids, work part time, homeschool 3 of them, and am slowly working towards my AC-PNP. It is a ton of work, yet I don't think for me, that I'd have done it any other way. The one thing I will say, having babies changes EVERYTHING. I have seen many women who thought they were career women wanting to work FT do a total turnaround when that precious bundle was placed in their arms. Thankfully, that's the beauty of nursing. You can have wonderfully flexible hours and earn a decent salary, and minimize the time away from baby.

I wish you the best with your decision!

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Nursing Education.

I had a 6 year old and HAD A BABY during my NP program.

It was very stressful to have to worry about the kids. Do it now before you have the kids.

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Specializes in OB, Cardiac.

Thanks for all your replies. I really appreciate your input!!! GOod luck to all of you in your careers.

I definitely have some important decisions to make! A lot of my cowokers are telling me to have kids first b/c school is always there. But my instructors & you all are telling me school first. Your opinion really matters to me b/c my coworkers are not masters-prepared nurses. Thanks!

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It's stressful no matter what--I went back to school when my children were school age and it worked out, we did a lot of homework together. It depends on how old you are, how old you want to be when your kids are growing up. As an older person I can tell you that you can still be as healthy and active in your 50s as your 20s--but you won't be looking at having children then! I finished NP school and am working full time as my last child is off to college, which worked out super well.

School was stressful with kids, but it will be stressful no matter what.

I HATE sounding like the old crone of the group, but really there is no rush. I think the coworkers' comments that "school is always there" are right on the mark. But remember, there is no ONE right answer!

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Specializes in ICU, OR.

I just want to add - you said that you either have to go now, or wait until they are in school. What about in between? I have a few little ones here (and I am not done having them) and I am applying to part time NP programs. Call me crazy, and I have not gone to grad school yet, but I think it will be doable going one class at a time, working part time, and raising little kids.

I do think that if it is anesthesia school you are talking about - that has to be full time - so that is a major decision: putt off kids/put off school. But if it is an NP program which can be done part time over many years you could do both.

Also, keep in mind you could still work the 12's as an RN for a while after becoming an NP if that is the schedule you prefer. Even some NP jobs may have that schedule too.

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Specializes in OB, Cardiac.

thanks so much for your input. i know i could start NP school while my kids are little but I don't want to count on that. I love my niece & nephew so much that I know when i have my own kids i'll want to devot all of my available time to them. Once they start school i can spend that time on classes and be an example to them. There's so much to figure it out. I'm def going to take all your advice into account, take it day by day until my dh & i figure out what is best for our future.

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My first child was 1 1/2 when I started RN school, had my second partway through. I worked on a very parttime basis and borrowed big $ instead. I am now in FNP school with a 2 1/2 yr old and a 4 1/2 yr old. I love my children dearly and I want to accomplish my goals, but this is definitley the hard way. Go to school first -then the babies. I did very well in RN school with the kids - but my FNP program is much more intensive - I am honestly struggling in school for the first time in my life. under 83% is failing in most NP programs, if I understand correctly.

I am smart enough, I am not working and I am a fast reader, and I sleep 4-5 hours a night b/c I have class, clinicals and 400-500 pp reading each week - not including study time. In addition....

I make lunches, drive kids to preschool, pick-up kids, make dinner and give baths , pray no one gets sick, try to read a bedtime story so I am not wracked with guilt and once in a while post here instead of studying. ;). I fully embrace what I am doing now and try to do the best I can with my kids and with school, but it is tough.

It is hard to imagine the time that kid care can suck up! Do it before kids:uhoh3:

Good luck with your decision!

Kim

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