Becoming a nurse with kids and thinking of having 1 more

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Hi everyone, I'm currently taking pre-req for the first time. I plan on taking all pre and co req before applying to the program. I figure it will be easier for me to do it that way so I can just focus on my nursing classes. I'm 25 years old I have two kids my son is 5 and is in pre-k and starts kindergarten full days in August, my daughter will be 4 soon she's also in pre-k and will be in kindergartens August 2014. There not the issue, I can finish my pre-req probably in about 2 years, I just want to make sure I get good grades. So by time I apply for nursing school, they will be in school full time. The issue is, my husband and I been talking whether are not to have another baby. For my husband is now or never. He's much older than me and said he wouldn't wait till after I'm done with nursing school, which i will be around 31? The issue is, if I were to have another baby now. By time I'm in nursing school, he/she will be around 3-4 years old, if I were to have a baby by early next year. I have tons of family to help. My mom and sisters and mother in law. I just don't have any clue on how busy/hard nursing school is. I heard clinicalls are long hours. But I'm super excited to try this out, I'm also not in no rush to work, I don't want too, I rather take my time and go to school. But not sure about having another kid. I want to because I would regret it later in life. I'm confused, I want both, but thinking just to choose nursing. I just wonder how many ladies manage school and kids. Any advice is great thanks in advance.

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Specializes in OB/GYN.

I think it totally depends on your lifestyle and time management skills... I'm starting an accelerated BSN this Summer and I have 3 kids... when classes/clinicals start they'll be 8mos, 3yrs, and 10yrs. My program is 15mos and unfortunately, if I wait another year then my pre-reqs will start expiring (there's a 7-10yr limit in our program). So it's kind of now or never for me and I know that I want to make this career change so our family has to make it work.

Having been pregnant in grad school and finished an MSW with a new baby, I won't lie and say it's easy... it's a lot of work, but it forced me to be very organized and micro-manage my time.

It's doable if you make it happen, but you can also consider planning the next baby for a bit later maybe? Good luck either way! Balancing family and school isn't easy, but it's rewarding and empowering!

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I managed it by chosing full time parenting when my kids were young. A few years ago, I started prereqs slowly (a class or two at a time, three once, it depended on the classes and the schedule). Now that my kids range from one left in high school, three in college and one graduated from college, I am shifting gears from part time to full time school and from the prereqs to the professional phase.

I feel like I'm getting the best of both worlds and time to enjoy both worlds.

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I am also 25 with a 5 year old son and 4 year old daughter :) I decided I was done having kids and want to focus on my schooling when I can. I have enjoyed going part time and being able to take care of my kids but the older they get and the more independent it makes life so much easier. My son is in kindergarten now and it's nice to only need to find a sitter for my daughter. While I have lots of family I would especially hate to burden them with a baby while I go to school clinicals, study, etc. I start Nursing school in the fall after 3 years of part time pre-recs. Can't wait and the thought Of another baby makes me panic lol but if you really want another kid it sounds like now is the best time.

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I was pregnant during my last pre-req, and started applying for schools when the baby was three months old. He was nine months old when I started my first semester of school (and my older one was 4). Oh, and I'm a breastfeeding mama, so I was pumping during that first semester. Was it an extra level of tricky? Sure. But it was doable, with some very strict time-management and discipline, and I got all A's. If you really want to add another baby to your family, you should do it. Sure, it's harder, but sometimes family comes first. Good luck!

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I have been thinking a lot! I do know it will be way easier since my kiddies are older now. So I'm just gonna go with the flow, if I get pregnant I do if I don't well then I dont. If I can't get pregnant by end of year then I will give up. I am really excited to get back in school and accomplish becoming a nurse to prove to myself I did it and have a job that I love I want to work in labor and delivery or nicu. It's been my dream for a while and it's my fault I sat home for the last 5 years and did nothing I feel mad that I did that but i just didn't want to leave my kids, and was going back and forth of the idea of just gettin a different career. But I want to become a RN. So if I'm done by 31 years old I'll be satisfied, having another baby I won't stop my Pre-req I do also think havin a baby during taking Pre-req would be easier than nursing school itself because I can choose my own schedule. Thanks for everyone's advice. It's a hard decision

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You were investing in your children. That is not "nothing" or a waste of time.

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I have been thinking a lot! I do know it will be way easier since my kiddies are older now. So I'm just gonna go with the flow if I get pregnant I do if I don't well then I dont. If I can't get pregnant by end of year then I will give up. I am really excited to get back in school and accomplish becoming a nurse to prove to myself I did it and have a job that I love I want to work in labor and delivery or nicu. It's been my dream for a while and it's my fault I sat home for the last 5 years and did nothing I feel mad that I did that but i just didn't want to leave my kids, and was going back and forth of the idea of just gettin a different career. But I want to become a RN. So if I'm done by 31 years old I'll be satisfied, having another baby I won't stop my Pre-req I do also think havin a baby during taking Pre-req would be easier than nursing school itself because I can choose my own schedule. Thanks for everyone's advice. It's a hard decision[/quote']

You sound just like me! I'm pursing my career in Nursing as well and started taking my prerequisite Spring 2012. When I first started school my son was 8 months old and he's now about to turn 2 in a few more months. I took three classes each semester and have done great with the support of my family. Yes, it was very challenging taking care of a baby but it was very manageable. My husband as well is a lot older than I am and we've talked about having another one. I was first scared about the thought of having a baby because the challenges I will have while still going to school. School is my second priority and Family is my first priority, of coorifice! Therefore, we both agreed that it will be best if we have a baby now while I'm still taking my prerequisite before I start applying for the Nursing program for Spring 2014. So......I am now 3 months pregnant and starting my Spring classes tomorrow! I have faith that everything will be fine, with a little bit of extra hard work and more challenges thrown my way! I will over come!!!!! Best of Luck to all of us!!!!!!

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