Being away from home more then ever

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Hello all, I will be starting my 4th semester out of 5 in my program in a few weeks. I can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel. I have been extremely passionate during school to carefully balance my time between my family and school and so far have done pretty well. This semester however I will be working 32 hours a week Monday thru Friday including class and a Saturday clinical. My only day off will be Sunday.

I am really struggling with the fact I will be away from my 2 year old son so much. I am dreading starting this semester. I know it is temporary and he will not remember in the long run but still I have a lot of guilt.

Any mommas/daddys out there struggle with this? Any advice or words of encouragement?

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I am starting my last semester in 2 weeks! I am also a Mom (11y.o. girl, 8 y.o. boy)...a few weeks ago my son told my sister "I used to have a Mom, then she went to Nursing School, she's always at school and when she's home, she's in the computer room studying!" It broke my heart :(

We make many sacrifices to be in this program, but in the end it will be worth it. Keep your chin up..study hard...and at the end of it all, take a vacation with your family! We're in the home stretch now...the light is getting brighter at the end of the tunnel. :)

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Specializes in Hospice.

Oh wow, I would be scared to work so much in the final semester. I had to go from part time (CNA) to PRN because it seemed every weekend I was on was a weekend before a test and even though I still did well on all my tests, it about killed me with the stress. I feel for you, with a little one to take care of. No advice on how to manage, since mine are grown up, but I wish you the best. I'm hoping my final semester (starting Jan 12) will be a little less of a killer than our third semester was.

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Just think of every class and clinical and hour at work this semester as a deposit in the bank that is your son's life. In two more semesters, your son will be 3, and you'll be an RN. Think of all the wonderful things you can do during the following 15 years after that!

Before you know it, you'll only be busy 3 days a week, and have 4 days to spend with your son. Press on, you'll never regret it later.

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I was blessed with excellent daycare, so when my life was in upheaval my kids had the same teachers, the same friends, the same routine every day. Little kids crave routine and predictability, that's what they need; if they have that, they'll be fine. They know who their mom is. Let them know how much you love them by doing your routine and theirs with cheer and grace. It'll work out.

And one day one of them will pound in the front door on Sunday (as mine did at 2) and say, "School, mama! School!" She knew I went to mine and she loved hers, too.

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Thanks everyone for your encouraging words! I hate splitting my time, probably in my opinion as a new mom the hardest part of nursing school but it is all temporary. I am blessed with wonderful day care so in that sense he does have structure and routine.

2 more semesters and I am out of there! Thanks again!

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Specializes in ICU.

I'm a single mom. My son is 8, about to turn 9. We talked about me going back to school. He is very excited for me to become a nurse. He said, Mommy I can't wait to tell people my mom is a NURSE!! He is very proud of that. I'm blessed with a sweet kiddo. I make sure I schedule, schedule, schedule!!! I have 3 planners, a calender on my computer which I print out for those who are watching my kiddo, and a dry erase board in my kitchen where I write out what is going on that week so my son can see and knows in advance.

GreenTea is right about kids loving a routine. My son has always thrived on it. When there is a change, he doesn't like it too much. He likes to know exactly what is going on. A routine suits him well. But even if I only have say 15 minutes, I make sure I spend it with him. We do something that his therapist suggested. I got divorced last year and had to put him in therapy. He is doing so much better. But she suggested we do something called Talk Time. He picked the place where he feels the most comfortable in the house. He picked my room. Then we set aside time to talk right there. If I have to put down the books for talk time I do it. You can't let that part of your life fall behind. I know this is a sacrifice but don't sacrifice your kids for nursing school. He loves it and I learn a lot from him in talk time. Sometimes, we may just play a game. 1 game of Uno. That 15-30 minutes with you is pretty much all they need and they will be happy. I take my books to his practices and study while he works out. Just me being present is what is important to him.

What I am saying is you will find a balance. I'm on my 5th semester of school now, with 2 to go after this one. My kid has not felt left behind at all. You can make it work. :yes:

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