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Hi, if you are a mother with young children, please share how you are balancing nursing school and family. Thanks.

I am the parent to 4 children ages 2,5,8 and 12. I work full time over night (for now) and go to class during the day. It's stressful but worth it

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Specializes in L&D.

Im a mom of 4. They are 9, 7.5, 5.5, and 2.5. I am in an ADN program, work part time as a Nurse Tech, volunteer as a CASA worker, active SNA member, hmmm my son has football 2x a week, my girls have Girl Scouts twice monthly, counseling for my older girls every Tuesday, and Gymnastics every Tues/Thurs. I say that to show that I am an extremely busy person! It's crazy.

I graduate May 2013. Somehow I find the time to get things done. My house is a mess though! Hubby cooks at least half the meals. My girls are old enough to have chores(dishes, clean the bathroom, clean the kitchen floors(pick items up) and my 5 yr old is responsible for the living room(picking up anything on floor and vacuuming)...This helps a lot!!!

I think as a parent, you really have to learn to let some things slide, and realize that you won't get to do all the things you want with the kids. It does stink, but it is temporary!

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I went thru nursing school with two children and working nights. I have to tell you it was not easy. I did what I could but sometimes I did have to miss games - and always felt guilty. But it has to be a bit of sacrifice -all sides will get thru it. I made note cards-studied on break/lunch, at games during their prep, breaks... You can do it. Looking back not sure how it all worked out but it just does. I also scheduled everything in a planner-from what meals we were having to what I had to read, games.... Good luck-you'll do it!

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I have 2 as well, 7.5 and almost 5. I am single for now, as in no partner to help. My hubby took a job in Ky. I'm struggling, but still passing. I have had to miss a few things, and it kills me! I am doing my best, which is all I can do. I have classes 4 days a week, am the VP of the SNA, daughter has dance, son has soccer...ack!!! I am lucky enough to not have to work, thank God! I usually study when they go to bed and try to plan my things so I am with them as much as possible.

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I am in the BSN program at USF and the mother of a son with Autism (14) and a 17yr old daughter & wife of a disabled husband. I finished my Gen Ed Associates in 2 years and moved on the the University of South Florida BSN program. Even though my kids are older, it is no less a challenge. Planning is the key to success. I study at night when the kids go to bed when I do not have to worry about being bothered. Do not allow yourself to fall into the trap of "I have to settle for lower grades because of all that I have on my plate." I have a 3.9GPA and am doing great in the BSN program.... And so can you. It is not easy, I am worn out by the weekend but it is all worth it! My biggest suggestion is to buy a planner and layout the whole semester on paper. (do it in pencil) And exams are much less stressful if you do not wait to study for them until the few days beforehand. I study every night, even if I just had an exam, so that by the time there is an exam I just have to review. Also, there will be other students in the same boat. Find out who they are and collaborate on study materials. Looking at other students study guides is a great way to see the material from someone else's point of view.

All that I can say is that when you choose to succeed... you will. It will be tough and you will feel overwhelmed at times. But in the end, you will have a degree that will help you and your family AND you will show your kids that hard work pays off.

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I have five children (ages 12, 9, 6, 4, and 1), I'm in an ASN program, and I work as a student nurse extern one day a week. It's a lot! I have a husband who works nights, and that helps. On days that I'm not in class, I study. When hubby leaves for work, I'm "on duty" as Mom.

Everyone in my house knows that I'm getting my degree to help ALL of us. So everyone pitches in. My husband is a HUGE factor in my ability to juggle this. I do struggle, though, with feeling like I can't give 100% to the kids or 100% to school. I balance the best I can.

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Specializes in kids.

"All that I can say is that when you choose to succeed... you will. It will be tough and you will feel overwhelmed at times. But in the end, you will have a degree that will help you and your family AND you will show your kids that hard work pays off. "

^^^^ That! :yes: I was a Jr in a 4 year degree program when I got pregnant (married shortly thereafter-not necessarily what I would recommend but I digress....)...he was in the service so many issues were taken care of housing, pay, insurance etc...but...he would go to work Fri AM and come home Mon AM, go Mon AM come home Wed AM etc....I worked a variety of jobs in the interim....nurses aide, wove baskets, scooped ice cream.....

Just focus on the end line, keep your eye on the ball and you will succeed. I have career that is in its 29th year and my son is 31.... I was widowed when he was 4, but I had my career and it has been a fabulous ride...hard to believe I am on the downside with an eye toward thinking about what retirement might look like in 10 years or so.

Best of luck to you!

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@Musingmom- Thank you so much for responding. Everything you listed is so helpful. To know you are managing and doing well with a family gives me hope that I can do it!!

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I am the parent to 4 children ages 2,5,8 and 12. I work full time over night (for now) and go to class during the day. It's stressful but worth it
Congratulations on your accomplishments thus far! I know it will be challenging but I know it's temporary and the reward in the end is going to be great.
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Congratulations on your accomplishments thus far! I know it will be challenging but I know it's temporary and the reward in the end is going to be great.

Thank you I'm excited to finish!

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I actually was pregnant and had a 3 year old. I basically had to wait until she fell asleep around 8pm and study/homework. In the morning I had to be at clinicals at 7 am but I would drop my daughter off and get there an hour early to study. I also used my lunch to study. Flash cards helped a lot !! They actually were my savior. Group discussions like me and my friends would test each other whenever we had a chance. We would also throw random facts around. Having my boyfriend quiz me while I was bathing the baby or cooking also worked. Good luck!

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I just have to say that every woman that has posted on here is amazing! I too am a single mom....19 (in college), 16, and 10. I finished my 36 hours of pre reqs over the past year and a half with a 4.0....I have a degree in Psych I recieved in 92....but needed a ton of science and math classes still. I worked 40 hours a week, school at night and weekends...it has been so so so so unbelievably hard!!! But so worth it. I have applied to UTHSC for the Spring and find out in a few weeks if I got in....I am a wreck. I have an amazing supportive fiance that is going to support my family while I go to school. There is no way I could work and handle the load of a BSN program and raise my kids. My kids have learned to adjust. I try to do the bulk of my school work when they are in bed but that is not always feasible. I believe I am teaching them a valuable life lesson on the importance of education, time management and sacrifice. Trust me, I have had nights where I have cried and cried because I feel I am not the mom my kids need, or the study load has been overwhelming, or I am just so dang tired I can't stand it....but I have made it thru each day somehow. Good luck to all of you out there!!!

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