how can i juggle nursing school, kids and a job without sacrificing either?

Rapheal · Feb 26, 2003

Here is some advice my N100 instructor gave me in school. "LOWER YOUR STANDARDS." She was right. I hope these suggestions help you. Remember your situation is temporary and things will improve when you are out of school.

Paper plates means less dishes.

Make 2 or three meals at a time a couple of times a week. Freeze the other meals.

Buy a box of all occasion cards. Helps for the last minute "Mom I need a card for so and sos B-day.

Gift certificates make great quick gifts.

Ask your kids to search out students with parents who might like to car pool. Then call them. Helps with the stress of ever changing clinical schedules.

Make to do lists and homework lists for your kids. All family member put pertinent info (clinical schedules, conferences, kids sports ) on 2 calenders. Take one with you to class to compare with when scheduling conferences and such.

Use notecards when making notes. I kept mine in my purse and really helped when I had a little spare time while waiting someplace or at my kid's sport games. Also these came in handy when studying for the final and for studying for NCLEX.

Good luck!!!! You can do it!!!!!!!!! :)

SmilingBluEyes · Feb 26, 2003

I don 't know you can. The would be setting yourself unrealistically if you think you can do it all w/o sacrifice, serious sacrifice in one way or the other. Hon, there is ALWAYS sacrifice when you are spread that thin. Be realistic about your expectations in each area. And follow the above suggestions. But Whoever Said WE can HAVE IT ALL was half-right. We may be able to have it, but not at once. I wish you luck in your challenges ahead. Hang in there.

Asiancutie · Feb 26, 2003

I have a full time job and go to school full time too. It's stressful so I imagine it must be really hard for you, having 2 kids... some things that help me the most

Placing all bills, house payment etc to automatic draft payment

Cooking two to three meals one night and then eating that the rest of the week

Waking up extra early (5 am) to study, exercise and fix breakfast..

Record your favorite TV shows and watch them when you are not busy... you can fast forward too so no waste of time..

Hope this helps.

Anagray, BSN · Feb 27, 2003

I'm also 27, I have a 4 year old and one on the way.

i work in the hospital as a patient care tech PT and my supervisors are have met my every need. They know i am in nursing school and they know i will be coming back after graduation to work there, even if not on my unit.

I am in school part time in the eve division, 3 nights a week. Yes, it will take longer than going FT, but I care about learning and grades, so i'd rather take my time, than sweat every week about whether i passed or not.

Again, when u go PT, u have more time to study.

There are very attractive positions available for techs in my hospital. U work track ( weekends) , 12 hour shifts and u make close to 18$/hour.

I personally can not do that, because i have no childcare on weekends.

U can do it all, u just have to do a little at a time.

MrsK1223 · Mar 1, 2003

You gotta make do with what you got. You can't give 100% to both at the same but do your best and that will be enough. I did it alone with a small son...do i feel i sacrificed alot with my son? Yes I did. I was stressed, grouchy, tired and busy studying and I know I wasn't there for him but did the best I could with the resources I had which were few. Did I always give a 100% in school? NO. I studied when I could, learned what I could and tried to spend some quality time with my son and the "have to's". I did well in school and passed my NCLEX first shot. Is my son scarred for life? No...but I know I wish I could have been in a better situation that he would not had to endure my moods and stresses but now we are great and it was a small price to pay for indepence and a better life. WE survived nursing school. Now we can afford groceries and a nice place to live.

Nurse2bee · Mar 1, 2003

My husband and I are both full time stodents. We have four boys ages 12, 11, 7, and 4. It was cheaper to put my two youngest into private christian school (they have all day kindergarten and the public school does not) than it was to pay for daycare. The kids are all in school until around 3:00pm. I have time to study during the day. My hubbie stays home with the kids while I work in the evening since I have an easier time with school work than he does. He cleans (or motivates the kids to clean) and does most of the housework. My days off are spent cleaning and extra studying. I am looking forward to graduating and maybe working a nice quiet weedend night shift or two. (I`m looking forward to those shift differentials. ) The first step was the hardest. Once we got into a routine it just becomes "normal" for your house. Oh, and we take all the student loans, grants, etc. we can get our hands on to pay the bills.

mario_ragucci · Mar 1, 2003

Originally posted by maia1212
You gotta make do with what you got. You can't give 100% to both at the same but do your best and that will be enough. WE survived nursing school.

Be careful with what you say. Your best may not be good enough and then what>? You may have had a smooth sail through the 2 year program, but other students may have a harder time if the pressure gets turned up all at once.

Be able to get help from a real source if you are geting scared that you ain't getting enough sleep. Best of luck and I'm sorry -(