Concern re being able to do it all- Advice needed

[Cindy-20]

Good morning,

I'm concerned and thought I would post on this forum to see if others had constructive advice as to what I should do.

Background: I have already for Fall admission into an FNP program.

In early December, I registered to take Advanced Patho in the Spring. The course began last week. The professor mentioned that the course would occupy at least 12 hrs/wk. My husband and I also found out we were pregnant with our first baby the last week in December which is very exciting. I currently work 40 hrs/wk and will be starting a 12 hr/wk part-time job that I will be working from home in the next month or so. My plan is to be able to work the telecommuting job when I start school part time and be able to give up my full time job at that point.

Now my question...I want to do well in this course, but worried that I am spreading myself too thin. Maybe it's the constant feeling of being tired lately, but I on the fence about dropping this course. I have until this coming Monday to do it without penalty.

I do realize that things will be a lot tougher once a baby is in the equation (due late August), but I am hoping I will be established in the telecommuting job and be able to focus on that, school, and baby.

Any thoughts?? I'm not a quitter by any means. I just want to be able to do all things and all things well. This weighing heavy on me as I go back and forth. One part of me says to tough it out and the other part says to wait to find out if I even get into the program....

Your advice/opinion is kindly appreciated. Thank you and my apologies for the excessively long post.

[uronurse1]

Only you know what you can handle. I can share with you my experience. I worked 40 hrs and took two courses during my first two trimesters. During my third trimester i took three courses (adv patho, adv pharm, and comp assessment), worked 25 hours per week, and did 6-10 clinical hours per week. It was hard but definitely doable. I finished my last full time semester (including 224 clinical hours) with a newborn. My last two semesters were part time, but i was back to working 25 hours per week and 25 hours of clinical per week. I graduated the day before she turned 1. I made all As and passed boards without a problem. This was first pregnancy (surprise pregnancy after years of infertility) as well and i was 32. I feel like she gave me a totally new focus; it was for her from then on. I turned into a machine and was determined to succeed. Also, i didnt stress about my pregnancy because there was no time to! It was a totally crazy year but i knew it would be "easier"(ha) with her as a newborn then a toddler. Also i took 90 days for maternity leave which really helped me get through the last full time semester. I had an AWESOME support system between hubby, family, and friends. Could not have made it through without them.

Good luck and congratulations!!!