Considering Whether I Should Continue My BSN

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I am really struggling.

Last August I started my BSN program at a small University. Our class is extremely small (10 students) because we are the first traditional nursing class. That having been said, all of our professors are extremely experienced and wonderful teachers.

Anyway. I already have one bachelor's degree, from a large state university. I got married just before my senior year and had our first daughter during school (just after my senior capstone was finished - thank goodness!) - March 28 of last year!

I have always been into nursing, and this opportunity opened itself up to me to the point where I knew I had to take it. I really do love my classmates and professors. I enjoy nursing very much, and I am one of the top in my class in terms of grades. We all help each other out. However, I miss out on all of the extracurricular activities that they enjoy because when I'm not in class I am at home with my baby. None of them are in my situation so I'm not sure they quite understand how it kind of hurts me to miss out on the group fun and learning. I really do feel left out sometimes.

Having said that... My husband and I just found out that I am expecting our second child in October. I have been pregnant in school before, but nursing school is a whole different ball game. My husband is doing his master's degree now, and it feels like I have barely enough time to get all of my work done due to scheduling and looking after my darling daughter.

I have no familial support because my parents live 2 hours away and they are busy looking after my sister's young daughter. My in-laws are English so obviously they aren't around either!

We moved to this town in August of last year (2015) just as we started in our college programs. We barely know anyone. All of my friends live 1-3 hours away, and none of them have been very keen on keeping in contact. The only way I get to see any of them is if I contact them first and they don't already have plans to do other stuff. Harder than it might sound, because they've got busy lives too!

This post is more of a vent/sorting out my thoughts than anything else.

I just don't feel like I have the emotional resources, willpower, or strength to continue this program. Pregnancy is quite hard on me. I know people will say "Why did you get pregnant then?" With all due respect, that is a personal decision made between my husband and I which I see no need to defend.

I don't really know what to do except make it through this semester and then see how things are going.

Any advice would be extremely appreciated.

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Specializes in Clinical Research, Outpt Women's Health.

If you quit what would you do? For your work future?

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If I quit, I would look after my babies. My husband and I both believe strongly in the value of stay-at-home mothers. He says we could make it by even if that happened.

Also, I will be eligible to sit for the LPN exam after this semester so that's another option.

If I did quit, I would be able to pick it up probably in the Spring of 2017. It would just mean I'm graduating later than all my classmates. Hard on my pride, but so be it!

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Specializes in ER/Tele, Med-Surg, Faculty, Urgent Care.

Can you sit out fall semester then restart in Spring 2017? Finish the current semester but take summer & Fall of this year off? When does husband finish his Masters ? Talk to your faculty. I had a student who was out for one year due to cancer diagnosis requiring chemo. To get her ready to return she asked for refresher on clinical skills which another instructor & I did during summer couple of hours a week until she felt ready. Even now we keep in touch.

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That is so great that you were willing to help her out to succeed! Thank goodness I think at least one of my instructors might be willing to work with me in a similar way if need be.

I think if I do feel that I really need to take a semester out, then that is what I would do. I basically have no choice but to finish this semester, but I may skip Fall '16 and start up again Spring '17. Having said that, I know it will be even more difficult with a 3 month old baby. I did it with my first so I should be okay - it will just be hard! I have to tell myself that they won't be scarred for life if I'm not around them 24/7 for their first 2 years...

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Specializes in Clinical Research, Outpt Women's Health.

If you can afford to then do whatever works best for your family and sanity.

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