Did Anyone Go To Nursing School While Raising Kids?

meownsmile, BSN, RN · Dec 16, 2005

I did it twice. First time my kids were 3,4 and 8. Second time they were a bit older but still in their tween/teen years. Just spend as much time as you can with them. The special times take breaks from study,, bathtime, bedtime. And then make sure you hit the books hard after they are in bed for the night. Good luck,, you will do it, lots of us have.

michelle95 · Dec 16, 2005

My oldest child was 3 when I went to LPN school...then, he was 9 and my yougest 4 when I just finished RN school.

It's very hard but not impossible. I used it as a learning experience for my oldest son. And, I made sure my children understood that they would, also, benefit in the end because our quality of life would be better.

Good luck. If you have your mom helping that is a big plus. I actually moved back in to my mom's house during RN school....and, she was a tremendous help for me.

allnurses Guide · Dec 16, 2005

My mom moved in with us when I went back to school. I didn't start school until my youngest was in 1st grade. We had three children then.

It was very hard nonetheless. But I did it.

steph

Jerico, BSN, RN · Dec 16, 2005

I have gone through to get three degrees with raising children during each degree.

It is a juggling contest, but can be done.

I didn't have a Mom to help me either...gosh, that would have been great!

allnurses Guide · Dec 16, 2005

I have gone through to get three degrees with raising children during each degree.
It is a juggling contest, but can be done.
I didn't have a Mom to help me either...gosh, that would have been great!

I dunno . . . my mom smoked, my kids had asthma and she refused to smoke outside and my husband (who is a saint) and my mom did not get along. It was tough.

Be careful what you wish for. :)

steph

StuNurseUP · Dec 16, 2005

I have 2 kids, a 12 month old and a 35 month old . I just fnished my 2nd semester at UP. It is hard to find a balance b/w study/kids/alone time.

It can be done but it hard. Reletives are a great resource! I wish you luck, you can do it!

Nurse GOODNIGHT · Dec 16, 2005

It is hard as I see. Don't think it is fair to the kids, though. The kidlets are only young once. Most people in school spend time studying and if they aren't they are thinking about school=less kiddo time.

StuNurseUP · Dec 16, 2005

It can be hard on the kids if you don't have enough help and good time management skills. If you can swing not working during nursing school, or working partime it makes it better for the kids. I treat school as a 50 hour work week and reserve the weekends for my chikdren . It works well. I don't even attempt to study while they are awake...it is too frustrating for all involved:rolleyes:

Wise Woman RN · Dec 16, 2005

My kids were 4 and 8 when I started school. They went to two different schools, I drove and picked them up. I taped a lot of their favorite books for them to listen to because I worked afternoons. I kept the kitchen, the kids and their clothes clean, but the vacuuming and heavy cleaning didn't get done as much... I also taught the kids what I was learning.... LOL... it helped me to be able to talk out loud about my lessons... I went to nursing school full time, worked part time, and had full care of the house, the ex was out of town on business a lot... don't know now how I did it, but my kids learned how important education was, I think by my working so hard... you can get through it... I graduated summa cum laude, and my classmates let me give the graduation speech... *S* they were all much younger than I... I was 41 when I graduated... so hang in there, dust bunnies never killed anyone...

Kansas_RN · Dec 16, 2005

--I posted this another place, but had about the same answer as I would give you. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------

My kids were 1, 2, and 4 1/2 when I went back to school. They are now 8,9 and 12. They hardly remember anything about me being in school, and now my hubby and I can afford to do some fun things with the kids that we wouldn't have been able to otherwise. They were too young to play the "why is your school more important than me" card. It is hard, but if you want it bad enough you can do it and if you love to help people you won't regret it. It is hard....but school won't last forever! YOU CAN DO IT!!!!

futureRN07 · Dec 16, 2005

I have two kids, one is in first grade and the other is in fourth. I just finished my second term at OHSU (a BSN program in Oregon) and so far everythings is going well. I'm single and the closest family member to me is two hours away so that makes things a little difficult at times because I NEVER get time to myself. Luckily, I only have to work part-time because of the help I get from grants, scholarships, and lots of loans. At this point, I think that I'm just used to being pulled in a million directions and I've developed great multitasking skills because of it. I can study, help my kids with their homework, and watch my favorite TV program all at the same time :). Hang in there because it will be over before you know it and your kids will love and respect you for what you've done for yourself and them.