Did Anyone Go To Nursing School While Raising Kids?

Lisa CCU RN, RN · Dec 19, 2005

I have 4 children, ages 12, 10, 8, and 3. My older children are in school when I'm in school. I only go part time so that my husband can be with my 3 year old on the days that I'm at school or at clinicals. I am very blessed with a husband with a flexible schedule. When I start RN school in the fall (I hope) I will also be working for the first time in 12 years! *gulp* My husband will be dropping his part time job and just doing his church pastoring job. He will be the main parent that my children see for those 2 years, as I will be gone from the house probably 50 hours a week. This works for our family. It's actually exciting! :) It can't be stressed enough to get a good, strong support system in place for you and your children. Best of luck to you!

Honestly, even if that support system is NOT there, you are still going to have to make it work.

I have taken my kids to the library with me and given them headphones to listen to. We had private study rooms at out library and I've put my kids in one with a video tape and went to the one across the way so I could see them and studied like that!

I've also had a friend of mine bring her kids to study with me and she brought a blanket along and said "Nap Time!''.

Blessedly, my children have never been sick enough to have to keep at home and I've never missed a class because of them.

I am not worried because as another person posted on here "If the Lord brought you to it, he will see you through it"

He will most assuredly do the same for any single parent, two parent family, or any variation thereof--you only have to ask.

kattben · Dec 20, 2005

I have two great kids, ages 13 mos. and 4 yrs. I hope to start nursing school in August. My mom lives with me and watches them when I am at school, but I am worried I won't have any time for them. Any nursing school moms with advice for me? Thanks alot!

I went back to school when my children were 6months and 2. I was working a full time job from 6 am to 2 pm and went to school part time in the evenings. I did this for 2 years. i then lost my job (due to economic cutbacks) :) . We had no family in the area. We moved closer to my family, which was 3 hours away, and my husband kept his job there for 1 year, coming home on the weekends. It was definetely easier without having to work, and i continued to go part time until i got into the nursing program. It has taken me a long time, but I graduate in May. There have been times when i would feel guilty about the time i didn't get to spend with them, but I learned that it is the quality of time more than the quantity of time. I have always taken the time to read them a story before bed, and now that they are a little older, i always help them with their homework and usually play a game in the evening too. We have plenty of other time we spend together, but this is our special family time, with no TV or other distractions.

**RosesrReder, BSN, MSN, RN** · Dec 20, 2005

Good luck to you.