Do you have children?

[Wan2BRN]

I am looking for some motivational stories of mommy's or daddy's who are in or plan on going into a nursing program and how you do it? I mean how do you not get super stressed? How do you handle school, work, and home life?

I am 25, 26 this Dec and I have a 2.5 yo and am due with my 2nd son in Dec also. I am pretty much just starting my pre reqs and it's not those I am worried about, it's the actual RN program that scares me and makes me think about how I will be able to spend time with my family, study hard, take care of home and possibly work, if I need to, which I hope I don't.

I have had this dream of being an RN for a long time and I guess you can say am a late bloomer and just now taking action. It's important to me now than ever because I have 2 little ones to care for and don't want to fail.

So please help a young mom out and give me some advice, tips, and your experience is greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance!

[my3suns]

I have 4 boys. 18,13,10 &7. My youngest 3 are in sports so they keep me pretty busy. I dont work and since they are all in school I try to study a lot while they are in school. then maybe just a little stuff to look over at night when they get settled. My husband is great and helps with dinner and the boys have chores. You can make it work. I took a time management course and that really helped me a lot!

[melmarie23, MSN, RN]

I don't (though I am pregnant with my first-luckily I am due after I graduate this December) but a few of my classmates do. Its been challenging for them, balancing school, work [as some were techs, and now are RNs-we took our boards this summer] and family, but they do it. Its manageable, and even more so if you have a great support system to help back you up.

[Justanotherday]

Last school year I was able to sleep in until 7:30, but with my oldest going into junior high this year, I will have to get up at 6:00am. Hopefully I will be able to get into bed way before 2:00am unlike last year.

You know, my mom did not get up with me when I went to junior high! I just set my alarm and got myself up at 6 so I could spend 30 minutes curling my hair. I did not get up with my kids, either, I just woke up and they were gone. The bus came even earlier when they started high school.

[healthstar, BSN, RN]

God bless all of you for taking care of your kids and also attending school. It must be extemely hard. I can only imagine.

[Anne36, LPN]

I have 4 children 19 to 6 years and am worried about the same thing. Im barely able to handle the pre-reqs. I need to get disiplined with some time managment skills. Life would certainly be different in a program. No more long coffee breaks for me.

[sherriberry1]

I have 4 boys..13,6,3, 19 months and it is HARD....I am going into my 4th semester Aug 16. I PRAY everyday...that is the only way I can get through it!!!

[jayjo]

YOU CAN DO IT!!! I started taking prerequisites in 2008 with 3 kids and it worked out great for me... I'll be starting NS on AUG. 28:yeah:.I managed to work some, make excellent grades, and keep my children involved in ballet, soccer, and church. I just had to learn to juggle. I would get up early or stay up late to study, and when I became overwhelmed I had to prioritize, so I quit my job. You may have to sacrifice somethings but I've never heard anyone regret sacrificing in order to further their education! So just do it!

SN: I feel that being older (28) and having kids helped me excel b/c I had sooo much to lose if I failed.

[BSNMomOf6]

I am working on my pre-reqs right now, and I have 5 kids, ages 6, 5, 4, 2.5, and 1. I know it will be so hard, but like jayjo said, failing is not really an option so I know I'll work SO hard b/c I'm taking so much money away from my family to do this.

[Nepenthe Sea]

I have 4-year-old twins, and am a single parent about to enter my last year of NS. It's hard, but doable. Mine were 18-months old when I started pre-reqs and I didn't think I was going to make it through school. They were a lot needier then, too. Luckily my kids play together really well. I keep some of their toys in my room and let them play in there or watch tv while I study, but when it's time to really concentrate, I put them to bed or have them go into their room. Get used to making easy meals - grilled cheese sandwiches, omelets, mini pizzas, frozen dinners.

A big part of having kids and going to NS is getting your organization and your time management down. Being a mom has actually made me better at this, too. On Sunday nights I look at the weather and figure out what my kids are wearing for the entire week. I have a seven shelf closet organizer in which I put the clothes for each day, along with clean underwear, shoes, hair stuff, whatever. If something needs to be ironed, I do all my ironing on Sunday night, and hang it up. This helps a lot, especially on the weeks that I have clinicals. I live by my planner, and write down all assignments, test dates, etc.

Some other things I do are take them to McDonald's sometimes to eat and play while I study, look at flashcards while they play in the bath, and take advantage of their time in day care by getting as much study time done during the day as I can. I don't get to spend alot of time with them, unfortunately, but I know it will be worth it in the end. Just two more semesters!

[CherryRed23]

I didn't take the time to read all the replies, so I'm sorry if I repeat something. I have a almost four year old who is autistic. It's tough helping him through his day without being in school. So I don't know how it's going to work when I start school in August.

All I can tell you, is that it's all about attitude. Just think to yourself...this HAS to work. It's going to be tough, but my kids and I NEED this to work. Going in with a can-do attitude will make all the difference in the world! Good luck!