Dropping out of nursing school

[varonte69]

I need help. I'm considering dropping out of nursing school, and its not something that I want to do but something that I have to do. I have a 7 month old son , and I can't find anyone to watch him while I'm at school, and at clinicals. My boyfriends work hours conflict with my school hours, so there is a time period where we would have to find something to do with the baby. Plus we only have one car and my clincal sites are over a hour away from home. Moms out there, what did you do with your kids while in school, or while at work? Am I doing the right thing by dropping out? I know I will really regret it later. Please don't bash me in the comment section. I just came here for emotional support, not to be judged. Sorry this post is all over the place, and random.

[VioletKaliLPN, LPN]

We certainly do not want you to drop out, but we cannot ignore the fact that you need something that you cannot afford(childcare). Nursing school is a beast not easily undertaken without good childcare.

You may have to drop out, but you can use that time to set yourself up for success later. Use effective birth control so that you are not going to have another baby while in school, and work as much as possible to save up money to pay for childcare.

It really sucks, and I am sorry.

[wantobern01]

I guess my question is how old are you and how long have you been in nursing school. Sometimes you can find a adult who loves children and would be willing to come to your home to sit. How far from graduation are you? No help from parents? To me these are determining factors as to drop or stay i school. Perhaps you can get your CNA certificate if you haven't already and work nights when your BF and baby sleep. That could help you save some $ to put toward your needs especially if you have to drop out temporarily, what you save can go toward daycare. Or maybe their are other students in the same predicament and you could start some share care for one another. I would talk to the school and see what they can offer you or suggest the option. They may say come back and put you on hold until you are in a better position. Good luck.

[NICUismylife, ADN, BSN, RN]

There are daycare centers that have cameras in the room that you can access via the internet to check up on your child any time you want to. Would that possibly give your hubby the peace of mind to allow the baby to attend daycare? You could take out a student loan to pay for it. It would be worth it to start earning a good salary sooner. How far into school are you? If you only have a couple of semesters left, then you really need to get this finished. If you haven't actually started the nursing program yet, it's more realistic to delay, but I still don't think it's wise. You really need to keep your knowledge and skills up all the way through and taking a break could be very detrimental to your overall success.

[Meeshie]

I can't tell you what you should do. I can tell you that my mother in law watched my son throughout my nursing classes and clinicals. You have to have stable adequate child care so you can do clinicals. You have to have transportation to get to clinicals. These really aren't negotiable items. Try talking to your school.. they might have resources to help you.

[joleneliddell]

You can take a leave, most leave of absence terms are a year. A lot can change in a year. Maybe take a leave and work on getting a cheap second vehicle; work on finding low-cost child care options that you and your boyfriend are comfortable with. Don't just give up though, even if it feels hopeless right now.

Maybe you have relatives or neighbors who are willing to help you out. Maybe a friend of a friend has a cheap car for sale. Maybe you can talk to a classmate who lives nearby and would be willing to carpool. Research your options before you make your final decision.

[Marysan767]

care.com is a great site and app that has the options of teenagers or young adults that you get to interview for cheap plus a background check. and you can set up cameras in the house . people will literally drop applications in your inbox. you set the price, and those willing will inbox you.

[Pca_85revived, LPN]

If I were you, I'd research every alternative prior to dropping out. Starting with cheaper child care and the websites pp's have mentioned. What kind of program are you in? I'm asking because you can sit for LPN boards after two semesters of an RN program. Then, you can work as an LPN and do an LPN to RN bridge online. If you're not that far along, many states allow you to become an STNA after the first semester of clinicals, where you basically do primary care that an aide would do. I'm hoping you don't have to drop out. Nursing school isn't a picnic, I hope you can at least sit for LPN boards. Also, if you quit, hoping your credits transfer, so you can pick up where you left off. Best wishes.

[AngelKissed857, BSN, RN]

It also sounds like you're dropping out because he's inflexible and not willing to support you. I'm guessing he could get another job, and that at least some child care is available through school. Millions of kids every single day go to daycare workout incident-if you really want this, make it happen.

[AngelKissed857, BSN, RN]

It also sounds like you're dropping out because he's inflexible and not willing to support you. I'm guessing he could get another job, and that at least some child care is available through school. Millions of kids every single day go to daycare workout incident-if you really want this, make it happen.

[Joanne1212]

I'm attending a part time program and that's one of the only ways I've been able to manage getting through school. My husband has also worked very hard (and by this I mean, anywhere from leaving work early so I can make it to an exam, to taking a few days off so I could go do a Hurst Review live) to accommodate my schedule; and just recently my mom has been chipping in. This is something we both thought through and planned thoroughly, so he has backed me up 100% every step of the way. I could not have done any of it without him and his desire to see me accomplish my dreams.

I would talk to your school administrators about letting you take a semester or two off. My school has allowed a few people to do that and return later on. Maybe until your b/f can get a new shift, or you've found affordable childcare. I strongly recommend talking to your school and withdrawing instead of getting to a point where you are failing. Not only is that a total waste of money, you could jeopardize your chances of going anywhere else or returning back to your school.

[ScrappytheCoco]

I attended nursing school at a community college that was vocationally focused...they had a program which provided a childcare voucher for school/clinical days only for students that met certain income requirements. I would talk with the financial aid office...you never know.