FNP school and pregnant?

2015 · Jan 4, 2014

I encourage you to go to NP school if you get in. I have two kids btn the age of one and four. I work and drop and pick my son to and from school. I think I would operate better with a newborn than my two kids at the moment. If you get in and can't handle it, you can always defer up to a period of one year.

Lonlai84 · Jan 4, 2014

No your not crazy at all. I discovered that we were expecting my first semester of NP school. I was enrolled full time and working full time as we'll. I was naturally overwhelmed at first, thinking that it would be impossible for me to go through. I Aced the 1st semester . Successfully completed the 2nd semester which included a clinical rotation of 90 hours in addition to still working full-time. I delivered at the end of April 2013 . I can remember being in Labor finishing up my final health policy paper and taking my final exam for health assessment. My program was put for the summer. I was on maternity leave for 12 weeks. I returned to work full time in July and classes resumed in August 2013 . This semester was for sure tough . It requires 330 clinical hours in addition to 3 other courses and working full time. In addition to taking care of a toddler and newborn who was exclusively breast feeding . So at this point my breast pump became my best friend. Now baby is now 8 months and I successfully made it out of this semester and on Monday I will begin my final semester . Graduation is set for May 3, 2014. So to answer your question you can Definitely do it as long as you have a healthy pregnancy and a strong support system . Good luck and I wish you the best . And congratulations on your new edition.

uronurse1 · Jan 4, 2014

You can do it! I found out I was expecting my first, a big surprise after years of infertility, the day I got my acceptance to NP program. I elected to take 2 courses non-matric (during 1st and 2nd trimester), to lighten load of program). I also worked full time but ended up going down to 25 hrs per week when I started clinical which was my third trimester. I took 12 weeks maternity leave. I was also due the end of August which was perfect as I delivered one week after the end of one semester and 9 days before I started my next. It was a 4 semester full time program; took me 18 months altogether including non-matric courses. I graduated the day before my daughters first birthday with 3.95 GPA and passed my boards 5 weeks later. It was a whirlwind of a program but very, very doable.

I had a very smooth, uneventful pregnancy and delivery which was no doubt crucial to staying in the program. I also had an awesome support system in my husband, parents, and in-laws, and friends. After the first few weeks my husband took turns on baby duty at night which guaranteed somewhat decent sleep every other night. He did her bedtime routine every night so I could stay up late and study, etc. I had family members assigned to babysit 6 days per week for while I was working, studying, clinical, etc. I am eternally thankful for all the help I had. My employer, a physician, was ultra supportive and allowed me to arrange my work schedule to fit my needs. He just wanted me to focus on baby and getting through school. Also, I attended school online which saved me so much time that would have been needed for travel. I was able to find clinical sites within 5 minutes of my home which was huge.

You can do it. If you have a good support system and the determination, you won't fail. I think my daughter gave me that much more determination because now I was doing this for her future. Gave me a whole new perspective. Congratulations on the pregnancy!

sbj101 · Jan 5, 2014

You can do it! I found out I was expecting my second (our oldest was 1.5 at the time) a few weeks before starting my APNP program and I was also working full time. I ended up taking a final the day I came home from the hospital after delivering and another final a couple of days later. I ended up not returning to work after maternity leave and continuing school full time. I have since found out I am pregnant with our third :) and will start my last semester on Monday. My due date is 2 weeks after my graduation date. Two years of grad school, two new babies. :) I will tell you I wouldn't have been able to do it without an excellent support system. For what it's worth, I think it's easier to do school the younger the child is...especially if there is only one.

Congrats, btw!!!!!

SMS80 · Jan 5, 2014

Not going to lie... It's hard but do-able. I knew I was 5 weeks pregnant with my fourth child at the time of the interview for my FNP program. Hubby and I had a long discussion but we felt it was right opportunity. So, I continued on, full-time, even through clinicals. I had a good relationship with my midwives; so they agreed to induce me if needed between end of the semester exams and finals. I was 2 days past due date with a history of big babies. Fortunately, I had Christmas break to recover.

IMO, the older children are the more they need you (homework, school activities, sports, etc.). You have to have family help or an awesome daycare that you trust and a very supportive husband. There were days I thought I was crazy and I knew I drove my husband crazy. But we love each other very much and always work together as a team for the good of the family.

I wish you luck. If it is truly in your heart, you will find a way to make it happen.

Cindy-20 · Jan 26, 2014

Thanks so much for your support. I've started to read the Advanced Pathophysiology material for the course I'm taking and am starting to feel overwhelmed ;(

missdeevah, NP · Jun 7, 2014

@ Cindy-20 how is it going? I'll be 6 months pregnant when I start the FNP program and was wondering how things have been for you so far.

Cindy-20 · Jun 7, 2014

All is well, thanks. My husband and I have decided that it is best to defer my FNP acceptance for this Fall until Fall 2015. With that said, my plan is to take a couple of courses in the Spring. Since our baby is due 8/27, it may be too much to expect to start school a week later, etc. I think it should work better once we have a routine established. We shall see...

bcaball4 · Dec 6, 2017

I just also got accepted to FNP program but I've been nervous about doing the program with 2 kids and having to volunteer minimum 8 hrs a week at a clinic the first year so that they can help me with my practicums.... did you have to put your kids in childcare? Or did you just kept them home with you and you made time for school?

Cindy-20 · Dec 8, 2017

I used an in home daycare for the first few months, but I had only one child then and my daughter only went 1 day/week so I could devote that day to school work. We were lucky enough to have the help of my mom who retired early and watches both kids 2 days/week. Without her help and the support of my husband, I would not be able to do it. It's a lot of work, but if its something you want to do, go for it.