FNP Students-When to have a baby?

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I am an FNP student at the University of Iowa. I'm about to start my clinical year in August: 180 hours this fall, 180 hours in the spring, and 270 hours next summer, while also taking classes for my specialty, and starting my capstone project work.

My question is, has anyone gotten pregnant before/during their clinical year? If so, how did it go? There are no plans as yet; in fact, I had wanted to wait until I was at least finished with clinical, if not with school itself, but now I'm just not sure I want to wait. So, is it doable? If there's anyone out there who has gone through U of I's program, that would be greatly helpful as well.

Thanks for any help!

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Hi! Fellow Iowan here. I don't have an answer for you but I'd love to hear how you're liking your program!

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Progressive Care Unit.

So, it sounds like my program was set up a bit differently...mine is spread out over three years, with 8 semesters total, and six clinical rotations. But I got pregnant going into my final year in the program, so basically I completed three clinical rotations while pregnant and gave birth this past February in the middle of my last semester. I just graduated last week, so it is totally doable!!

Did it make things more difficult? yes. But I didn't want to put my life on hold (I also got married while in school). I will say that having a great support system is essential. My husband and my mom were able to watch the baby while I finished clinical and went to class this past semester. I wouldn't have been able to do it without their help. If you have any specific questions about how to make it work I'd be happy to help!

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Glad to hear things worked out well for you. Did you go to University of Iowa too? I'm looking into PA vs NP and it sounds pretty impossible to have a baby during PA school.

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Progressive Care Unit.

No, I went to Misericordia University in PA. But yes, from what I understand about PA school I think it would be a lot more difficult to juggle having a newborn. The nice thing about NP programs is that a lot of them (including mine) are offered part-time. I was able to work throughout the program and the faculty really worked with me this past semester when I had my baby. I could be wrong but I think most PA programs are full-time? there's no way I would have been able to manage being in classes and clinicals five days a week at this point in my life.

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