how hard is it

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How hard is it to be a mother and a full time nurse? Any suggestions on how to be great and both roles?

How hard is it to be a mother and a full time nurse? Any suggestions on how to be great and both roles?

Since you are only 21 you have plenty of time to have kids. Take it from me when I say that it would be so much easier if you get nursing school out of the way BEFORE you have kids. No childcare worries/ expenses would have been heaven in nursing school for me. I almost had to drop out because of that issue.

Once the school part is done and you actually have kids you sure can make it work. There have been great suggestions on here, particularly 12 hr shifts as opposed to 8 for more off days. I would add maybe looking into a clinic setting that only does Monday -Fri maybe occassional Sat.

Best of luck, whatever you decide.

I'm a full time mom and full time nurse at a military treatment facility (troop clinic). Even with the great hours and benefits I still miss my kids. I do get every weekend and holiday off--so I am there when they don't have school. It's a juggling act. The house isn't always clean but my kids are well loved. Thanks to a great sitter and the help from their father. It can be done, but there are some sacrifices--you have to decide for yourself.

Being a good mom and a good nurse are both full time jobs. The worst thing you can do is to bring one to the other....When you leave your job, do just that. If you had a rotten day, don't take it out on your kids. The best thing to do is hide yourself in your room for 20 or 30 minutes to recenter your energy and not transfer your frustrations to your children. As anyone working two jobs, it is VITAL to find some time to get away from it all. Even if it's an overnight trip out of the city. Unwind, relax, let your hair down, and let the kids be kids. Don't know how much help this is, but it is "doable" to be good at both. Keep your priorties straight in understanding you have to take care of you first, otherwise, it can all go to pieces in a heartbeat. Good luck!:imbar

How hard is it to be a mother and a full time nurse? Any suggestions on how to be great and both roles?

Forgot to add Lesley girl, the fact you are asking this question at all speaks volumes to me (a mother and a nurse myself) about the kind of person you are...one who will be a good mother and undoubtedly a good nurse too. Best wishes to you! :)

We DO need to set some healthy limits for ourselves in order to avoid burnout..ie 'doing too much'....one of my limits was a personal decision to work only PRN (1 -3 shifts a week, scheduled at MY convenience)when kiddos were small. I knew this was best for me AND my family.

You CAN be a great mom and a great nurse at the same time.

But I would strongly advise you to at least get your BSN before you have kids. I watched several of my school mates struggle with their family life and their school life and it's just easier on everyone involved to get your basic education first. Even today, I have a friend who is trying to go from LVN to BSN and she has teens at home. It's rough going to school and it's rough paying for school.

As far as that old argument about whether you are cheating your kids if you work...well, if I thought I was going to have to stay home all day and do nothing but housework and childcare I would have had to kill myself.

I love my kids and I have been deeply, deeply involved in their lives but I am not stay at home material and I know that. Kudos to those that do, but not me!

Nursing gave me the best of both worlds. I worked full time (32 hours q wk)with 2 16 hour shifts (Tuesdays and Fridays) throughout the time my kids were small. I got to use my brain, feel stimulated and empowered and still be a great mom to my children. We did lots of fun activities like a nature scrapbook, bread baking, a vegetable garden, story writing, dance classes, gymnastics classes, karate classes and field trips. At work I was able to be a preceptor and education specialist and I made enough money to support my family and have some extras (we have a dad in our house too!) Now, I have a position of importance and my kids love to tell people how I am "the boss" and I've shown them that you can be a good parent and still fulfill your own goals and personal achievement.

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