Nursing school and newborn?

Nurses General Nursing

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I've recently completed an LVN program, and passed the NCLEX. I'm still waiting on my license - all this is really fresh. I don't think I'll have much of a problem finding a job, several students from my graduating class are already to work. The thing is, it would never be in my plans to stop here. LVN school was always just a stepping stone to RN for me. Ultimately, I want my BSN. That being said, my fiancé and I really want to start having kids soon. He has a good job as an engineer at the hospital, and I'll soon be able to work part time as an LVN. Should having a baby before starting nursing school be out of the question? We don't want to wait all those years to start a family, but I also don't want to get stuck not being able to go back to school or start and not be able to make it through school. I have a high GPA, had A's all through LVN school, and I've always pulled it off, doing well with whatever life handed me. If you've been through nursing school with a new baby, I'd really like to hear how it was and get some advice on this. Even if you've known anyone in the same situation, what happened with it? Thank you!

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Specializes in M/S, LTC, Corrections, PDN & drug rehab.

I was just like you, I wanted to become an RN shortly after I became an RN. But then I got married, had my son (who is currently 2.5) & am now pregnant again. I graduated from nursing school in 2010.

I know I still want to become an RN but it will have to wait until my second son is at least in daycare, if not school.

You have to determine what is more important to you, school or starting a family. It is not impossible to be pregnant or have children during nursing school, lots of people do. But you never know what every pregnancy will be like, kids get sick/injured & you might not have someone to watch your child(ren). It certainly is easier to manage school without being pregnant or having to take care of kids.

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Specializes in M/S, LTC, Corrections, PDN & drug rehab.

I just realized my error in the previous post. I meant I wanted to become an RN after I became an LVN. Whoops!

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Specializes in Cardiac (adult), CC, Peds, MH/Substance.

Every situation is different. Every relationship is different. Every nursing school is different. Every kid is different. But different kid + different school + different relationship + different situation still = hard, and that hard is > than the hard - a newborn. It can be done. Given a choice, would I recommend finishing nursing school first? Yup. However, that may not be your situation. It also depends heavily how much support your spouse is going to be, how much family and friend help you have, and how easily you can memorized 37 chapters for the exam tomorrow by speed reading or osmosis, while comforting a colicky infant. Keep in mind that your ease with LPN school may or may not continue in RN school. My program lost folks who had very strong academic backgrounds with previous bachelor's and master's degrees, so I wouldn't necessarily use prior PN school success as an indicator of how you'll perform in another program. Your situation has many variables. Can you do it? Sure. Is it the option for you? Maybe. Would you be more likely to survive without a newborn? Sure. Many considerations.

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Specializes in Med/Surge, Psych, LTC, Home Health.

I had my daughter in the middle of nursing school. Fortunately though,

I was nearing the end of my third semester when I had her, and I

actually really didn't miss much. I missed an exam which I was

allowed to make up.

So of course, she was an infant during my fourth, and last, semester.

Fortunately, we had my mother in law then, and she was MORE than

willing to care for the baby whenever we needed her to. My parents

live 45 minutes away, so they weren't able to help as much.

It is doable, but only if you have someone who is willing to step

up and help WHENEVER needed.

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Specializes in Med/Surge, Psych, LTC, Home Health.

Let me say too, after reading nicktexas' post... every kid IS different.

My daughter was such an easy going baby, with such a pleasing, fun

little personality. It's a good thing that she came first, and when she

did.

My son?? He came along four years later... if he would have been

the one that came along during nursing school... honestly not sure

that my in laws would have been as willing to help, as they were!

He cried a lot, had trouble sleeping a lot, was just in general a more

difficult baby and to this day has ADHD and other behavior

issues. Love him to death, he's my baby and my life... but...

just something else to consider. :)

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Specializes in M/S, LTC, Corrections, PDN & drug rehab.

I wanted to add that even if I wanted to go back to school now I can't because I generally don't sleep well & even well into my second trimester I still get horribly sick.

Also I don't have any family/friends/neighbors that could watch a newborn. We live with my mom but she works & my MIL lives an hour+ away & she works. My brother & father live in the same town an hour+ away & also work. My SIL & BIL live further away & work.

Would it have been easier to become an RN before I had kids? Yeah. But considering I've had to bow out of nursing for the time being because pregnancy makes me so ill, I'm glad I haven't bridged yet.

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