SAHM of 2 young kids wants to be a nurse. Realistic?

Nurses General Nursing

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I am looking for advice from those of you who have been through nursing school while raising a family. I am currently a stay-at-home-mom of a 3 year old and 1 1/2 year old. My background is in advertising but I quit 3 years ago when my daughter was born. I have always wanted to be a nurse and feel like now is the time to do it. I have a BA from Michigan State University so I may do an accelerated BSN program or just get an associates. Most of my previous science classes will not transfer (b/c of bad grades) so I am basically starting from scratch. I am hoping to start taking my prereqs this winter and then would start nursing school when my youngest enters kindergarten (2013). I'm just unsure how realistic it will be to go through nursing school full-time while still needing to pick my kids up from school, make dinner and all of the other Mom stuff. Is there anyone out there that has gone through nursing school while raising young kids? Am I crazy to do it when they are so young (youngest would be 5 when I start) or should I wait until they are older and less dependent on me? Any advice is appreciated!

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Specializes in Med-Surg.

Haven't personally done so, but went to school with plently of women with young kids at home. Work with nurses who did so. It is possible, just requires a great deal of committement, a strong support system. Anyone in nursing school has to accept that their time with their families and loved one will be limited, and that is very hard for someone with small kids. You just have to decide if its worth the sacrifices to your family in the long run.

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I say go for it, if you feel your ready. I don't see anything wrong with knocking a few prereqs off here and there until your oldest heads to Kindergarten. I am in your very same position right now with a 4 y/o and a 3y/o. Just remember "slow and steady wins the race"

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Specializes in cardiac, ortho, med surg, oncology.

It can be done. I was a single mother with three kids ages 5, 6, & 16 when I went to nursing school. It was tough but I managed to do all the mom stuff although not to the same degree i.e. we ate more instant foods rather than cooking from scratch, not always able to pick them up from school but always managed to attend important school events like choir concerts and parent/teacher meetings. We all worked together to make it happen.

Oh, and older doesn't always equal less dependent just a different kind of dependent.

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Specializes in None, Hope to learn as much as I can.

Do it. I was in the same position 2 years ago but now I am in school, not in a nursing program yet but I had some family issues which held me back. But I have gotten my LNA in NH and currently working as an LNA. I also got my phlebotomy cert and alot of my prereqs out of the way. If it is something that you want to do, go for it.

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I started 7 years ago (before kids) doing some prereqs but quit after a semester. I was younger and didn't care. I started back up a year ago and started the nursing program this fall. I have a 5 1/2 year old and a 2 1/2 year old. I WISH I would've continued 7 years ago! It's much harder now with kids obviously, lol. But it CAN be done! So if it's what you want...then do it! Good luck!

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Specializes in Neurology.

I am going back for an ABSN. I did all my science prereqs online and starting in Jan. I have three young kids, but I think it will be better for me and the family in the long run. I have a supportive mom and husband. I would do what works for your family!

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Specializes in Emergency Dept. Trauma. Pediatrics.

I was a SAHM and started taking Pre Reqs about 4 years ago with 3 boys at home, 2 younger one school age, now I am in nursing school and have 4 children, all 3 boys are school age and my youngest which is my daughter is 2.5 I am managing and doing well I need my husbands help now and again, with taking my daughter in the AM to her pre school, and he makes dinner if I make him lunch in the mornings but he will soon be leaving for 4-5 months to work in Cali so I will be a single mom practically (just not financially) doing it.

If you have the motivationa and determination you can make a lot of things happen. I know it's corny but truly, where their is a will their is a way.

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Specializes in LTC, rehab, medical review.

A lot of the girls I went to school with were moms and did fine. I have four children. I was pregnant with my 4th while in nursing school (had him July 2009, graduated at 38 weeks pregnant). It was hectic at times, but do able. Now if I could just find a job...that's the impossible thing. I think LOOKING for a job is harder with children than going to school.

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A pro that I saw (as a single mom going through NS) is that they will learn from example how important school is. Also, they will see you doing hard work and the pay off in the end. Thats what I always told myself though school. Good luck!

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No one can really tell you if it is a realistic plan or not. I can tell you (as many other posters have and will continue to!) that there are single moms in nursing schools that are doing just fine. It is, of course, not without sacrifice...only you can know if it is worth it or not.

I can tell you one thing though....a happy mom is usually a better parent than an unhappy one!

If you do decide to go through with it, be sure to rely on your support system (friends, family) to help out. You could also go to school part time, if that is an option for you and you aren't in a major hurry to "get in get out."

good luck :)

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Specializes in Hospice.

I started LPN school and went full time while my kids were 2 and 5. Now they're 3 and 6 and I'm in RN school full time and work full time. It's definitely doable, you just have to be committed to being organized.

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