I'm IN!!! but in need of some advice

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out of 250 applicants, I am one of the 40 accepted at my school. I will have all of my pre-reqs and co-reqs done after this summer, and before nursing school starts...I'm all ready to go....then life throws you for a loop, I'm 10 weeks pregnant and due Oct. 16. (I'm married and this will be our second child) Does anyone know the rule on prego-nursing students, or is this completely unheard of? I have to send them my letter of acceptance or declination by april 3. So, what to do?

thanks for any and all advice!

l_e_mae,

good for you! Wow, you made it... in both ways!

I don't know about prego students...but, babies are a blessing! Take it from an infertile person... enjoy your predicament.

Sorry I can't offer any real advice!

First, congratulations on your acceptance! You should be very proud of yourself! No, pregnancy during school is not unheard of. There have been a few expectant and new moms at my school. I'd think that your decision is going to have to be based on your own personal circumstances, for example, childcare arrangements, any complications or difficulties with your pregnancy, how well you're feeling in general (nursing school is very stressful and demanding and can wear you down even when you're feeling great), and how your school would help you with absences, reschedule tests/assignments, etc. I would accept the spot and also schedule an appointment with an advisor or the dean to discuss your concerns and the accomodations you may need. Maybe you could do part-time the first semester or even hold off and start in the Spring term if that's possible. But, at any rate, I would accept the spot they're holding for you. You can always give it up later but may not be able to get it back if you decline now. Anyway, I don't know if I helped or not, but good luck and congratulations again! (On the new baby too!)

P.S.

I am also in Central Illinois so feel free to email me if you'd like. What school are you going to?

I have seen a few expecting moms at my school (Heartland Comm. College) but didn't know if this was taboo in the nursing program. I have heard of very strict policies with other schools (I haven't checked out our policies yet) where students are kicked out for missing more than 2 days. I kind of feel that I should give up my spot now so someone else can be happy and fulfill their nursing dream and take time out to fulfill my "mommy dream" I feel that I am being selfish taking a spot if I am only going to get kicked out of the program later (say I'm put on bedrest the last 2 wks of pregnancy...I probably couldn't make that up).

Of course, I need to stop speculating and find out the schools policies on missing days before I decide. I should also talk to someone at the school about their willingness to work with me.

thanks for the replies...they helped a lot (keep 'em comin')

By the way, our school doesn't allow you to go part time or start later, once you're in, you have 2 yrs to complete the program and that's it. (but that was a good idea too!)

I can tell you about the two in our program that had babies during the program...one did not make it to the second semester..she had to miss too much due to the birth. The other one has constantly questioned whether she should go on....no time for the kids, and it just about killed her when her 3 month old baby had to be hospitalized with pneumonia, and she had to have a friend stay with him while she went to clinicals. I am constantly amazed at what my classmates go through. Some do manage with small children and jobs. If you don't need the job right away, I would wait. I waited until mine went to college ...I am not saying wait that long, but you will miss out on so much with two small children, they grow up so fast. I found nursing school to be a LOT harder and more time consuming than the pre recs, A year will go fast with 2 small children, you might ask if you automatically get in next year. Best wishes for what ever you decide.

Well, I think you should talk to the school. With you being due in October you may run into problems. I am pregnant now, but not starting clinicals till August (well it's not official yet, but should be). Anyhow, it all depends on how much time you are going to have to take off of school. I seriously contemplated applying for the Spring term (this semester) but decided to wait. I am not sure if it will truly be practical for you to go in the fall. It will mean only taking a few days off after giving birth. It is possible your school will let you take a couple weeks off, but even that will be difficult for you to make up the time. Some schools do have policies about whether you can go depending on when you would be due. I absolutely hated waiting out this semester, but I know it was the right decision for me. I am taking the last of my general ed classes this semester. They could have been taking alongside my nursing courses, but I thought this was the best thing to do. You will definitely need to talk to someone in the nursing department to see if you will even be allowed to go and if you are how much time you will be allowed off of school when you give birth. I honestly would wait till the spring term. That's just my opinion. Being pregnant now I know I couldn't handle nursing classes this semster as miserable as I have been the past couple weeks.

Specializes in PCU, Critical Care, Observation.

I had a friend that had a baby in the middle of a semester during one of her nursing classes. She was lucky that there were no complications & that she had enough family support that she was able to only miss a couple of actual class days & keep up with the class load. If it were me, I would put off entering until the following semester because you don't know if there will be complications plus you need some time off not only to rest, but to bond with that baby when it arrives. Not to mention the lack of sleep you'll be experiencing.

Congratulations on getting accepted & on the pregnancy!

I think I would give my spot to someone else... If you were due in December or January, I'd say otherwise... At my school you can miss 16hours and then your are OUT.... No matter what the reason baby, sx, family probs...

Congrats.. and Good Luck making your decision

Specializes in Adult Med-Surg, Rehab, and Ambulatory Care.

First of all, good luck and God bless with whatever you decide. Also, congo rats! Babies are wonderful aren't they??? :kiss

Having been there (I was pregnant last year), I will offer my 2 cents...I'd wait until the Spring semester. You will thank yourself later for waiting those few months. At least I did!

Thanks so much for all of your replies, lots of things to think about. If I decide to wait, I am not guaranteed a spot in the nursing program next year (no spring admissions at my school) I will have to reapply and hope to get in.

Currently, I work 35 hrs. per week and am taking 11hrs. of classes (microbio., a&p, and sociology) I'm doing ok so far but I hate being away from my little guy so often. If I go into the nursing program and take 12 weeks off of work when baby #2 comes, I will only have school for the fall semester, no work. That may help out a lot. If I don't go to school, I will probably have to go back to work as I cannot justify taking so much time off work to my hubby who has to work extra hrs. to make up my time off.

Keep the replies comin' they are helping me think about this (I have to decide by April 3--of course I can always accept now and back out later)

Thanks!!

What happens if you start the program then have to quit for some reason does that put you higher up on the list to restart??

Specializes in Critical Care.

Congratulations to you, when I was in nursing school two of our students became pregnant and both graduated. You may be off track for a semester or two but it won't stop you if you are determined. Good luck.

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