Nursing Students/Grads with kids????

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I have a question about going to nursing school and having kids. Today I just got a sudden panic attack when I realized that in just less then 2 months, I'll be in nursing school. Well, I had to miss a class (on Monday) b/c my son had pink eye and the school and after school care, had to send him home. (I totally understand).

Then today, my littlest one was at daycare and they said he coughed so hard he threw up. He's not sick, that's obvious by the way he's tormenting the living room :chuckle so I had to cancel an appt.

I know most nursing schools have VERY strict attendance policies. Up to this point, I have only missed one class. Which I find incredibly lucky. I'm going to call and find out exactly what our policy is. But for arguments sake, let's just say one of my kids gets the flu or strep throat and can't go to school for 2 or 3 days? I get booted from the program for being home with my kiddo???

I will say that my husband is extremely supportive, but like most jobs, he can't miss work either. So we're kinda stuck, know what I mean?

I'm just realizing I need an alternate plan to daycare and after school care. What do you all do?

Do you literally come out and ask someone to watch your sick kid on an "on call" type basis? I know if someone asked me to do it, I'd tell them no way! :chuckle Sorry for the long post, I'm just concerned and worried b/c I am literally following a dream and don't want to potentially get booted for being a mom of sick kid.

Specializes in Hospice.

I totally understand.....when I first went to nursing school both of my girls were little. And unlike you I didn't have a husband to fall back on. I was scared to death.

But......I utilized all of those wonderful people who said "call me if you need any help". My parents were wonderful. I never over abused my friends....just kind of switched them out when needed. Just be honest with them. Ask up front. What days would you be available if my child go sick to pick him/her up from school/ keep them all day......etc........line up a bunch of people! It works and keep you "unstressed".

Now that I work full-time and go to school full-time. My oldest is married and my youngest is in highschool Of course now I have a supportive hubby........that figures.

Good luck!

Specializes in Med-Surg.

So far, we haven't had any issues we can't deal with. My DH is very fortunate to have a flexible job (he works from home, but still has to go out on jobs and do a bit of traveling). We have made it through a few calls from daycare because of his ability to change schedule if needed. I don't know what we would do if something really important came up and he couldn't deal with it. I don't do well when I miss class even though they don't have the super strict attendance guidelines for lecture. They are strict on clinical, but there is room for a little time off--a very little. My feeling is you just have to cross that bridge when you get there. Plan the best you can. I also would be making sure that my child's school/daycare knew that unless it was a real emergency or obviously contagious problem, I really couldn't just be there for everything.

I am finishing my 2nd semester with 3 children and we homeschool. My husband works afternoons/evenings and weekends. Most of the time one of us has the kids but when something comes up, like it did this last week with all three kids and myself having strep throat we had to rely on family. I missed 2 classes, thank goodness I was through with clinicals. I don't know what I would have done if I was scheduled to be at the hospital. I hope that never comes up, but I am sure I will have to cross that bridge when it gets here. I know the feeling you are getting now as you prepare to enter nursing school, just take it one day at a time and keep a list of standby phone numbers--WE CAN DO THIS!

I would start calling all your family and friends and seeing who would be willing to babysit in an emergency. My husband and I have big families so that is what we do for backup daycare. Also, I am going to throw this out there, but in a jam I would ask my husband to call out of work. As long as it's not habitual, then it should be ok. When you go back to work and the kids get sick are you always going to be the one expected to call out. I think it is a bit of an unfair double standard for moms. My husband rarely gets sick and hardly ever calls out, but we try and take turns on this. Most of the time we can find family, but not always. Anyhow, that's my thoughts.

Teresa

I totally understand how you feel Stacy. I don't live near any of my family and don't have too many friends since I'm realitively new to the area. If my child gets sick Im the one that has to miss out on classes. Which has really hurt my English grade, but Im still passing with a C which is all I need. My husband also works and can't always take off work to stay home with kids and when I start the nursing program in 2004 I have to attend all clinicals or I'll get kicked out. So don't feel bad, your not the only one panicing about sick kids. I wish I had friends and family to rely on but I guess I will deal with it when the time comes.

Good luck to you

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