Working, schooling AND mothering?

JoniL&DRN · Jan 24, 2005

I know some of you are doing it but I can't find a thread on it so here is my question...

Who out there is working full time, going to nursing school full time and mothering (not to mention being a wife) as well?

Our local hospital offers the type of program where you work part time (32 hours perweek) and they pay you full time while you are in school. We thought we had it all worked out to get through school without me working but as it turns out my kids was just have to do without too many things (including food most likely). I'd probably work a night shift when I don't have class or clinical the next day and then be off on school days. My kids are 9, 6 and 5 (all in school next fall when I start nursing school).

So WHO is doing it? I know it can be done. I just need the encouragement.

(I might add that I'm a 4.0 type of student who doesn't struggle academically so that isn't an issue and I have a very helpful husband as well ...lucky me)

KUDOS to those of you doing it now!

akcarmean, LPN · Jan 24, 2005

I am going to school full time and I have 3 children. I only work per-diem; but that means that we have to go without a lot of things to make it on my husband's income and a little help from the government. IT's hard and I am stuggling. I also have some health issue that I am having to deal with. My kids are ages 12, 10 ,and 20 mths

Angie

akcarmean, LPN · Jan 24, 2005

I am going to school full time and I have 3 children. I only work per-diem; but that means that we have to go without a lot of things to make it on my husband's income and a little help from the government. IT's hard and I am stuggling. I also have some health issue that I am having to deal with. My kids are ages 12, 10 ,and 20 mths

Angie

LauraF, RN, ASN, CNA, LPN, RN · Jan 24, 2005

First I would say get used to not being a 4.0 student. I was too until I started Nursing School. My first test this semester in Mental Health was 75% which is barely a C. I did better then many of the other students in class, who also were 4.0 students. There is a lot of work, so please do not go into class saying this is a breeze. I have 2 four year olds. One of them is in Special Education school, so I have to run her into class after I am done with lecture/clinicals. It can be done, but you also need to have your kids trained to understand that when Mommy is studying she is not to be bothered. Here is a suggestion about working. I don't know if they do this for CNA's but it would be worth a shot. As an LPN there are many jobs that if you work 2 twelve hour shift over the weekend they will pay you for 3. You might check into that. You will need a lot of time to read your assignments, which at our school is A LOT! Good luck, it can be done. :)

LauraF, RN, ASN, CNA, LPN, RN · Jan 24, 2005

First I would say get used to not being a 4.0 student. I was too until I started Nursing School. My first test this semester in Mental Health was 75% which is barely a C. I did better then many of the other students in class, who also were 4.0 students. There is a lot of work, so please do not go into class saying this is a breeze. I have 2 four year olds. One of them is in Special Education school, so I have to run her into class after I am done with lecture/clinicals. It can be done, but you also need to have your kids trained to understand that when Mommy is studying she is not to be bothered. Here is a suggestion about working. I don't know if they do this for CNA's but it would be worth a shot. As an LPN there are many jobs that if you work 2 twelve hour shift over the weekend they will pay you for 3. You might check into that. You will need a lot of time to read your assignments, which at our school is A LOT! Good luck, it can be done. :)

allnurses Guide · Jan 24, 2005

I didn't work while I was in school and waited until my youngest started 1st grade. We were struggling financially. It was very hard although my husband was supportive. I regret alot of it, especially being away from my kids, either in mind, body or spirit. I attribute alot of my second son's difficulties to my not being here.

Ah, mommy guilt.

steph

allnurses Guide · Jan 24, 2005

I didn't work while I was in school and waited until my youngest started 1st grade. We were struggling financially. It was very hard although my husband was supportive. I regret alot of it, especially being away from my kids, either in mind, body or spirit. I attribute alot of my second son's difficulties to my not being here.

Ah, mommy guilt.

steph

akcarmean, LPN · Jan 24, 2005

I didn't work while I was in school and waited until my youngest started 1st grade. We were struggling financially. It was very hard although my husband was supportive. I regret alot of it, especially being away from my kids, either in mind, body or spirit. I attribute alot of my second son's difficulties to my not being here.
Ah, mommy guilt.
steph

Steph -- you not being there did NOTHING TO CONTRIBUTE to your 2nd son's difficulties. Believe me. I have 2 children oldest has ADHD, severe depression, learning disabilities, asthma, allergies, I didn't go to school until he was 8 and believe me there is NO WAY that you contributed to his problems while being gone to school. If anything you showed him that school is important and you need to do your best at what ever you do whenever you do it. I know that even though you were busy with school those kids got a lot of love.

Angie

akcarmean, LPN · Jan 24, 2005

I didn't work while I was in school and waited until my youngest started 1st grade. We were struggling financially. It was very hard although my husband was supportive. I regret alot of it, especially being away from my kids, either in mind, body or spirit. I attribute alot of my second son's difficulties to my not being here.
Ah, mommy guilt.
steph

Steph -- you not being there did NOTHING TO CONTRIBUTE to your 2nd son's difficulties. Believe me. I have 2 children oldest has ADHD, severe depression, learning disabilities, asthma, allergies, I didn't go to school until he was 8 and believe me there is NO WAY that you contributed to his problems while being gone to school. If anything you showed him that school is important and you need to do your best at what ever you do whenever you do it. I know that even though you were busy with school those kids got a lot of love.

Angie

JoniL&DRN · Jan 25, 2005

I didn't work while I was in school and waited until my youngest started 1st grade. We were struggling financially. It was very hard although my husband was supportive. I regret alot of it, especially being away from my kids, either in mind, body or spirit. I attribute alot of my second son's difficulties to my not being here.
Ah, mommy guilt.
steph

Ah Ha! Is there a mother among us who hasn't experienced the phenomenon known as "mommy guilt"?

JoniL&DRN · Jan 25, 2005

I didn't work while I was in school and waited until my youngest started 1st grade. We were struggling financially. It was very hard although my husband was supportive. I regret alot of it, especially being away from my kids, either in mind, body or spirit. I attribute alot of my second son's difficulties to my not being here.
Ah, mommy guilt.
steph

Ah Ha! Is there a mother among us who hasn't experienced the phenomenon known as "mommy guilt"?