Help! Wife,Mom,&Student

HIPAAPotamus, BSN, RN · May 11, 2016

Same here - mom, wife, student, employee, and more. My family understands that this is my priority for the next several years. Sometimes I feel alone in my studies (when I start rattling on about the juxtaglomerular complex and my husband looks at me like I'm speaking Greek), but it's ultimately worth it.

TheNurseStudentMom · May 11, 2016

I start in the fall, so we'll see how it works. I'm a single mom, 44, and work full time. Although I'm excited I'm also anxious.

CountryMomma, ASN, RN · May 11, 2016

I'm a wife, mother, and student who works full-time. I am new to this forum. Please give insight of how others, like myself make it all work. I mean it's extremely stressful. I'm exhausted most of the time. How do you balance all of your responsibilities? Does/did school cause a negative impact on your family due to the stress? If so how did you manage? Thanks in advance.

1) sleep is often overrated but very, very welcomed

2) Caffeine is a way of life. See #1.

3) Husbands and children can function without mom hovering 24/7. Most won't believe you, but it's true.

When I started nsg school I was 31 with 3 kids, two in pre-k, the other special needs. Married, so broke we were hitting up the food bank and having Angel christmases. My husband supported me 100% because I was our ticket out of poverty. Well that, and he loves me. Kids were enrolled in Head Start, so I knew they were getting a quality education and socialization. I was exhausted all the time, but that's just good practice for nursing. I spend the time I could with my kids, studied till bed, and occasionally threw the book on the floor and jumped the Husband.

Talk. Talk all the time, with both your kids and your husband. Get a great organizer and use it. Manage time carefully, and remind yourself frequently that nsg school is a period of time, not a life sentence.

cobbigirl · May 11, 2016

I wear all of those hats, except I am single. I have two daughters, 22 and 18, with the latter one just wrapping up her freshman year in college. I'm still taking prereqs and will admit there has been some stressful days and some sleepless nights, but I know it will be worth it in the end. Being organized, managing my time better, and having a great support system has been very helpful for me. I wish you the best, you can do it!!!

LPNtoRNin2016OH, LPN · May 11, 2016

I recently dropped down to PRN job wise but I worked full time the first two years while doing my pre-reqs. Its been a whirlwind for sure, didn't help that we decided to have our third baby in the midst of it either lol. But I just got accepted into my bridge program with a 3.96 GPA, I will graduate next spring, very grateful I only have to work a times a month during clinical.

I definitely did not have a life the last three years. I worked/went to school/took care of kids and repeat. I lost 50 lbs just because I didn't want to take the time to eat. Don't do that though. Time management is key, obviously a lot of sacrifice (time with kids, husband, etc), and a supportive husband was key for me. He has given up as much as I have to be the kids primary caregiver while I was doing all of this.

It's a hard thing, being mom/wife/student/employee but I haven't regretted it yet. I've refused to let anything get in my way of finishing and I've been all in since day one but I knew it had to be that way otherwise I would never graduate.

TheNurseStudentMom · May 12, 2016

I'd love to lose 50 pounds, lol! But congrats! You're almost there! That's awesome!

aguzman811 · May 12, 2016

Im in the same boat! Im an office manager of a surgeons office,a wife, a student (just turned in my nursing application), and I have a 2 & 4 year old! Im not going to lie.... ITS TOUGH!!! My oldest plays 2 sports (3 times a week). I pride myself on time management. I do most of my studying and homework once they are in bed. You have to have a supportive spouse. My weekends I ask him to take them out for about 2-3 hours so I can have a quiet household and they are still getting to go out and play. Then I take time to be alone with them as well. Its a hard balancing act, BUT VERY DOABLE!!! If you ever need to vent Im here!! :-) GOOD LUCK! AND YOU CAN DO IT!