How To Do Manage Full-time Work, Husband, Kids And School

dee78 · Mar 27, 2008

You can do it, it will mean hard work and sacrifice but it can be done. I have to believe it because I will be going through the same thing.

My girls were 2 and almost 1 when I started back to school. I worked fulltime at night, took care of them during the day, and went to school in the evenings. I'm really not sure when I slept. But I made it work because I didn't see any other choice.

I'm about to start back after 6 years, my girls are now 9 and almost 8 and I have a 3 1/2 year old son. I work fulltime and my DH is an over the road truck driver. I will be taking my classes online, which will be harder but it is the only way I can go back before my son starts school. I am rearranging my work schedule for clinicals.

Don't get discouraged, just think positively. You are doing this for your kids, they will have more stablity when you have more (assuming) financially stability. That's what keeps me going, I hope this helps.

Deidra

locolorenzo22, BSN, RN · Mar 27, 2008

Yep.....some of us do 36 hrs a week, and wind up just getting through the days....I'm due to graduate in 5 weeks, and ready to get out....I've been doing this for 18 months...it's a long haul...but doable if you really want it.....just do what you can.....

jemommyRN · Mar 27, 2008

I work twelve hour shifts over the weekend. I have a husband and two children (6 and 2). I have to be honest...it's not easy but it's doable. I have a very supportive husband. He makes all the difference in me getting through this. I also take time out to spend with my husband. School will be your life but you have to decide you are going to take a night off (from school) and believe me ONE NIGHT is not going to make the difference between you passing or failing. It also helps that I have a job where I am able to study. I put my kids to bed a the same time every night. IT IS DOABLE, you just have to try and stay organized. the house may be a mess, but you can clean all you want once you finish.

aprilsrain · Mar 27, 2008

You can do it. I have been going to school for 2 1/2 years now and have been doing childcare in my home the whole time (which is about 50 hours a week). I am married and have children of my own. When I first started school I had to have my house clean (beds made, dishes done, etc.). One of my instructors even told me she thought I had OCD. Wasn't that-I just was used to the routine. Well, that routine has drastically changed-beds do not get made, dishes sit in the sink sometimes until the next meal, and sometimes laundry is only done during the weekend. I have been told that my next year of school is going to be rough and we have been told by faculty and other juniors that working is out of the question. School is supposed to be #1 priority. Not with me-it is AND always will be my family. I look at other students in my classes who may work 10 hours a week and I am jealous-but only until I hear them say that they have to go home and get their assignment done that is due the next day. Hmm..mine has been for a week now and I have made it on the Dean's list 3 out of the 6 semesters. I have learned time managment and utilize it wisely. You can pull through this with hard work and determination. Good luck to you!!!

jugre · Mar 27, 2008

You can do it. I have been going to school for 2 1/2 years now and have been doing childcare in my home the whole time (which is about 50 hours a week). I am married and have children of my own. When I first started school I had to have my house clean (beds made, dishes done, etc.). One of my instructors even told me she thought I had OCD. Wasn't that-I just was used to the routine. Well, that routine has drastically changed-beds do not get made, dishes sit in the sink sometimes until the next meal, and sometimes laundry is only done during the weekend. I have been told that my next year of school is going to be rough and we have been told by faculty and other juniors that working is out of the question. School is supposed to be #1 priority. Not with me-it is AND always will be my family. I look at other students in my classes who may work 10 hours a week and I am jealous-but only until I hear them say that they have to go home and get their assignment done that is due the next day. Hmm..mine has been for a week now and I have made it on the Dean's list 3 out of the 6 semesters. I have learned time managment and utilize it wisely. You can pull through this with hard work and determination. Good luck to you!!!

Good Job! You are a very dedicated mother, wife and student!

JenMarie82 · Mar 27, 2008

One tip that has saved a lot of the moms in our class is utilizing the website http://www.menusformoms.com for meals. It gives you the weekly menu and grocery list, but you can always change it to suit your families needs. The meals are generally nutritious and easy to prepare. If I were you, I'd try it for a few weeks now and see if you like it so you can implement it when school starts. I have a household binder and the menu goes in the front of that. Then if I'm going to be home late, my husband can start dinner or even make it without me. I also utilize my son's nap time to study, and also try and get up an hour before him to study and also study for 1 hour after he goes to bed.

goodstudentnowRN · Mar 27, 2008

You can do it. This is my second tyerm in nursing college and I work fulltime and have two children and take full course load at school. You can do it but you have to be very organized. I always do my assignments on time and do my tests at the required time.

LovesGreyhounds · Mar 27, 2008

You might as well try it! You don't have much to lose as you're not quitting your job to do it, right? I bet You will always wonder about it if you don't. Sometimes I think the waiting/anticipation/thinking about things too much is the hardest thing! Most times things don't turn out half as bad as what we fear. Go for it!

happynewLPN · Mar 28, 2008

YOU CAN DO THIS!!

Make this your mantra.

I work full-time 2nd shift at a local hospital, have a husband and a 9-yr. old son. Just for fun, I've thrown marathon training into the mix and managed to finish my first year with high honors and just passed the NCLEX-PN.

Always remember...this is short-term pain for long-term gain. You know that the road may be bumpy, you'll be sleep-deprived for stretches at at time, but this too shall pass.

Just prioritize, prioritize and prioritize some more. Make certain you give school the proper amount of time and energy, and you'll be fine. The biggest obstacle to some is not having an adequate support system. Rally your troops around you and you'll be fine. :)

Good luck, and I look forward to hearing your success stories.

lizzyberry · Mar 29, 2008

Nursing school is very tough. Tougher than most degrees.I have a 3 and 4 year old and taking medsurg,patho, and pharm at the moment. I dont work, but I have a husband who works but he want the house spotless all the time so you can say that is my job. Can you work, maybe, you just have to set up some gaurranteed time to study EVERY DAY!!!! In NS you have to read everything to understand everything. You will be pulling your hairs out. Im just telling you the truth. There will be MAJOR stress at times. Like I said you just have to set up study time everyday like that is your second job. But I need to get to studying right now, hope this helps. Good luck. PM me with any questions on how to do it with kids.

Logos · Mar 29, 2008

I don't know- I have three kids- work full time daylight- and am going to school full time. My house is ALWAYS a mess, I have had to quit doing so many things with my kids. DH and I never have time together, and I got my last test grade yesterday and it was bad. I just don't have enough time to study. Since I miss so much time from work to go to school when I am at work my case load is doubled so I am trying to make up for missed days, I get home from work & picking up kids from daycare at 6pm, make dinner, take dogs out- w/kids try to get them to bathe, clean rooms, do homework, not fight, eat, etc. It is rough. It is maybe 9 or 9:30pm and I am finally getting their butts to sleep and I am exhausted but I am supposed to study. Dh gets home form work around 10:30pm, it's just rough. Then you know night before clinical my four year old, pukes, or pee's the bed, or has a nightmare or something and I always end up with this other little body squishing me out of my own bed, and you can kiss a good night's sleep goodbye.

I'm not trying to be negative. But you asked, and right now I am living it and it is not fun. I know getting that test score from yesterday is really bumming me out and making me feel like crap. I sat in bed last night studying from 7pm until about midnight. No quality time with my kids there, trying to keep them quiet with watching Teenage Mutant Ninga Turtles so I can study cardio. I don't know if I would do this again. I don't even know if I should finish it, I don't know if I will- if I can't get some more study time -because another test like this last one and I am toast.

So I guess if you know going into it there will be bad day's and are prepared to sacrifice a lot -go for it. You know I thought I could handle this, and I CAN handle this, but there are day's that are truly NOT fun, or good for my ego. :) I always thought I was smart and now I am like

damn there is just SOOO much to learn. I don't think I am that smart anymore.

But good Luck, it is a challenge, but people have done it. Just don't think it will be easy.