I am graduating with a 4.0 (older students/parents, listen up!)

[MrsBradyMom]

I just had to share, I am so excited! I've worked so hard for this. It's been a personal goal and uphill battle.

There are so many posts from 30+ adults headed back to school, especially from those with kids, wondering if it can be done. I'd just like to share that I headed back at 32 and have 6 kids. It can be done, it is possible, you CAN do it.

Graduation is Thursday & I start my new job after the first of the year. But for tonight.......a well-earned :beer:

[dtrmnd2sccd]

Another 35+ mom of two under 5 here, about to start my BSN in January--thanks so much for posting your success!! It is really motivational to hear from others who have succeeded in school (and maintained their sanity, their marriage, and their bond with their kids) as I start down this road myself.

Wish I could buy you a cold one--you deserve to brag--congrats!!

[laura06baby]

congrats!!!!!!!!!

so how did you do it? can you share some tips, schedules, advices or anything you might think could help us moms. I also have 2 under 3 and I am worried my daughter will be to young when I start NS (she'll be 1 yr old) or I will neglect my kids etc

thank you

[L&Disforme]

You have no idea how much this has touched me today! Thank you so much for posting this! I just found out that I will be starting nursing school in January! I have a two year old daughter and I am so worried that I won't have time for her. I have already told my husband that my first priority after my school work is HER (and him too! hehe) but she is my main concern. The funniest thing about all of this is SHE Is the reason I went back to school in the first place. While pregnant I decided I wanted to go back to school to become a Labor & Delivery Nurse.

So long story short.....It's all happening the way I wanted but I am worrying about keeping her life normal and spending plenty of time with her. Thank you So much! I really needed to read this today!

I am really looking forward to starting school and a new career!

Good Luck to everyone!!!

[MrsBradyMom]

Some of you asked about study habits & such. Here goes....

1. Become super-uber organzied. Before I started, I thoroughly cleaned my house, closets, drawers etc. I set up my study area. I bought a calendar/organizer for HW, due dates etc.

2. I picked one day of the week to deep clean my house. All other days I organized (15 min. tops).

3. Plan easy, nutrious meals, double the recipe for leftovers later in the week. I used my crock pot alot, made 2 lbs. spaghetti, etc. On Sundays, I would sometimes prepare 1-2 extra meals that would keep in the fridge & all I had to do was heat in the oven later.

4. Any errands that needed done I planned for trips right after school so once I got home, I was in for the night.

5. Time for studying/HW was done in shifts, with the majority of the time being spent before dinner or after the kids went to bed (at 8). However, at 9, it was hubby time. Dinner was always a sit down affair, just so I could spend time with the kids & catch up on their day.

6. I reserved one day a week (usually Sat. or Sun.) for my family. NO STUDYING.

7. I never missed a class & paid extreme attention in lecture. I went home from lecture & went over my power points. I wrote in outline form notes from PP that I had not mastered. This helped when studying for a test.....I never wasted time on the PP going over material I already knew. I just broke out my notebook.

8. Flashcards were my best friend. I used them for definitions, lab values, & drugs. They went to cheerleading practice, T-ball, etc. so I could multi-task.

9. I used my kids to practice non-invasive skills on They were great for wound dressings etc. My dogs are also well versed on nursing. I found it helped to verbalize material I was trying to understand & the dogs listened intently.

10. I try never to memorize. Especially for drugs. Understanding what the drug/disease does to the body will lead you to S/S, side effects, etc. This way of studying is probably my #1 tip.

11. Sit in the front of the class. Make friends with someone who is as interested as you in learning. I never attended any study groups either. You waste too much time going over things you already know.

12. And finally, learn how to take a nursing test. Read the question twice, make sure understand exactly what it is asking. Get an idea of how you would answer before looking at the multiple choices. Next, you can almost always eliminate two. The two that are left are usually very similar. Look for clues as to the right one......is it in my scope of practice, did the Dr. order it, are places to start.

Thats about all I can think of right now. Oh, one last thing. Keep your hubby & kids on a SCHEDULE. Be consistent from day to day & week to week about bed times, study times, bath times, maybe even days you grab McDonalds. This makes it easy for the little ones. Say at 5:00 they want moms attention. Even a 3 year old can understand "during dinner, we will have time together" or at 7:00 I will read you a story. After a few weeks they will know that before dinner mom studies, during dinner I spend time with her, and before bed I spend time with her again. A consistent routine does wonders!

Of course, try to get spouse, family, & friends to help where they can, but I tried not to emphazie this in my post. It's just not possible for some people & wanted to give my tips that I (and no one else) did to make it an easier journey.

Good luck to all of you!!!!