I'm thinking about trying to get pregnant and start nursing school? Yes or No?

Published

:o I've been married for almost two years now and am starting to get the baby fever! I just appiled to the nursing program for the fall of 2005. For all the mother's out there, how hard is it to get through nursing school and have a child? My husband really wants to start trying now but I'm really nervous about how I'll be able to manage a newborn and nursing. Please let me know your stories and experiences!
Specializes in 5 yrs OR, ASU Pre-Op 2 yr. ER.

I vote to do one or the other, but definately not both at the same time! That's way too much to take on at once.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Pediatrics, Nursing Education.

I would NOT do it. Not to say that it can't be done, however.

I started my pre-requisties when my baby was 5 weeks old. I went straight through and graduated when she had just turned three.

I felt like I missed so much. I wish I could have just stayed at home and spent every moment with her. If I had to do it all over again, I would have waited to have a child.

I was lucky, though. I had a lot of help.

I would do one or the other. You need time to focus on both. You'll be more likely to be successful in BOTH areas if you do this!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I really think that pregnancy and nursing school would be really really tough. I was put on bedrest with my second pregnancy and couldnt get out of bed except to shower and use the restroom......and i believe the bedrest came due to stress. I was trying to work 12 hour shifts without any days off in between, and imo nursing school is worse than the job i had at that point. I am a nursing student at this point and i have a five year old and a 3 year old and it has been very tough.....i started when my youngest was a little over a year old i cant even imagine what it would have been like if i would have started during pregnancy. Also a very good friend of mine was pregnant during nursing school and she had a very hard time keeping up, she was very tired, and her grades as well as clinical experiences did suffer as a result. And, i believe this was stated earlier, but i feel like i missed out on a lot with my children due to class and all the studying i had/have to do.

Good luck with whatever you decide!! I'm not saying it cant be done, im just saying i personally wouldn't recommend it.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in CCU (Coronary Care); Clinical Research.

I would say to go through school first (two year programs are available)...you are still young...get done with your education...as a nurse you will never have to look too hard for a job and if times get rough you will have something to fall back on...and a good job to support your family..plus after you graduate you can go part time...or even take some time off to care for your child...you can concentrate on you and your child- while not having to worry about going back to school or having a good paying job if you need it...

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Happily semi-retired; excited for the whole whammy.

Oh Lawdie, no. Not to say that it couldn't be done if a surprise arrived, but you will enjoy both experiences more if you experience them separately.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I would have to cast my vote in the "NO" ballot box as well.

I am pregnant (oops!) and due exactly one week after graduation in June!

Although I'm barely 4 mos. along, I am already having a couple of issues. We have a long walk from the parking lot to the classroom, followed by a trek upstairs. We are not allowed to use the elevator there OR at the hospitals. By the time I get to where I'm going, I'm so out of breath I feel like I'm going to croak. This, according to my OBGYN, is normal and there is nothing to be done about it.

At clinicals my feet swell and my back aches. Although we get only a 10 min. break in the morning and a 30 min. lunch break, we are not allowed to sit down at all, not even to chart! :angryfire And did I mention that NSAIDS are no longer an option for pain? LOL.

My LPN program is for 11 months. In that 11 months, we can only miss 60 hours before being expelled from the program. So that's another issue I'm going to have to deal with if for some reason I have to have the baby early.

And last but not least, you will be tired all of the time and will find it hard to concentrate in class.

Whatever you decide to do, I wish you the best of luck!

Oh, and I also wanted to say that although I am going to try my very hardest, at this point I am about 75% sure that I will end up having to withdraw from the program. And at my school, there IS no leave of absence. You just waste all of the time and $$$ that you put in.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in home health.

Absolutely NOT! One or the other, not both at the same time.

As a mom of 4...babies are exhausting..require amost constant attention and energy. snuggling, singing to , talking to, being held, day and night feedings..

Not to mention pregnancy, which is very demanding and stressfull on a woman's body.

Nursing school will demand as much time and attention as baby

You will be torn in 2 as to which gets prority..school/homework or baby?

Please do not bring a child into this world only to put it into daycare. Why have one if you are not going to be the one to raise it?

Not good for child, mother or father. Daycare is a very poor substitute

for a loving home.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I had the same thoughts that you did when I started school. Additionally, I have PCOS, so my biological clock is ticking away doubletime. I've just finished my first year of a 4 yr nursing program and after arguing the issue back and forth, have decided to wait until I get done with school. I'll be 32 then, so I hope I still have time to have a baby. The thing is, is that I know myself. I know that I would more than likely take a break from school to stay home with the baby, and who knows if I would go back. I would be feel like the worlds biggest failure if I didn't complete my course of study. Besides, I don't want to stop at one baby. Would I take another break a year or two later?I'm not getting any younger you know. So, for me the right choice is to wait. Only you can decide what's right for you. My advice would be, that if you don't have any fertility issues as of now, go ahead and wait. Once you get preg, there's no turning back, you can always change your mind about waiting later on.

les

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Happily semi-retired; excited for the whole whammy.
I would have to cast my vote in the "NO" ballot box as well.

I am pregnant (oops!) and due exactly one week after graduation in June!

Although I'm barely 4 mos. along, I am already having a couple of issues. We have a long walk from the parking lot to the classroom, followed by a trek upstairs. We are not allowed to use the elevator there OR at the hospitals. By the time I get to where I'm going, I'm so out of breath I feel like I'm going to croak. This, according to my OBGYN, is normal and there is nothing to be done about it.

At clinicals my feet swell and my back aches. Although we get only a 10 min. break in the morning and a 30 min. lunch break, we are not allowed to sit down at all, not even to chart! :angryfire And did I mention that NSAIDS are no longer an option for pain? LOL.

My LPN program is for 11 months. In that 11 months, we can only miss 60 hours before being expelled from the program. So that's another issue I'm going to have to deal with if for some reason I have to have the baby early.

And last but not least, you will be tired all of the time and will find it hard to concentrate in class.

Whatever you decide to do, I wish you the best of luck!

Oh, and I also wanted to say that although I am going to try my very hardest, at this point I am about 75% sure that I will end up having to withdraw from the program. And at my school, there IS no leave of absence. You just waste all of the time and $$$ that you put in.

I'm not an attorney, but I am not sure that it is legal for your school to refuse to make reasonable accommodations for your pregnancy. I encourage you to get good legal advice regarding your rights- particularly if they will make the difference between you finishing this program or dropping out!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med-Surge.

Thank you so much for all of your advice! I definatley will not attempt to do both. My good sense told me it wouldn't be a good idea but I'm getting a lot of pressure from family and friends. I'm 25 and everyone is telling me I'm getting close to the age of being too old to have babies!!! I really appreciate all of the replys!:rolleyes:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in CV Surgery Step-down.

I would not recommend planning on having a baby in NS. In fact, I would take every precaution not to! But that's just me. I would hate to have to drop. It's hard enough as it is. I've got two little ones. I was to start when my older son was 18 mos, but we decided to postpone and have another one. They're 4 and 2 now, and I'm in my second semester.

If hubby's feeling baby pangs, and you're ready to, go for it! Enjoy your pregnancy and your new baby and start school a year or semester later. Or you could become pregnant in your last year and deliver months AFTER you graduate. Good Luck!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

For what it's worth, all my plants died when I was in nursing school. And that was only first semester. :imbar

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion