Is it possible to go through fnp program online and have newborn and toddler?

*Butterfly8* · Jul 6, 2016

Anyone got advice please??

rpsychnurse · Jul 6, 2016

I haven't been in your position - at all - but I thought I'd chime in because no one else has yet.

I have a little baby (9 months old) and I went back to work when she was 6 months old. I think that if you have a lot of support, mostly from your husband, you can succeed at this! Especially because he can stay home with them at times. Are you going to be working on top of school? That may be harder. However- if you're going to school and treat it like your 'job' and ensure you have adequate alone time to study I think you can do this.

Good luck!

BeachsideRN, ASN · Jul 6, 2016

I don't see why you can't. It sounds like you have a good support system. Talk to your program advisor. Maybe you can take fewer courses the first semester then catch up over a summer or something or maybe just stretch the program out a semester or 2 longer. Where there's a will there's a way. Good luck!!

orangepink, NP · Jul 6, 2016

When I was in the program I had a 3 classmates in your similar situation. One dropped out because of lack of support. The second one dropped out but came back one semester later. The third one wanted to drop out but I convinced her to stay so we graduated together. And her husband wasn't all that enthusiastic from the start. Not to toot my own horn but I had to literally help her with her homework and papers too just so she would stay. I was just sick and tired watching the others drop out.

IMO being an NP will help the family in the long run so why drop out now. I remember I got so frustrated at their husbands and being single and never been married myself it kinda makes me hesitate on the institution Hehe

From what I see, A lot of support will come mostly from your husband. parents and in laws help but the co-parent makes the most difference.

Alicia777, MSN, NP · Jul 6, 2016

Only you know whether or not you'll be able to handle it or not. I had a 14-month-old and was four months pregnant when I graduated my FNP program. It's doable but it was obviously a lot of work. Plus I worked 30 hours a week at my RN ï¿¼job. I had a great support system â€“ still do but it's easier now that I'm working one job.

Dumplins, MSN, RN, APN · Jul 6, 2016

I agree with everyone else. It seems as if you have a great support system. Better than most. I know many people in my program went through similar situations and they made it out ok. Most of them sticking to Part Time for school.

NurseJacelyn · Jul 6, 2016

I started nursing school the year my son went into grade 1 and my daughter started kindergarten. I worked full time and my program was full time. I graduated with Deans honours. It is possible but not easy. I had to learn to let go of some things. Mainly any sort of social life and a spotlessly clean house. My husband was supportive and he was my only support through it. Plan ahead, be organized and don't sweat the small stuff and you'll make it.

PNW~NP · Jul 7, 2016

Only you know what you are capable of handling, but If you do decide to go you will need a strong support network. Going to grad school is hard when you have young children. My kids are 6 and 9 and I still find it very challenging at times trying to balance everything and I have a lot of strong family support. Of course it's doable, but there will be things that you will miss with your kids, a lot of things. There will be the stress and fatigue of being a mom with very young children plus the stress and fatigue of grad school. It's definitely not impossible, but just remember grad school isn't going anywhere, it will be there if you decide to wait.

Good luck with your decision!

BeachsideRN, ASN · Jul 7, 2016

I had a friend that had a 2 LOs under 4 and got pregnant in her first semester of FNP school. She graduated, with honors. It's certainly doable.

allnurses Guide · Jul 7, 2016

I'm so disappointed where I normally would have been very happy because I just found out I'm pregnant and I already have a two year old and was going to start school in an online fnp program January 2017. So now be honest... Should I cancel and go another time in life? Is this impossible? i have a husband who many days can stay home all day with the kids due to his work schedule and daycare with the very rare occasion of in laws watching the kids. Please give honest advise. I really want to go to school but don't want to get into anything that I can't handle. Thanks

The question really shouldn't be if it is possible or not; just about anything is possible. The real question is whether it is best for you and your family. You are making a big investment in yourself both in your time and financially. You want to be able to get the most of that experience, just like you want to get the most of your family experience. There are big sacrifices on either side, but your baby won't be a baby forever, and NP programs are probably going to be around for a little while.

sparklie.lady · Jul 7, 2016

My 2 cents...I'm halfway through an online FNP program while working full-time with a 9 year old. I'm not going to lie...it's rough...and I haven't even started clinicals yet. The biggest challenge is coming to terms with no social life, a disaster of a house, no "me" time, and missing about 50% of my daughter's activities. And this is with amazing support from my husband. When it's over, though, it will be so worth it...but I waited until my daughter was older.

Knowing what I know now, I wouldn't do it with little ones at home. I miss so much with my daughter and she's starting to get to the point where she doesn't want me around all the time, lol. Even when I'm spending time with her (or my husband), part of my mind is always at school.

So, in answer to your question, yes, it is possible. But you have to decide if the trade off of missed time with your little ones is worth doing it now as opposed to waiting.

Good luck deciding--it's a big decision!