Is this really doable?

Absolutely13 · Jul 20, 2008

This is a tough one. Part of me wants to say get out of the house and spend some "me" time attending classes.

The other side is there is no more me.

I vote for majoring in me with a strong minor in taking care of everybody else.

But that's just me.

RhodyGirl, RN · Jul 20, 2008

If you have a good support system at home, I would say go for it. It will be tough but I think we've all made sacrifices for this little thing called nursing school

Good luck!!!!!!!!!

boogeysmomRN · Jul 20, 2008

I agree with Rhody-girl.

It was the birth of my son that pushed me from a lucrative job with a IT government contractor to wanting to become a nurse, so I started school about 5 months after he was born. I had a very very supportive husband and family. So it CAN be done. I will be starting nursing school next month, so my adventure is just really getting started, haha.

I think if you really want something, you should go for it, and everything will work out. I had to put my trust in a lot of things and people, I won't say it was easy, I had my fair share of tears and disappointments (including two rejections from CCs, waitlisted at one Univ and a miscarriage), but everything happens for a reason.

So I say, if you feel it in your heart, do it. :) Good luck to you!

boogeysmomRN · Jul 20, 2008

Forgot to say CONGRATS on being pregnant, it is truly the best gift ever. :yeah:

Absolutely13 · Jul 20, 2008

Forgot to say CONGRATS on being pregnant, it is truly the best gift ever.

I forgot too. That is wonderful!

MasonsMommy · Jul 21, 2008

I agree that if you have a strong support system, you should try it. The worst that could happen is you drop it, right? I have a ten month old and am finishing up A&P I right now...it's been hard to manage my time. Nap when the baby naps - getting enough rest is essential. This is a personal question, but are you planning to breastfeed? It will take a LOT of time and energy and is more difficult than most people talk about. Unfortunately, I had to quit fairly early in the game due to my busy schedule and stress (hindered milk production).

Will you have to work? If not, I think you'll be fine. A baby is so much adjustment, but if you know that you'll have your work cut out for you then you can do it. Also, commit to a certain time every day to study. That way you won't be overwhelmed come test time and you'll get yourself into a routine.

Congratulations! What an exciting time in your life!

benegesserit · Jul 21, 2008

Congratulations :)

As for whether it's feasible or not... consider the competitiveness of the program you're trying to get into. If you get a less than optimal grade, or you end up withdrawing from the class and repeating it later, will it hurt your chances of getting in? If so, it's probably worth it to wait the extra semester, as much as that sucks. It's better to wait an extra semester than ruin your chances entirely. If it isn't likely to harm you, it might be worth a try.

Be aware that you cannot compare the experience of having your first baby during the course of the semester to someone who started the course even a month or two after the baby was born. You don't know yet what kind of physical recovery you're going to need, what the emotional impact will be, whether your baby will be extra fussy, or whether you'll need to be hooked up to a pump every hour to build your milk supply (if that's important to you).

Consider your own strengths and weaknesses, too. Have you taken other difficult lab science classes (College-level chemistry, Microbiology, something like that)? If this is your first, be extra wary. These are classes that many students find overwhelming even without any outside commitments, let alone one as overwhelming as a new baby. If you've taken other science classes and had an easy time of them, it might be more practical.

Talk to the teacher. Some will be supportive, allow you to make up missed tests or labs, or otherwise give you some leeway. Others will be big meanies and not make any allowances. If you're stuck with a meany, it's probably better to wait, because it's almost certain that you will miss at least a few classes if you're due during the semester.

I don't mean to be discouraging. I've just been in a similar situation on two occasions, and neither time turned out well for me despite the fact that I've otherwise made it through all the classes with decent grades without too much effort, and I've seen the same from other students.

MasonsMommy · Jul 21, 2008

One more thing to consider:

If you end up taking this class and not getting the grade you want, even if you can repeat it without harm, you CANNOT repeat that time that you missed away from your brand new baby. It will not only be hours of class and lab, but hours of studying and merely thinking about all it takes to earn a decent grade.

Icaria · Jul 21, 2008

Nursing school will always be there. The first year of your child's life will not be. Do you really want to miss out on those special moments? I personally was so exhausted that first six months that I couldn't think straight half the time. I believe that being a parent is the most important job we have. I really feel for you. I know nursing school is competative and it forces many of us to make hard decisions. I know women who have made it with a baby. In fact two women in my class that are pregnant right now. So it can be done. I am just so glad it is not me doing it. I know that being 34 makes you feel the need to do this right away, but I am 40 and just starting. Heck half the class is older women. So don't let your age factor into it. That is my 2 cents for all it is worth. I wish you the best and congratulations!

MAcc2ADN · Jul 21, 2008

Sounds like me!

I made the choice to leave a very lucrative accounting career and switch to nursing after missing out on all of my child's big 'first-year' milestones. I've always been interested in nursing, so I've been kicking myself for not just sticking with it after high school.

Anyway, I started A&P 2 along with 2 online classes while working full-time nights with an 18 month old only 2 weeks after my second child was born by c-section (and I exclusively nursed for 6 months). If you want it... you absolutely can do it. Granted, my house is not as clean as I would like it and my husband makes chicken nuggets/grilled cheese/pb&j for the boys more often than I would like to admit- but, I just keep telling myself this is only temporary. I start NS in just a few weeks!

Good luck!!

I agree with Rhody-girl.
It was the birth of my son that pushed me from a lucrative job with a IT government contractor to wanting to become a nurse, so I started school about 5 months after he was born. I had a very very supportive husband and family. So it CAN be done. I will be starting nursing school next month, so my adventure is just really getting started, haha.
I think if you really want something, you should go for it, and everything will work out. I had to put my trust in a lot of things and people, I won't say it was easy, I had my fair share of tears and disappointments (including two rejections from CCs, waitlisted at one Univ and a miscarriage), but everything happens for a reason.
So I say, if you feel it in your heart, do it. :) Good luck to you!

clhRN2b2010 · Jul 21, 2008

I am sure you really want to get started. It depends on the kind of parent you are going to be. We decided we were going the attachment parent route, breastfeeding exclusively, co sleeping, lots of baby carrying in arms and holders. It was a huge commitment, but one we felt strongly about. I could never have managed it in the first few months, but when my third baby was 5 months old I began on line classes toward my pre req's. I was 37 years old! When she was 9 months, I started classes 4 evenings a week and Daddy was able to put her to sleep. A year later, I am ready to apply to NS for Jan '09 admit and have 3 classes left to finish in the Fall which I will do while she is in day care 3X week.

We really worked this over again and again in ourheads and came up with a schedule that works perfectly. After three little ones, I am so happy to get out and get to class. I really love learning and I feel like the time is right for the kids too.

I guess my advice is, have your baby and see what happens. Things can shift dramatically after the birth of a child.