LPN to RN BSN advice

[21police]

I'm a SPN currently and finish in January, yay! I want to continue my education afterwards possibly for an MSN or BSN. I guess I was wondering how difficult it would be to do either with a new baby? Also how much more difficult are the classes, I've heard college level courses tend to be easier since you have more time per semester, but I've also heard they are more difficult. So far I'm doing excellent in school. I know this is a wierd question but any help would be appreciated. Thanks!

[RNTutor, BSN, RN]

I'm not sure I would say that college level courses are easier, because they do pack a lot of information and clinicals into 16 weeks! But I wouldn't scare you by saying they're sooo hard either...they just are what they are. If you're a good student already, and have a strong foundation through LPN school, that will help some.

As for a new baby...here's a personal question, but are you pregnant now, or just planning? I chose to wait until I was finished nursing school to have my first child, but there were many students in the program who had young children. While there is usually some understanding on the part of faculty about needing to miss class because something for your child came up unexpectedly (i.e. sick day!), it's still difficult because if you miss a clinical day at the hospital you really can't make it up. But if you have a really good support system of friends, family, and/or church, that can help you out and allow you to be more flexible, that makes it easier.

That being said, if you will be giving birth during nursing school...you might end up missing some clinical days! So just keep that in mind. I'm sure it can be done, just would require some advanced planning and lots of communication with the faculty.

[21police]

Thanks so much for the reply! I am not pregnant now, but right after LPN school we would like to start trying, as of right now we have an ok support system. Immediatly after LPN school I would like to find a job then just start working on my pre-reqs at Salem State supposedly they have a great LPN to BSN program. Thanks for telling me though that it can be done! I just need words of encouragement right now, I have faith in myself but a little advice from other students with children or not helps alot too!

[RNTutor, BSN, RN]

One more thing I forgot to mention, too...there really is never a 'good' time to have a baby!! People will always have an opinion for you, but the only opinion that really matters is yours and your husbands.

We started trying immediately after nursing school, and got pregnant (surprisingly) right away! I wondered if it was really a good idea to be doing my first year as an RN while pregnant, but I got through it, and it was a good experience. I worked in a pediatric OR, though, so I might have had a different experience if I had worked on a different floor.