Mom & Student

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I'm sure there are many moms out there who are also planning on attending an rn program! I'm currently finishing up my pre reqs to start my 2013 spring nursing program. And I'm so worried about juggling study time with my son. He will be 3 in a cpl months. I love him to pieces but for example, tonight I have been struggling with getting to study for a test I have tmrw. I know it can be done! And many women with more than 1 have accomplished getting their bsn as a mom, student, and employee. Any advice?! Time management tips, etc.... I work 3 days a week, go to school 2 days, and the rest off for the most part. It's hard because my fiance works nights so I'm the one who has our son the majority of the time (also bc he sleeps during the day) Thanks in advance!!

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Make a daily planner and think where you could save on time.Good luck. Nothing is impossible.You can do it.Good luck

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Thanks alot! :)

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Specializes in Medical-Surgical, Pediatrics.

I am going to be in the same situation. I am going to start prereqs in the summer. I have an 8 month old son and the last time I took a class where I had to really study was before my son was born. Do you think you can study while he is sleeping? I know its hard because it so much you can do at that time! I might try setting my schedule early in the morning while everyone is sleep or late at night.

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I have 7 kids (6 still at home). Five of them are in school, but my youngest 18 months is home with me during the day. I do not work at the moment, but I have gotten so much more organized and disciplined with my time. I make a to do list every day and pull off tasks from school that need to be done and housework that needs to be done. I don't bother trying to study during the day time, but instead will do household stuff and things that my daughter will let me get done. I study when she naps. I also get up at 5 am on weekdays and study from 5-6:30. It's the only real quiet time for me. If I keep the house in order then I can get my husband to man the house and I can go to bed early. I also study after my kids are home from school. I try to make the most of all my time. I listen to audio notes while I wash dishes, drive, etc. I can watch learning videos and fold laundry. My biggest thing though is making lists and sticking with a schedule.

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I'm in a similar situation! I work full time (mon-fri), have two little girls two years old and three years old, and am in school part time working on pre-reqs. I just map everything out for the semester once I have my assignment lists, and organize everything in my planner. That way I'm not surprised by anything. My girls are in daycare when I work, and a couple hours after work, they are in bed and I pull out the books. I do most of my studying during the week at night, and on the weekends if my husband is home I study downstairs with the family, with him playing with them or upstairs in our room. I don't get as much time as I used to get with them, but this is something I know is worth the sacrifice.

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Oh also, naptime! Naptime is no longer really a break for me, I study then as well!

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I know what you mean. I have 2 kids (3 and 7), and I also work 3 days a week and the other 4 days I have class (although I am only in 2 classes, but they are time-consuming--microbio and A&P 2). My husband has a pretty busy schedule...but he is home most evenings so that helps....and I get a lot of support from family too...not sure what I'd do without them! Do you have any friends or family that could help out? Maybe babysitting a few hours a week? Any little bit helps! Also, I think setting up a schedule sounds like a good idea, I need to try that myself! Good luck :-)

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Hi there! I'm a student now, and have just applied to hopefully begin the ADN program in the fall. I've got a 22 month old daughter. It's taken my awhile to get a routine down, but I have to say that getting a routine helps! I work part time and do school part time. My husband works days and helps out in the evenings with our daughter, but there are a couple nights a week he has things to do and can't help. So...what I usually do is this; when my daughter goes to bed, that's when I study. I set up a study area in our basement (my daughter loves to make messes and get into everything so I can't have this stuff upstairs). As soon as she's down, I grab the baby monitor and head down here. She goes to bed at 8:30 so from then until 11:30-midnight I work on school. It really helps. I treat the school work like a job (I can't blow it off or ignore it) and that mindframe helps too. I also live with a planner and write down everything, otherwise I forget things. I'd like to say that I also study when she naps, but that'd be a lie. Usually I nap too, or do laundry or housework......but mostly I nap. lol Good luck, I think you'll do great! :)

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I'm in the same boat. I have a daughter that JUST turned 3:bluecry1: . I am a single mother, work full time, and I am finishing up my prequisites at night time (classes 4 nights a week). It's not easy. I was working at an infant center teaching 2 year olds, but it was hard finding time to study. I would go to work and be SO tired afterwards. So I found a new job that paid a bit better as a receptionist and now I am able to study all day at work which I think is the only way I've been able to get an A in A&P. Now I can sleep at a normal time and not stay up until 3 am studying. I don't have much of a social life but having a job where I can study has helped me tons and is the only way I think I can make it. I'm not sure if your son is in daycare but if he is I would suggest having those days that you don't work to go to the library and study all day. I'll be starting nursing school spring 2013 as well. Good luck!

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Specializes in Reproductive & Public Health.

First I will say that if you are a naturally gifted learner,nursing school will be easy for you. I have 2 young kids and delivered twins as a surrogate while in nursing school, and managed to scrape by with a 3.97 GPA. I look at it this way- I am busy ALL THE TIME as it is, so nursing school isn't adding more work; it is just taking the place of other work! I think I cleaned my bathtub maybe twice the whole time I was in school, lol.You can do it. You just have to DO it.

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If possible, put him in daycare (or with a sitter) longer than you need. Then stay at school and get your work done. This used to help me a lot when I was in school the first time. Because I was still in "school mode." So right after class I would hit the library and get all of my assignments, studying, etc. done. That way I knew my sons were well cared for an occupied and then when we got home I could shift into mom mode and spend some quality time with them.

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