mom of 2 soon to be in accelerated program

[brooklynne]

I have a toddler and an infant and will be starting an accelerated program in the next two weeks. I am pretty nervous about it. I wanted to hear from any others who have had to deal with family and school and how they managed. I want to be successful at school, marriage and kids. Any advice?

[lil_ms_mommy]

Hello,

Congrats on starting your program! When I started school, I was a single mother of 4 young children. When I started my nursing program, which was an accelerated program, I moved in with my significant other and his 3 children. Once I started the nursing program, working full time was just not an option for me so I did go to part time at the hospital where I work night shift. I have to say it was really tough at times. I had a wonderful support system in place to help with the kids... babysitters, friends, and family. I did A LOT of studying late at night after getting the kids to bed, sometimes going to bed myself at 5:00 am just to wake up at 6:30am to start getting the kids up and off to school or day care. The whole experience was a little rough on my relationship, but I really worked to try to make time for everyone in my life and looked forward to the breaks in between terms to reconnect with my loved ones. Nursing school can be crazy and hectic, but it really is for a short period of time and I think that is the thing that kept me focused and on track. If you can find a system that works for you, it will be fine, and before you know it you will be on the other side thinking Wow... I can't believe I am done :). Hang in there!

[brooklynne]

Thanks lill ms mommy.That is pretty encouraging. Sometimes I feel overwhelmed without school and I wonder if it's realistic to add something else to the equation but it's good to hear that you did it with 4 of them and working part-time. Congrats on finishing!