Mom of two small children applying to Accelerated BSN/MSN program

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Hi, I am a brand new user hoping that this site will help me. I am a pre-nursing student getting ready to apply to various Accelerated BSN/MSN programs for non-nurses with a Bachelors degree.

A big concern I have right know is that my son and daughter will be 5 and 3 by the time I begin nursing school. I am looking for advice from any woman who was in my same position when they began their nursing program. Is it possible to go through an accelerated program with small children? Do you know about schools that offer day care services or any kind of family support? Will I be able to see my children at all? Please there has to be someone who has been in my position, I would appreciate some feedback. Thanks.

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I will be starting a direct entry BSN/MS program in June. My kids are 2 & 4. I'm hoping it goes well!

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Specializes in Orthopedic, Corrections.

I am in an ASN program and have two girls ages 3, and 4. My oldest will be 5 soon and will start Kindergarten this summer. I schedule my classes so that I am in school M-F 8-2 and my husband works nights so we don't have to do daycare. We would qualify for help for childcare from the state, but I would rather not see my hubbie for a while, and let him have fun with the girlies during the day. I am stressed, and study a lot when the girls go to bed, but it works for us and I have a high B average in the nursing program (I got my first A last week!!) Good luck!!!

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I'm in semester 1 of 4 in an accelerated BSN program with a 19-month-old. It's hard but my family is a huge help. I study when I can (for example, hubby goes grocery shopping every weekend and takes the baby, coupled with a park trip or something). If he's making dinner, I'm playing with her at that time, and I try to put her to bed at least every other night.

It can work.

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I am in an accelerated BSN program and although I do not have kids (although my darling but very needy dog makes me feel like I do sometimes, haha) there are quite a few people in my program with kids, some with very young kids. They definitely have more juggling to do than I do, but they make it work. I think having an understanding spouse helps. The good news is, it is an accelerated program, so even if you have to make a lot of sacrifices at least it isn't for too long! Good luck to you!

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I think having an understanding spouse helps.

Are there any single parents?

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I am a single mom with a 10 week old. I went through my 1st semester of my ADN program pregnant. My program is an accelerated 16 month program and I'm not saying that it's not hard, but it is definitely doable. They say to sleep when the baby sleeps...I don't..I study and sleep when he sleeps late at night. I am fortunate to not have to use day care because my mother is retired. You can do it.

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Specializes in Endoscopy/MICU/SICU.

Hi! I started my ABSN program with a 16 month old, and now I'm in 2nd semester and just found out we're having another one right at the beginning of 4th semester. Honestly, it's really hard. There's so many days when I have to study for a big test, and all I want to do is hang out with my family. However, knowing that I only have 9 months left now is a huge incentive. That's the great thing about ABSN programs, they go so fast! So, even though you'll miss out on a lot of time with your kids, it'll go really fast and then you'll be a nurse! I know you mentioned Accelerated BSN/MSN programs, and I'm not really sure how that would work, but the ABSN program goes fast. You will have some days when you won't see your kids at all (12 hour clinical days), and then you'll have days when you're home all day, but have to spend a lot of it studying. Rare to have a day with nothing to do. The key is to really manage your time well. Make calendars and set deadlines. It's really helped me. And, my school has a daycare right on campus. It's really nice for students and teachers with small kids! The thing you can't expect is for your nursing school to give you special treatment because you have a sick kid, etc. Make sure you have plenty of family support. You can do it! Difficult, but doable if you have the motivation and support. Good luck!

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Thanks to everybody for sharing! And congratulations to all of you for your success. It is a relief to read others experiences. I have been thinking about doing just the acceBSN and see how it goes and then apply to a MSN program. I wonder if that is a good idea. We are planning to relocate wherever we have to for me to do the acceBSN, so if somebody thinks their program and school has a good support system for families with children tell me, thanks...

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I am in an ABSN program and I have 5 children, the youngest just turned 2. You can definitely do it if your spouse is very supportive. I have spoken to many nurses who went to NS with small children and almost all of them said their marriage suffered greatly, some went so far to say that their marriages have never been the same. That scared me a LOT, so my husband and I discussed in depth what he would have to do and that he pretty much could not count on me to cook or clean. It's actually been a little better than I anticipated, but it still is a challenge.

But the ABSN goes so fast! We figured we could do almost anything for a year!! Good luck!

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