Moms who have made it through nursing school!

Nurses General Nursing

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Hi I am just starting out as pre-nursing student this fall and have applied for a local ASN program starting fall 2010. I am married with two children under the age of 3, and I am still breastfeeding one of them. I would really like to hear from other moms who have made it through or are currently nursing students. My biggest fear is just not being able to juggle all of this. My husband's job recently cut back factory workers to just three days a week!:cry::uhoh3: So I have had to go back to work also. I've been interested in becoming a nurse after I gave birth to my first child, because of how great my L and D nurse and midwife were :heartbeat! :heartbeat So if you could share how your experiences were I would really appreciate any advice on how to stay a great mom and great student!:bow:

I'm not in nursing school yet, but I am a mother of a 3 and 4 yr old. Things may get tough in the long run, but if Nursing is what you really want then don't let anything get in the way of your goal. Stay motivated and keep reaching for that accomplishment. I'm sure you won't regret it when you're finished. :nurse:

I graduated in May and passed the nclex in July. I also found out that I was awarded a transfer scholarship to work on my BSN. My fiancee is an otr truck driver. We have a 10 year old and 4 year old twins one of which has autism. I always say where there is a will there is a way.

I love this thread! I had the same concern. I am starting a BSN program next month and have a 20 month old. It is so encouraging to hear all of your experiences and success! :yeah:

I graduated in May and passed the nclex in July. I also found out that I was awarded a transfer scholarship to work on my BSN. My fiancee is an otr truck driver. We have a 10 year old and 4 year old twins one of which has autism. I always say where there is a will there is a way.

:bow:

Wow! Congratulations. All of these replys have been so encouraging to me!

Specializes in med surg.

I graduated May '08 from a community college 2yr program. When I started my kids were 11 and 7. I also had an aunt who I was very close with dying from lung cancer. She was never married and had no children so I helped care for her. I also have an elderly grandmother (81 at the time) who I primarily care for (take to Dr. and Dentist appt, purchase groc for her, wash and curl her hair, run errands etc). A few wks before classes began we had to meet at the school and had sort of an orientation to the program during which we were told "if it can go wrong it will during the program so be ready". Within the first couple wks of school my husband was put in the hospital for tachycardia (190's) and was diagnosed with cardiomyopathy. During the wk he was in the hospital I drove back and forth from the hospital and home (approx 100miles). I would sleep in the chair at the hospital, get up early and drive to school (half way btwn hosp and home) then go home for 1-2 hrs to be with my kids then drive back to the hosp for the night. Before the end of the first month my aunt passed away. All of that said I graduated with honors in May of '08 so trust me it can be done (I did not work a job at all though). I always tried to set aside atleast 1hr a day that was strictly for my family and I tried to spend all day on Sunday with them. Good luck whatever you decide!

its not easy... i feel mommy guilt for sure. with a traditional adn program you might be able to schedule it where you don't have to feel quite that burden but speaking as someone who used to just work 'when i wanted to' aroudn dh's schedule its been an adjustment.

Specializes in ED, ICU, Heme/Onc.

I went to NS with three children under the age of four - one was an infant at the time. If it wasn't for my husband changing his life to revolve around my school schedule, it never would have worked as well as it did. I even graduated at the top of my class (not that it means anything 6 years down the line), but it sure did give my self esteem a well needed boost at the time. As long as your husband/partner is as committed to this as you are - and he will be when he sees the person he loves fulfilling a dream - you will be just fine. Leave the "mommy guilt" at the door when you leave for class. The kids will be fine with their dad, and if anything, it will create a stronger relationship between them. Good luck! You can do it!

Blee

I started working on my BSN when my son was 2 and I did it while I was a single momma. During my time in college I got married, transferred schools (my husband is army so I moved to be with him), and had a baby my senior year. You can do it! I firmly believe, like many of the people posting here that if you really want it, no matter what you can make it happen. Good luck!

Specializes in ICU.

Do it. Do it. You will be such a better mother and provider as a nurse. School is temporary and your kids will be inspired by your accomplishments (when they're older... :). Job security, great shifts to get you to games and performances, and allow you to be there as mom for your kids.

Oh, and get yourself a good double pump with a hands free bra...... seriously. there's one on the la leche league store site. nothing like multi-tasking.... early morning make-up / pump sessions.... lunch on clinicals (in the pumping room of course) / pump session.....

Some hospitals have pumping rooms with the hospital grade pumps in them already. You just need to supply the tubing and attachments. Don't forget to ask... you'll find that nurses (especially the more senior I found) in general are super supportive of being a mom and have some great and crazy stories of how they juggled life pre-fmla and all that. Most of them were there too... :)

Do it. Do it. DO IT!! you will have rough days, but in the end, it's totally worth it.

Good luck!!

Specializes in skilled nursing LTC.

I went to school full time at night, worked during the day and my kids were 18months and 5 at the time. thank goodness for my husband because he was with them at night and picked them up from daycare/school. I came home at about 10pm and would study until i couldn't keep my eyes open anymore. i did well in school just kept organized and found a good way for me to study and remember the information with having to memorize to much. looking back now it wasn't too bad but during i didn't think NS was ever going to end but i got through it so can you.

I went to school full time at night, worked during the day and my kids were 18months and 5 at the time. thank goodness for my husband because he was with them at night and picked them up from daycare/school. I came home at about 10pm and would study until i couldn't keep my eyes open anymore. i did well in school just kept organized and found a good way for me to study and remember the information with having to memorize to much. looking back now it wasn't too bad but during i didn't think NS was ever going to end but i got through it so can you.

:yeah: Congratulations! Unfortunately the only school in my area that I can afford only offers full time day classes, so I can't do nights and weekends which is what other moms have suggested and my husband works nights, but we are working on a schedule with other willing family members.

Thanks to the mom who started this thread and to all the moms who answered. I had completed most of my pre-requisites and decided to try to have another baby, move into a bigger house etc... Well I have my baby girl who is now 3 and my two boys 9 and 6. I have been wanting to go back and finish but have been procrastinating. I really needed to read this post. It has given me the kick in the pants that I needed and the encouragement. Thank's to all of you and your great words of wisdom! MOMS RULE!!!!!!!:yeah:

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