My Nursing Future

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Specializes in M/S, LTC, Corrections, PDN & drug rehab.

So I just had my first child & now I know why everyone kept telling me to bridge before I had any kids.

I'm wondering how & when I will be able to go back to school. I am 26 & I know it's not the end of the world but I was very much looking forward to becoming an RN.

My husband & I know we want 1 more child. Obviously that won't be for at least 2+ years.

So I have 2 questions. For all the parents out there, how did you juggle school & kids & when did you decide to go back to school, how old were your kids? I know by the time I decide to apply to nursing programs I'll have to retake my sciences (boo). My second question is, should I let my LVN license go inactive since I'm not going to work or go to school for awhile, so would it be worth paying the fee every 2 years to keep it active?

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Keep it active. It is tough with kids, but you can do it!

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Specializes in M/S, LTC, Corrections, PDN & drug rehab.

He's only 1.5 months so I guess it's really hard to see that far into the future but I guess knowing I have to wait 2+ years to have another kid, then wait for that kid to be in school. I know it'll be awhile before I'll be bridging.

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It sounds like you've already decided to be a SAHM for the next couple of years. If so, then I second what the PP said about keeping your license active. If it's possible to work PRN somewhere during that interval, it will be worth doing to keep your nursing skills current, even if you only work a couple of days a month.

If, however, you are on the fence about waiting that long to bridge, know that doing a bridge program is doable with kids. My school offered an evening/weekend program, so there were a lot of us that had children and/or jobs.

My oldest was a toddler when I did my bridge program, and I worked full time to boot. I also became pregnant with my second while in the program (not exactly how we planned it!) and gave birth a few months after graduation. We found a way to make it work, and I don't regret a thing. The key for me was having family support.

There's never a "perfect" time, just remember that.

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.
He's only 1.5 months so I guess it's really hard to see that far into the future but I guess knowing I have to wait 2+ years to have another kid, then wait for that kid to be in school. I know it'll be awhile before I'll be bridging.
DO NOT LET YOUR LICENSE GO!

Keep it active just do the continuing ED if required for LPN's in your state. Once you let it go it can be a hassle to get it back. Check with your BON for requirements and an inactive license.

How are YOU feeling and how is your new addition?

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Specializes in M/S, LTC, Corrections, PDN & drug rehab.
DO NOT LET YOUR LICENSE GO!

Keep it active just do the continuing ED if required for LPN's in your state. Once you let it go it can be a hassle to get it back. Check with your BON for requirements and an inactive license.

How are YOU feeling and how is your new addition?

I'm stressed, this baby wasn't planned so I'm learning as I go. I have epilepsy so I need sleep. I can't afford to get pregnant or have a newborn during school & be sleep deprived. That's also the main reason I'm a SAHM & waiting so long before I go back to school/work.

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Do NOT let your license expire! Most LPN/LVN to RN bridge programs REQUIRE an ACTIVE LPN/LVN license. If you let it lapse/expire you no longer meet that requirement.

My story, I was a month from turning 38 when I began my LPN schooling. At that time my two children were 5 and 14 (so one had just started kindergarten and the other had just started high school). I began practicing as an LPN in 2008 and then did the bridge (LPN to RN) program in 2011 (pre-reqs needed for RN program, some were repeat classes as my sciences were too old). I graduated in May 2013 at the age of 44, my children were 11 and 20. And now I'm back at it doing the RN to BSN :)

Let me repeat...do not let your license go!

Juggling home, school, family, kids can be daunting but its not impossible. Most moms have the skills needed in order to do it..time mangement, orginization and the ablility to prioritize what needs to take priority now and what can wait. I worked full time and went to school full time during both LPN and RN school. Currently I'm working a full time, a per diem (no less than 12 hrs per week) and doing my BSN classes. One major component to being able to do it all...a support system that kicks it up a notch and takes some of the household duties off you. My family was that support system. My husband became "Mr Mom' in a sense. He took over grocery shopping and cooking..he helped out with the household chores and would always shoo me away if I tried to help, telling me my studies needed to be done more than me helping with dinner or dusting. (Have to say..he is a keeper!). That being said, I've also had friends who's SO/husband did not help out in any way. They were still able to get through school. It wasn't easy, but to them it was well worth it.

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Specializes in M/S, LTC, Corrections, PDN & drug rehab.

My husband works in the oil field & is gone for 2 weeks & only home for a week. There is no telling what job he'll have, how long he'll be gone for or how long he'll be home for. Who knows where we'll be living in the future too! Hopefully still in this area so his & my family can help us out when I'm in school.

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I have 2 kids- 8 and 4- and I go to school and work. IT IS ROUGH! Luckily, I have support and also a 24/7 daycare. I make sure that my kids see my face everyday and we spend time together doing family stuff at least once per week. I take it one day at time. When I feel I'm getting overwhelmed, which is NOT infrequent, I talk it out with someone, I pray, I get a good night's sleep, I excercise, or I cry it out (sometimes you just have to) and carry on. This is temporary and when I'm done (in May 2015- whoop whoop!) we are going to celebrate!!

Then- when I decide to go back for my master's (at least 2 years later) I'm going to take it super slow. Like one or two classes per semester so that I can have an actual life while in school.

Again- it is hard, but you adjust, and you push through, and you get 'er done!

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Specializes in ICU.

Take care of yourself first! I would not let it go inactive if you plan on returning. It's a small fee to pay to keep it active. I stayed home with my son until he was 8. I could have probably could have gone back earlier with him, but I had other reasons. I would at least wait until your oldest is in school. These precious years go by so fast, so if you can eat it all up now. Pregnancy is hard especially with epilepsy, so give yourself some time to rest and recover. But keep that license! You worked hard to earn it.

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.
I'm stressed, this baby wasn't planned so I'm learning as I go. I have epilepsy so I need sleep. I can't afford to get pregnant or have a newborn during school & be sleep deprived. That's also the main reason I'm a SAHM & waiting so long before I go back to school/work.

I remember your other thread....((HUGS)) it was a rough pregnancy if I remember correctly. Newborns aren't easy...every new Mommy is stressed and sleep deprived. I promise this will end...it will get better. Is your Mom still with you?

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Specializes in M/S, LTC, Corrections, PDN & drug rehab.
I remember your other thread....((HUGS)) it was a rough pregnancy if I remember correctly. Newborns aren't easy...every new Mommy is stressed and sleep deprived. I promise this will end...it will get better. Is your Mom still with you?

Yes. My husband & I are still living with her. She is a great help, I don't know what I would do without her.

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