Need some advice - baby + nursing school

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Hello everyone! I am expecting my first baby at the end of December and finished all my nursing pre-req's Spring Qtr of this last year. I decided to post-pone my applications to nursing school for this current Fall b/c almost all the programs I was going to apply to did not allow one to take time off for pregnancy/child birth. Originally I decided to wait to apply for Fall 2011...the only thing now is almost every nursing school is requiring CNA certification to even apply. I do not have my CNA certification at the moment, but will be acquiring it either Spring or Summer qtr of 2011. My dilemma now is the ONE RN school that does NOT require CNA certification has a part-time option for their program that begins Spring 2011...so should I apply? Would it be crazy to go to RN school with a 3-4 month old baby? The program is part-time so I figured it wouldn't be impossible and my hubby and I have a great support system...I am just nervous that it may be crazy to do it. I know there is the possibility that I may not even get in for Spring, and have to wait for Fall anyways...but should I just go for it? Any mommies out there that have experience being a nursing student with a baby/small child? Thank you for your advice.

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I started when my 3rd was 6 months old...my 2nd was 18 months old and my 1st was 38 months old.

The baby will be pretty easy. I haven't had much trouble with it. You just need to utilize your support system.

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i would do part time. over waiting till fall and doing full time. nursing school is alot of work but if u really want it u can do it

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I personally would NOT want to do it with such a young baby. But it depends on the kind of parent you want to be. I had/have the mindset that babies/kids grow fast....so I've been a SAHM since a month before my 1st was born. It was important to me to raise my own kids and be with them as much as possible and I'm very glad I waited until my 2nd was about 19 months old before I began pre-reqs. Actually wish I could've waited a little longer like the original plan of having both kids in school but my husband is in sales and with the economy as bad as it was a couple years ago, 1 income wasn't working anymore. However...it's very possible doing it with an infant, just a little harder IMO. Heck a girl in my class had her baby a couple weeks ago on a Sunday night and was back in class on Wednesday, lol. She just has a good pump and a very helpful mommy, lol. Anyway....good luck with whatever program you decide BUT take it from me, I have a 6 1/2 year old and a 3 1/2 year old....they grow soooooo fast! I don't know you but I'd rather see you choose to enjoy your little one for as long as possible before diving into such a demanding program. :) Good luck!!

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Specializes in ER, ICU.

I would pursue the part time program. If you get in over your head with the baby, you will end up quitting school or not being able to keep up. Especially with your first baby you won't be as accomplished a parent as you will with later children. You should definitely apply. You can always defer or turn down an offer but you won't have any options if you don't apply. Good luck.

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I would recommend waiting until your baby is a bit older since you have a choice. A part time program would be perfect. Of course you might have the perfect support system with grandparents or other family to step up for you in which case you could go for it. You will not be allowed to miss any clinical days (some programs allow 1 per term under certain circumstances) so it's tough with a baby. There are people in my program with babies, but their partners are the ones home with baby.

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Thank you everyone for your advice. I am just going to apply and see if I get in. It's a lottery system at the school that I would be applying to, so the chances are pretty low. I think I would regret not applying and just waiting til Fall and then possibly not get in then and have to wait til Winter or Spring of the next year! I have lots of support from my hubby, my parents and his parents...as well as friends who are already volunteering to help baby sit. Since the program is part-time too (only a few days a week), I think that would be do-able with a little baby. I would still get to spend lots of time with my little one and wouldn't be balls to the wall, like I would in a full-time program. Thanks again! :)

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I started in a fast-track(10 month) ADN program in january when my son was only 9 mos old! My and my husband's family helped some. I couldn't have done it without them bc many of my clinical days were either on weekends or on weekdays lasting until7pm. There were times they kept him for me so I could study for exams and finals. Tremendous help!

Downside -He started datcare and we decided to wean him off breastmilk = added costs. Also, sometimes I feel like I missed out on being the first to witness his milestyones (not all). And since this is such a critical age for learning, I was always stressed about his development, benchmarks and his learning.. that added to my school stress.

Well, now he's 1.5yrs, extremely active, healthy and inquisitive like we had antivcipated. Lately it has been harder to study (Bc its a little harder to find a sitter for an antsy, talkative toddler!) but, I'm almost done with nursing school too!

So, starting nursing school with am infant is definitely doable when you have reliable help and a good, solid study group to get your notes when you have to miss class for baby's dr appt.

I suggest either starting school early while your child is still an infant or waiting until preschool age..toddlers are NOTHING TO PLAY WITH!!:redbeathe lol . GL

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As long as you have some form of child care I say go for it! I started school back up a couple months after my son was born (not nursing) and I found that as long as you have someone helping you that IS definitely reliable, then why not? my son was a year and a half when i started nursing.. now that age range, aaah I don't think I'd do it again! With the lack of assistance and my son's need for constant motion and entertainment, its been so hard. And I can't say I'd do it again if I had the chance ; /

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Wow. these posts are really scaring the crap out of me. I started my pre-reqs when my son was 4 mo old. I only took 2 classes at a time- at the most. and now that I am into the heavy sciences, I have the luxury of just taking one at a time. I am applying for 2 second degree BSN programs in my town, and they are both "accelerated." So, by the time I start, my son will be 25 mo. old. My mother in law has been watching him for me the whole time i've been going to school, otherwise, there is no way i'd be able to do it. I know the programs I'm applying for are going to be hard and demanding, but I can't let that stop me from doing what I want to do. Our family needs two incomes really really badly- and I need to get started in this new career asap. My husband is in recruiting, and of course gets paid on commission. So, things have been financially really hard. and they will get harder because I am going to have to quit the part time job that i have right now. anywho, I don't think you should let anyone talk you out of going to school altogether. the part time option sounds awesome- you are lucky that you have that choice!! Good luck! ;)

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