Needing advice on being a nurse! Especially Moms going through school

pbco · Feb 28, 2013

I am currently a stay at home mom of a 4 and 1 year old. I went to tech school for graphic design about ten years ago. I got a job in my career field worked there for 8 years and last year the company went under. And with the internet advertising $5.00 logos and $10 web design the whole field is a water down mess. So hence I am at home trying to figure out my next chapter in my life. A couple of weeks ago I was taking my 4 year old to school and I was walking down the hallway and noticed a sign on the wall. It said "You want to be a nurse?" I thought to myself "that would be a pretty cool job since I like helping people." The issue or butterflies in my stomach is...can I do this with kids at home? I have been looking up many articles where you have to spend at least six hours of studying for this which if I mean if I have to do it I will but I have a guilt on my shoulders about not being able to spend time with them. I am picturing myself down in the basement studying all night while my kids are with my husband every day...or am I stressing out to the extreme?....[/quote']
Hello MizMaverick! I'm a mother of two kids and have long wanted to be a nurse before I got pregnant with our youngest. I put off my nursing school plans until he was in school full-time (pre-K).
It was a good decision for us since our kids are very attached to me and I probably couldn't have studied effectively without our kids wanting my undivided attention.
At first, it'll be emotionally hard to hide out in the basement to study. I cried all the way to school as I dealt with separation anxiety. It also helps a lot if your husband agrees to support you and help keep the kids busy.

45whenimdone · Feb 28, 2013

I am a stay at home mom to four kids age range 3-11. I have taken my time with the prereq's and will apply jan 14 to start in Aug '14 my youngest will be 4 only in preschool. I will then have a 3rd, 5th and 6th grader PLUS after school sports, music and LIFE. My husband now commutes 2 hours to and fro work daily but his new job will be 10 min away by the time I start. He also coaches football from July-Jan. With that being said: my kids are very dependent and attached to me, but I have been telling them since I started my first prereq that I wanted to be a nurse and I am taking classes to do it. this is 3 years in the making now. I will be graduating with my AA in Sociology in May; and finishing my sciences for my Aug '14 start date (anticipated). I have heard the stories too; but being that I have explained and showed them by studying alongside with them; family close by and know how much work I will be counting on them for back up sitting etc...we as a family look at 2-3 years down the line. When it is all done and all the things our family will be able to have and achieve.

Yours are still young for school, but believe me, when your finishing your prereq, your kids will get use to you having study time and school time. If it's something you really want iwth all of your heart you will get there and your kids will be fine. It's good to get daddy and kid time too! its a win win situation all across the board. good luck and never give up dreaming! follow your passion! I am!

carbon86 · Feb 28, 2013

Somebody on here once said that you don't get a free toaster just because you finish your pre-reqs first. Its kinda crazy but really good advice. I have three little ones and started my pre-nursing journey in August of 2010 and am just now applying to an 18 month fast track prgram. I have found great life school balance by taking one science and one other elective. For example Microbiology and Human Growth and Development, this way you work load is completely reasonable and you can achieve very good grades. The other thing that I did was take ALL of my prerequisites and co-requisites this way when I start I will just be focusing on the nursing classes, which I think ends up being 2 maybe 3 classes a semester. I was actually sitting doing my homework last night while my two daughters ages 6 and 7 sat at the table and crafted, I asked them if it bothers them that mommy goes to school, and they said no they like it because we sit together at the kitchen table and do work together. If you can find the right balance you will actually love going back to school with kids, I only go to campus once a week right now ( 6 hour Saturday class) and it's a really nice break to listen to the music I want to on the drive, talk to other adults, and go to the bathroom by myself (a real treat that you can't understand unless your a mom). And as far as studying for your perquisites, I have never had to study for six hours and i've achieved A's in my sciences, that's a bunch of boloney, kind of like the rumor that you need a 4.0 to get into nursing school (although you should strive for it).

donk · Feb 28, 2013

You can do it!!! I have 3 boys and I did a year of prep work ( a pre Ralph sciences program) and am just finishing up my first year in a 4 year nursing degree!! There are times where it is stressful but you learn to manage time well and balance things. I was a stay at home mom for 10 years and decided that when my youngest started school I would too! I'm doing this for me and for my family. It's a tough road sometimes but totally doable!! Good luck!

donk · Feb 28, 2013

Should say pre health. Stupid auto correct lol

Trenata · Feb 28, 2013

I am a SAHM. I have studied online for about 2.5 years. However, I wasn't working on nursing until this semester. Honestly, I waited until my son started kindergarten this year to begin nursing prereqs. However, if you are willing to go slow, I'd say you could consider being mom during the day and having your husband do the evening and weekend stuff as much as possible. If you can take one class at a time online or in the evening, it is doable to be a SAHM and go to school. For me, it is really important to be a mom, so I waited until I knew I could really devote time to study and put my most important job first, being a mom.

However, I have to say, for a while this semester there was an adjustment period. I was spending way too much time studying and I saw how that affected my son. He was whiny and crying about missing me at school. I realized I needed to adjust my schedule for him and devote more quality time to him - so I did, and the problem was solved.

All to say, if you take one class at a time, it is totally doable on the weekends and the evenings - if that is your goal. If the kiddos are in school, then of course during that time too! Once they begin formal education, then you have the whole day available. Good luck on the journey!

MizMaverick · Feb 28, 2013

Wow! Thank you all for all of your personal journeys! Makes me feel a lot more secure about the choice I will be making. (A big inhale and exhale.) Thanks for responding with such great support stories! I look up to all the school moms on here and hopefully I can help someone in my shoes someday! Hope everyones day is great!

Stephalump · Feb 28, 2013

The vast majority of my NS cohort are parents (about 80%), so you surely won't be alone in your journey!

I will say this. The commitment is huge. I'm not sure what you meant by "6 hours studying." Per day? Per week? Per test? In pre-reqs I probably spent that much time studying per test. In nursing school? That's about the half the time it takes me to do my weekly clinical paperwork between classes, clinical, homework, reading, projects, and studying, it's more like a 40-60 hour a week commitment. For classmates who took one pre-req at a time for god knows how long, there were more than a few mental breakdowns. I don't think slow is a bad way to go, but be aware that nursing school will be hyperspeed with zero time for "adjustment".

We have all had to resolve the parental guilt one way or another. Some people have resolved it by dropping out. Most of us have just had to bury it in the backyard and tell ourselves it's for the kids best interest that they see us accomplish out goals/help support the family, blah blah. We pay penance on breaks. :)

phoenixnim · Feb 28, 2013

I'm a single Mom. I never had a choice but leaving my kids at a young age in order to support my little family. We are all fine. We are still attached and have a good relationship. They love their friends at daycare/preschool. The teachers there are amazing and it warms my heart to see my children learning how to build bonds with other people besides me.

I started pre-reqs last year while working full time. I study after my kids go to bed and on all day on weekends they are with their Dad.

I buried Mommy guilt long ago when I realized I'm doing a pretty awesome thing teaching my kids that they can do anything and to just go for their goals. It's a fun juggling act, but it's worth it. It isn't about the quantity of time you spend with your kids, it's about quality. Some things cannot be changed. It doesn't make anyone less of a Mom. Everyone has to do what is best for their family, whatever choice they decide is right for them.

But school is most definitely possible with kids. I personally feel it's a great life lesson to teach children about how important shcool is, and about dedication.

findingme02 · Feb 28, 2013

I'm a single Mom. I never had a choice but leaving my kids at a young age in order to support my little family. We are all fine. We are still attached and have a good relationship. They love their friends at daycare/preschool. The teachers there are amazing and it warms my heart to see my children learning how to build bonds with other people besides me.
I started pre-reqs last year while working full time. I study after my kids go to bed and on all day on weekends they are with their Dad.
I buried Mommy guilt long ago when I realized I'm doing a pretty awesome thing teaching my kids that they can do anything and to just go for their goals. It's a fun juggling act, but it's worth it. It isn't about the quantity of time you spend with your kids, it's about quality. Some things cannot be changed. It doesn't make anyone less of a Mom. Everyone has to do what is best for their family, whatever choice they decide is right for them.
But school is most definitely possible with kids. I personally feel it's a great life lesson to teach children about how important shcool is, and about dedication.

I am super impressed! And you make it seem so much more possible for me. I am struggling with how to make it work as a single mom, but you are giving me so much hope!

Boxer Mama · Feb 28, 2013

I am a mom to 3 kids, ages 10, 8 and 5. I have been slowly doing pre-req classes for six semesters now. There have been days where all I do is study. I do study in the room with my kids, as I can work with distractions, but there are times I do put my kids after my studying and that is just the way it has to be. I know that it will only be worse when I start nursing school this fall (hopefully). But, it is not forever and my kids are very proud of what I am doing. Nursing school is a massive commitment, but for me it is absolutely worth it since this is something I have wanted for a long time and I am willing to do what it takes. You just have to put the guilt aside and know that there are going to times where you have to put studying and school first. But, anything is possible if it is what you really want! Good luck!