Nervous about first year in nursing school with an infant son.

scribblerpnp · Jul 3, 2008

I would consider school comparable to a full time job. You will need to have great time management, but your baby will be no worse off than any other full time working mom.

Sure, it is going to be hard and will definately suck, but so long as you provide a positive environment and make the time you have with him quality time, he should have no problems!

And every mom has these concerns when she starts back to school or work after a new baby. There will be adjustments at first, your son is probably getting into the stages of early stranger anxiety. Most likely he will not be happy to see you go or be left with "strangers" (i.e. Anyone who isn't his primary care provider), but this is a normal part of his development.

MassED, BSN, RN · Jul 3, 2008

Please tell me I am not crazy, but I am very nervous about leaving my 7 month old son to attend nursing school this fall. I have most of my pre-reqs done except for my labs...I am just so worried leaving him will make him an unhappy baby. I feel like i will spend too much time on school work and not enough time with he will suffer. Please help me...I am so worried about this.

I started with my pre-requisites (I had Chemistry, Micro, Developmental psych, and a few others) when my son was 4 months old. Nursing school started when he was 10 months old and it was a nice break to spend time with him, then he went to bed and I re-focused on my studies until it was time to hit the hay. It was possible because he was an excellent baby who went to bed every night at 7:30pm without fail. He slept until 7am or later every morning and never woke up in the middle of the night by that time. I was very lucky, otherwise it would've been a nightmare.... like my second child! ha ha, just kidding. He didn't sleep EVER for more than 10 minutes at a time for naps and only slept at night for about 6 hours, all in the first year. Oh my god, exhaustion!

Needsmorechocolate, ASN · Jul 3, 2008

When I started nursing school my youngest was 3 months and I also had a 2 year old and a 3 1/2 year old. As another poster said, consider school your full time job. Great advice!

When the baby naps or is sleeping at night that will be your study time.

You will need the support of your husband/significant other, family members, neighbors and friends. They will come in handy when you need a babysitter when you go to the library or prepare for a presentation. I remember eating a lot of meals on paper plates to save on time doing the dishes. I also cooked meals that took less time to prepare. You will find your own shortcuts to save time.

You can do it! You will look back after you are all done and you will be so proud of your accomplishment.

HmarieD · Jul 3, 2008

I started pre-reqs when I was pregnant, then the nursing program when she was an infant. I was fortunate to have a great support system, it was tough but I made it with nearly all A's. My daughter (14 now) was always a night owl, I spent many nights studying with her on my lap, I tried to make a game of it, like "singing" the names of all the bones to her, or drug classifications or whatever. Surprising how that actually helped the info stick with me! You can do it, just remember you're doing it to make a better life for you and your family. Good luck!

katybee · Jul 4, 2008

Thank you all so much....Its nice to hear it from people who have been there.

Ponchie109 · Jul 4, 2008

Thanks for asking this... My newborn will be 3months when I start and I have 2 other young ones. This was great encouragement!