New mom wanted to go to a Nursing School

boston-baked · Sep 23, 2009

To New Mom, If this is your first baby, you may not realize how tired you will be. I mean you can do it, but your life may be more miserable than you can handle as nursing school is "one hard road." Many long nights of typing care plans and many difficult classes such as high acuity nursing and OB. I have a sister in law who teaches back East and her program doesn't sound as grueling as mine was but they are all difficult. I had a grown family at home and I was always needing to do something for someone and I admittedly cried many times from the pressure and exhaustion of it all. It is a nightmare to think back on. So glad to be done. Babies need our attention more than we realize and I have had 8 and am glad I had time to spend with them. If you are desperate for a career (finances) you may have no choice; but don't expect it to be as easy as pre-requisites because it is not. I have seen a few women do it with tiny ones at home, but they had family to help. It's a tough decision to make, but you can't go back and relive those days with an infant and young toddler. I waited until everyone was in school and it was still crazy. I am just trying to help you see that it may be tougher than you think.

Best wishes.

BoomerRN · Sep 23, 2009

I had three children ages 6, 3, and 7 1/2 months old when I started nursing school in 1975 at age 26. I remember sitting in a classroom in Case Western Reserve University when my daughter was one month old, taking the NLN test. It was a very long test and I was breast-feeding my daughter. After three hours, I could feel the milk dripping out, but I had padded my breasts good. When I got home, the pads were so heavy with milk I could have used them as weapons. :chuckle

My mother and mother-in-law refused to watch the kids regularly, so I had to find a sitter, which was somewhat difficult back then. Fortunately, a couple of ladies in my church helped me. I paid $30/week back then, there were no sitting agencies where I lived. My husband worked 8 hours/day and helped all he could, he was great.

It was very difficult and there were times I wished I had waited until the children were older, but I completed the course with God's help, hard work, and determination. The instructors did everything they could to frustrate everyone. This was their way of weeding us out. Later, when I began to work, I saw the reason why. You have to be strong willed, determined, and somewhat stubborn to work as a nurse, I had all three. :) The program reminded me of being in the army--rules, restrictions, etc. I had to let the house pretty much go--no heavy cleaning--and did only what was necessary. I stayed up late, and sometimes, all night to study and complete projects. I graduated with a "B" average.

I was disappointed in nursing as a profession. I hated how the doctors treated nurses. I loved the patients. My only regret is that I should have tried working as a CNA before jumping into the RN program.

One of the great things about nursing, you have so many other options to use your training. As a nurse I worked in hospitals, nursing homes, and my last ten years I worked at a local university as a clinical research corrdinator, which I loved.

Overall, if you have the ambition, determination, regular help with your children, I would say go for it.

Good luck.

bcems134 · Sep 23, 2009

I have no family in town except my ex's family and I put my child in daycare and afterschool. If you have a low income, you may qualify for daycare vouchers from your county government. We recieved WIC and vouchers, you can call social services in your area and ask them if they can help you with expenses if your college does not offer childcare.

Working fulltime and going to school will not leave much time for yourself and your child, but anything is possible if you put your mind to it.

doclee · Sep 23, 2009

I had to think long and hard before I responded. I have one important question and that is how close are you to completing the ADN? I was pregnant my senior year in college and my son was born at the end of April. I went back to classes one week after his birth, but had lots of help come stay with us. When I was changing careers and returned to school to become a nurse my children were 3, 5, 8, and 11, but again I had help. In both cases, it wasn't easy. My study time was from 10p till 2 or 3 am after the house was quiet.

So, if you are close to completion, you might hang in there if your school is accommodating. If you are at the very start, your life probably would be easier if you dropped out and returned later.

I taught nursing for 25 years and saw students stick with it and others leave and return. What's important is that you take care of yourself and your baby to be.

croloff303 · Sep 23, 2009

Just thought I would drop a note to say...

YES IT IS POSSIBLE!!!

In fact, baby years are some of the best time to finish a degree. I did my RN when my daughter was a baby. Now that she is in grade school with homework, there is no way I could have done RN school now. I'm so glad I started my ADN when she was 6 months old. Now that I'm done, I know I can provide the best for her.

Cindy, LPN, GN

Lenina · Sep 23, 2009

Hi! Congratulations with the Baby! It is a blessing to have your own and take care of him/her by yourself.

I was in the same situation as you 3 years ago. I couldn't wait to go back to school, I was motivated and my daughter was 3 month old when I went back to school. During the second semester I started to realize that I made a wrong decision. Although physically and mentally I am quite a strong person I should have waited for year or two to regain my full strength back and to let my baby grow stronger near her mommy. So, I withdrew then..... I took two years off, cared for my sweetheart, and now continuing with my education.

Wish you all the best. And please take your time, school can wait, but your Baby needs YOU now!

Good luck!

bbrobozio · Sep 24, 2009

Congratulations! I just wanted to offer my support. I started my prereqs with two little ones. I was in a not so good marriage and knew I wanted to become an RN in case I needed out. I then became pregnant, and what do you know, IT WAS TWINS!! I entered the Nursing Program when they were 18 months old, yep, 4 kids 5 and under. My GPA was 3.8, I worked 20 hours a week and put up with my husband who would be either supportive or would disappear for a week, taking all the money, car, etc. I did have family to help some, but they sure weren't doing the school work or going to my job, and the raising of the kids was pretty much up to me. I ended up leaving my husband 9 months after graduation. That was 13 years ago. Becoming a nurse is the BEST thing I ever could have done for myself. It gave me independence, freedom, and a job I LOVE LOVE LOVE!!! You can do it if you have the will and desire. You'll look around at the students who aren't working, aren't paying for their education and all they have to do is study and hope they realize how lucky they are, but you know, everybody has their own stuff to deal with, so you'll just be dealing with you're stuff. Good luck!!

Mariah'smomSOON2bRN · Sep 24, 2009

Hello. I will have a Baby on November and I am in the process of getting my ADN. would it be possible to study nursing and have a baby? how difficult would that be? To all the mommas here who went to a nursing school, how did you manage? did you have a hard time studying and passing? in my situation, i have no family here to look after my child and my husband is working 12hours a day. I am pretty sure the the baby sitter will cost me a lot of money too. Thank you for reading.

Hey!!! Just wanted to say it is totally possible. When I found out I was pregnant I was just starting my pre reqs. My daughter just turned 2 and I just found out I got into the BSN program at Fresno State. I finished pre reqs and transfer requirements in 2 years at a JC. A lot of people don't even do that without a baby. Let me say, it wasn't easy, but absolutely worth it. Some things that worked for me were to keep her on a schedule. wake up at a certain time, eat meals, nap, bath, bed time, everything was on a schedule. I did my homework and studying around that schedule too. When she took naps, I cracked the books, after she went to bed I worked for about an hour, I even woke up about an hour before her to hit the books again. Another thing is to not procrastinate. You won't have the luxury to cram for like 5 hours straight...do a little bit at a time. Its a better way of studying anyway. I hope I helped. You just gotta be organized and patient. And take a little bit of time for yourself, even if its just taking a nice hot bath. Good luck!!!

tofuti1960 · Sep 24, 2009

Hey there....most of us have had plenty of other responsibilities while attending nursing school. I have 3 kids and each time I went back to work before the babies were 3 months old. I was fortunate to have help as far as childcare goes, but it was still very difficult to leave them when they were so young. Can you afford to do on-line classes? That would be your best bet for now, because your baby is still young enough that you have TOTAL control of his/her surroundings, etc. Also, most infants sleep ALOT! So, that would give you freedom to study. I think there are still some weekend programs for nursing, and that may give you more leadway for child care. Good luck to you and don't give up your dream.....if there's a will, there's a way....

ok55 · Sep 27, 2009

Hi, I entered a nursing program when my youngest child was six months old. I worked part-time and had a husband that was very supportive. Stay focused and you'll do great. :yeah:

sewingkelli · Sep 27, 2009

You can ABSOLUTELY do it. If you want it bad enough you will find a way. I went back to school when my 3rd child was 4 weeks old and my other 2 were not even 2yrs or 4yrs old yet.

You will need back up plans though, somehow you have to figure out a plan B, plan C and a plan D for childcare.

During nursing school we had 2 girls give birth, one gave birth on wednesday and was back in class on friday for a test. So it can be done.

Good luck and congratulations!

Kelli

mtopolinski · Oct 2, 2009

Hi Lisa,
I was reading your post and I know that you are from the phils.My name is Edna
I am a nurse graduate from the phils. I am now in Louisiana.

Hi Edna! yes I am from the Phils. How long have you been there as a nurse? I was so glad i foud my kababayan in here. How are you?