NP school with a toddler

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Specializes in Oncology.

Curious if anyone out there can lend me their success stories (or failure) of attempting FNP school with a toddler at home. I currently work part time but realize I would probably have to go PRN to attempt both. I am trying to decide if I should go ahead and go, or if it might be easier to wait longer.

What worked for you if you had young children at home during grad school? Any advice is appreciated.

Thanks :)

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I have an 18th month old and a 7 week old. I work m-f 730 to 330 and will stay that way until clinicals. I took 1 class this semester but plan on doing 2 from here on out. My plan is to just wing it, lol. Just gonna take it as it comes. My husband is really supportive so that's a major help. My program is B&M with some online and hybrid classes.

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Specializes in Pediatrics, High-Risk L&D, Antepartum, L.

I have 5 kids...3 up to teenagers. I'm doing PNP. It isn't always easy but I need to get it done...we make it work.

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Specializes in Med/surg, Tele, educator, FNP.

When I did my FNP I was working Monday thru Friday, had to five that up for a per diem floor job. It was the most flexible and allowed me the most time with family and school.

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Specializes in Emergency.

I have two teenagers who often act like their maturity level is that of a toddler, does that count?

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I have a 6 month old and I'm working on obtaining my fnp degree..I work prn..you can do it

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I'm going to start my fnp program this summer and i have 2 kids too. I'm working prn too, so i hope we can make it.. Good luck! ;)

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I'm planning on starting NP school and trying to get pregnant at the same time. Not the ideal, but it's the plan that works best for us. I figure I can always take a semester off or only take one course when I'm due/the couple of months after birth whichever semester that will fall under.

I also work full time.

For me, we are prepared for me to stop working/per diem when that happens. I currently work 50-60hrs/week and am taking 20 credits this semester to finish my BSN (next week, yay!) but we know that I can't do full time school, full time work and have a baby. Work will be what we cut out and we are prepared to do so.

It also helps that my mother is retiring and will be a free source of child care. I think having a plan in place financially and child care-wise is prudent. A supportive husband helps as well! Luckily my husband is my biggest cheerleader.

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Just to clarify, I'm doing the NP program part-time. Will work per diem/part time and will have the baby. Full time school wouldn't work with this set-up!

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As having graduated an FNP program, I can say it wasn't always easy with a little one but it was doable. I was pregnant during my second semester of school and throughout the summer semester. I took off the fall semester to deliver my son and then was back to it in he spring. I know of people who continued right after delivering. As for the spring semester that was my last non-clinical semester. I did clinicals that summer with a 6 math old, had to drive over an hour away from home for clinicals and was working full-time along with taking 2 classes a semester. What did I learn from this whole experience? It is very draining and some days I got no sleep but I realized where my support system was. Many of us have children before or during our program so therefore it is very doable. Good luck with everything. As the motto I like to use..."Just keep swimming..."

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Specializes in Oncology.

thanks for all your responses! Unfortunately my program of choice only offers Full Time now, so that is my main dilemma! Have to decide by next week. I am lucky to have a very supportive husband, so I know we can make it work if its in the cards. Good luck to everyone who is in school now as well..!

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