wife due soon, should I defer RN-BSN program?

[CacaoHeart]

I began applying to online RN-BSN programs before my wife became pregnant and now that she's due in March I've been accepted to my top choice program that would start in January. It looks like I can readily defer starting to next August but I'm wondering how much that will help. Either way I'll be taking paternity leave for a little while and then back to working full time. When I start the program it will be part time and completely online. I'll need to start on my BSN within the next 3.5 years per my employment agreement and finish within 7 years.

If you were working full time and your spouse was about to have a baby, would you wait 7+ months before starting back at school? I'm not sure if school will be easier with a 5 month old or not, but want to make sure I can provide my wife with all the support she needs in the first few weeks post delivery. It may also not be all that great for my grades to be attempting coursework while tending to a newborn. I'm curious what experience others have to share.

[MrChicagoRN, RN]

My son was a toddler when I went to EMT classes, and then to nursing school.

I think it'll be rough to start a class during the last 2 months of pregnancy, especially if it's your first. Having a newborn in your life is also a major adjustment. Life could get quite stressful.

Talk it over with your wife, but I think you might want to wait till fall.