Nursing School and Being a Mom?

Published

Are the two compatible? I am going so crazy with not knowing what to do next in life because I am so conflicted...I am the mother of four children and we want just one more (the first three are from my first marriage, current dh and I only have one biological together and would like one more). I became a CNA and love it, I start a new job in a couple of weeks at a rehab hospital with a good hourly wage and will be working two twelve hour shifts a week. I have wanted to be a nurse for a long time, but I also love being a good wife and mother. At first my dh said he would be completely supportive if I wanted to go to LPN school for a year, and we could put off having a baby, he would run the kids everywhere, etc., but now he is saying how he really needs to finish up his bachelors (he has been going at least part-time while working full-time for two years) and really would need to take at least one or two classes while I am going. I don't see how this will work, I know LPN school will be HARD and I am afraid of getting in it and having a nervous breakdown from trying to take care of the kids and house and do school. I could take RN pre-reqs part-time and work part-time but when I think of that I get discouraged about it taking so long and also about being overwhelmed. Are the pre-reqs easier than actual nursing classes and will it not be so overwhelming?? Advice is welcome if you have any....LPN or RN school with kids-which is more doable??

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Well I hope it's all doable because this month my Dh will be going back to school to finish his bachelors and I will be starting nursing school (I finished pre-reqs this summer). We only have one kiddo though who is 4.

We don't really have a choice because we both need to finish our degrees to get out of dead end jobs. It's going to require some very strict scheduling and more than likely a little help from some willing family members w/ some childcare to fill the inevitable gaps and during finals week, BUT we are both determined to do it!

I haven't started my actual nursing classes yet but I didn't think prereqs were TOO bad (and i've been out of school for 8 years). If I were you I think I would start on my prereqs for RN while your husband finishes and then at that time you would be ready to start your clinicals and nursing classes. It might take longer but it will all be worth it! I couldn't imagine going through nursing classes w/o having a husband and a family that were able to help out w/ the kids and house stuff.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

It'll probably just make it harder then it already is. Do what you think you can handle. I'm going against the kind advice I got here and elsewhere and hubby and I are still going to try for #3 in Sept and Oct...that way I'd be due in between semesters. I'd rather have another baby while in school then while working and have to deal with having to take time off and whatnot. Anyway....good luck with whatever you decide. :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I'm sorry. If you think there is a need to ask this sort of question, you already know the answer. I'm not saying you can't do it. I'm just saying you know the answer.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I'm sorry. If you think there is a need to ask this sort of question, you already know the answer. I'm not saying you can't do it. I'm just saying you know the answer.

Really? Why do you think that? I was just looking for advice or words of encouragement from someone who has been there and done it successfully. How do you feel your experience has been with nursing school and being a mother? Because I looked up some posts that you had replied to other than mine, and they actually had a lot of good tips about balancing nursing school and motherhood. So, I just don't understand why this post had to be a rather discouraging one......

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I know a friend, who is a mother of two kids, she took the prereqs for nursing school part-time (she wants to be a RN) and did it very well. If you really want to be a nurse, just go for it. Everything is doable if you really want to do it.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

kendra1978- I'm sorry. I should have been more specific in terms of you having another baby. You don't seem at all oblivious to how hard the work is in NE, w/ children that you already have. So, if you know how hard it will be, why have another child during school? That was my point. I should have been more thorough. I def. think anyone w/ children can do it. I think only a few may be able to go thro it pregnant and a couple that can w/ a newborn. That's just my honost opinion, and while you may find some posters on here that have had a child during their NE experience, it doesn't make it a doable process for everyone. BUT-THEN- I realized I had misunderstood your post. It seemed to me as I was skimming thro, that you were wanting to have another baby while in school. I am very, very, sorry that I got mix up.

So, on a lighter note! Yes, you CAN get thro school. We will all have "near nervous breakdowns," but we'll get thro them. I used to wonder how I would balance children, lol, but I managed to do it, and I fine job I'm doing I believe. This is something I "should have" written to you, and to other posts as well. I remember back when I had a newborn and another little one to tackle. The house was a mess, laundry piled up, low on groceries, toddler crying for milk and attention and the newborn has a tummy ache but is trying to fall asleep in my arms while I was rocking him. I only had time only to brush my teeth and change my underwear and throw in a frozen lasagna for my husband. I remember crying in that chair thinking, "I can't do this. What was I thinking trying to tackle this." It was awful to feel that way, and to wish my life was going any other way than it was. But, I had these beautiful children infront of me, that I loved, and knew if they would just disappear, I would too, b/c even tho it was harder than I had imagined, it was all I wanted. I smartened up. I TOOK CHARGE! Then, before I knew it, I had (almost :)) all the laundry done, showered, house cleaned, dinner on the stove, and kids happy! I had this euphoria that day that led me to believe I COULD DO IT! It was great. And, I got thro it. Now, I believe that very day I had in my living room, my little own euphoric moment, is going to get me thro NE. Sure, I'll have throw backs, battles and I'll cry. I still ask myself if I can really do this. But, that's when I know I need a attitude change, just like I had that day. Right now, while I'm on break, I'm taking the time to reorganize my whole house, meal plan, and changing the feng-shi in my home, lol. All just to lighten the load that is forseeking me. It takes planning. But you can do it.

Again, sorry if my stupidity w/ not properly reading your post upset you. Hopefully this helped some.:roll:roll

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Clinical Partner and CNA.

I started my pre-reqs last Aug. & my son graced us with his presence two weeks early in September. I already had a 3 yr old running around too. I was taking 3 classes and the stress was on because if we didn't have a passing grade by midterms in math than we were out of the class. Low and behold I did not pass my midterm, but I talked to my teacher and explained that I had a newborn that was not sleeping at night and that I would work harder to pass her class. I ended up with a B+!! But it was really difficult. My husband works 3rd shift and was never home, never there to help with the bottle feedings every 2 hours, diaper changes, etc. Not to mention I had a DVT due to the pregnancy, so I was giving myself shots twice a day, going to the dr to have my blood levels checked everyday, it was not easy, but somehow I made it through it. My children are almost 5 and 1 now and as crazy as it sounds I want another one (I want to try for a little girl.) But I know that it's not possible right now, so we are waiting until I graduate (which will hopefully be spring 2012.) So I think it's something that you and your husband have to consider. You will need a lot of help!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I think you can do whatever you set your mind to especially if you have such a supportive husband. Can your husband take any of his classes on-line? Can you take any of your pre-reqs online? That will limit the amount of time you both are away from the kids.

Being pregnant or having a newborn when you already have four kids at home may be a bit too much to take on while you are in nursing school. But I am sure others have done it. I have four kids myself so I know the sacrifices you have to make in order to find time to study. I don't get to spend as much time with my kids that I would like and I feel guilty that I miss out on stuff with them because I need to do school work or study. The kids just want your attention and it is a challenge to make it balance. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't.

I will tell you how it worked for my husband and his education. I was a stay at home mom before my husband began years ago going back for his Bachelor's. He worked full time and then finished up his Bachelor's going part-time. Then two and half years ago he started to work on his Master's degree while working full time. He is now only 5 classes away from his Master's degree. All this time that he was taking classes so was I. It has been a juggling act but we manage because we have a schedule for everything. We decided that my husband would not take classes this year because my last year was just going to be too intense and we just decided it would be best. I pretty much handled helping the kids with homework and assignments last yr. but I went to school 3 days a week last year. This yr. it is 4 days a week and I need the other day to study and I also work part-time as a CNA so time is limited. My husband will just finish his Master's when I am done in May. Good luck on whatever you decide.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

JBGC4 thank you so much for your response and your inspiring story about pushing through (that is exactly the kind of hope I was trying to find), and thank you everyone else for posting. I have prayed very hard and talked again to my husband and decided to do things in a very slow steady way. I will take two online classes in the fall and I will only commit to six shifts prn at the hospital where I work this fall to see if I can handle everything and still do it fairly well. If I feel I am managing that okay, then I may start trying to conceive in January and just continue with online classes until I get the easier, non-science and math prereqs done. I am trying to make peace with the fact that everything will have to be done part-time and in baby steps. I cannot go gung-ho and plunge headfirst into nursing school, it is just not reasonable in the life God has given me (which is actually a pretty fantastic life, I might add). I always appreciate the input of other women and other moms; thanks again!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

It sounds like you have a good plan in place. The only thing I would recommend as a fellow mother of four is that the semester that you have the baby don't take any classes. I had my youngest while going to school and I am so glad that I took off the semester he was born. He was 4 months old when I went back full time and I am glad I had that time with him and time to adjust. I struggled after he was first born. With 3 older kids at home it was hard getting everything done so I am glad I didn't school on top of that during the first few months. Best of luck!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Thank you so much, nurse2b2011. Can you share a little about your journey with nursing school and four kids? Have you just done things gradually and taken some online courses, have you worked part-time as well? I am just interested in hearing how people manage that have several children-thanks in advance!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion