Nursing school and Family balance

HaButler · May 8, 2012

I feel the same way, I have been staying home with my 3 year old and my 4 month old, and I feel guilty like I am making the wrong choice jumping school full time right now. I just can't decide whether to jump in now and get it over with(I've been accepted for the fall semester) or to put it off a few years until my kids are in school. I just want to get it done while they are young so I can spend time with them going to extracurricular activities and really interacting with them when they are old enough to remember it. I just know these first few years are so important in thier development and how how my being gone is going to affect thier "mold" and shaping thier attitudes towards Mommy. Does anyone else have any experience with attending Nursing school with young children at home? Can it be manageable? I am also worried about the strain it will have on my relationship with my fiance too. Ideally, going back to work will reduce some of the pressure on him to bring home all the money, and in turn , give him an equal opportunity to stay home with the kids more. He and I have both been sad about his work interfering with his family time. Balancing the financial responsibilities will hopefully help balance the time we each get to spend with the kids. The great news is that I have a friend who lives a mile away who also got accepted to the same campus and program, so she iwll make a great commute/ study partner!!

maccheese · May 8, 2012

I have a two year old and am married. I pretty much did the same thing with you with my prereqs. Worked part time while knocking them out a few at a time (you really only can do it that way, because the classes are sequential.) When I started nursing school, my little one had to go to daycare. I just make sure to make the most of my day while she's in daycare, study after she goes to sleep and before she wakes up, and employ the help of my husband when I need some additional study time.

Do you all have any family that could watch your kid(s) if need be?

I have a two year old at home and a husband. I could attend an accelerated program (if accepted, I have a BA, and just need 5 pre-reqs before any program application) or a generic full time option. Accelerated would entail 21 credits the first semester, 7 the second and 11 the third. Of course, these include clinical components. Generic is a more even keel 11-12 credits for 4 semesters. How much time a week did/do you all spend in school / studying? Right now I work 6 days a week, anywhere between 50-60 hours. I can't see being away from my family more than that as it is difficult to balance work and family as it is. I will work part time and fill my pre-reqs one class at a time to ensure good grades. It'll be a statistics course, growth n development, anatomy/phys 2 with a lab, micro with a lab and chem with a lab. Math is not my thing and science, although I love it, is difficult. I made A's and B's in a couple of pre-req's I did years back, so I know it's not a lost cause. Good grades can be obtained if the proper effort is put into place. Then once I make it into a program I'll use money that I've saved up these past few years and student loans to cover living expenses/school so I can jump in full time. I'm just wondering how you all fared with balancing school and never ending study with kids and family? Long hours I can deal with, school related activities 6 days a week I can deal with. Being away from my family more than I am now would make it really difficult and possibly detrimental to my daughter (why is mommy never here?) even though there is long term gain.

newbieRN724 · May 8, 2012

I am married, and i have a now 6 month old. I am attending a five semester ADN program, and i started in 2010. I had to sit out what would have been my fourth semester to have my baby. I started back school when my son was 8 weeks old. It was definitely hard since i had to go in early for clinicals to get trained on a new computer system, and then i had second shift clinicals. My son stayed the night with my parents a couple days a week and sometimes more depending on if i had to goto school early the next day. I was definitely worried about his attachment to me and him knowning me. But every chance i got i spent with him. As far as studying, I made study guides from my notes and my husband would watch my baby while i studied for at least a hour. I would goto the library, i joined a study group and we studied for a hour and a half. I also studied early in the morning when he was sleep, any chance i could when he napped. I would also do NCLEX questions that pertain to the topic we covered in class. It was hard but i did it. My son is attached to me, he always reaches for me, and lights up when i come into the room. I study hard and it paid off because i did really well this past semester and I'm going to be graduating in December (whoop whoop!!!). also i must say i didn't work this semester and i eventually toward the end of the semester put my son in daycare on the days i had class, which really helped. He was 5 months old when i did this.

sandanrnstudent · May 8, 2012

I am 25 and single with no kids, so I don't have any real input on this topic.

HOWEVER... I want to commend you mothers that are trying to do it all. You are the superwomen of America and I couldn't be more proud and inspired by all you do!

You will make GREAT nurses!

sandanrnstudent

Mom2ballerinas · May 8, 2012

I am in nursing one, about to finish the semester in an ADN program this Friday!! I have three children ages 5, 4, and 4 months old. When I started the program in January, my youngest was only 4 weeks old. It is hard and I have contemplated quitting almost every single week. But, I made it to the end. All I have standing in my way is an exam today and one on Friday and then I will be finished with this semester. Three more to go. My dilemma is if I want to continue for next semester which starts up in the fall. Going to classes was not the problem. For me it was spending numerous hours in the lab and having early morning clinicals. It was hard. But you cna do anything you put your mind to. Good luck!

SunshineDaisy, ASN, RN · May 8, 2012

I understand what you all are saying! I have a 7 year old and 4 1/2 year old. I went back to school when the youngest was 9 months old. I have 0630 clinicals twice a week, plus classes and study time. I have an awesome hubby who understands my need to be gone most evenings to go study, plus an awesome sitter who is the best! It's hard, mommy guilt kills me most nights, but I keep reminding myself of the rewards I will get in the end. During the times I am home and not studying I make the most of my time with the kids. I do reserve one weekend day just for my kids and hubby. No studying on Sat or Sun, whichever day we choose.