Nursing School and Fatherhood

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I was recently accepted into a nursing program that happens to be "accelerated" which starts in May 2014 and goes until August 2015. My girlfriend and I are expecting our first child in June 2014. We were not trying to conceive when we found out but we are very excited about the little bun in her oven that we created. We live together and have an excellent support system in that both of our parents are extremely excited/supportive, as well as the rest of our family and friends.

My question to everyone: Will this be "do-able"?!?!

I am no stranger to hard work as I have worked full time since leaving high school and have achieved a bachelors (full time student) while doing so. I enjoy being challenged and I also LOVE to learn. I understand that I will not be able to work while I am in the program because of the dedication it will take to become an RN and a father at the same time. I am 25, and at this point in my life I am extremely motivated to get out of the retail business and start helping/caring for people. For me, the accelerated route seems like a "no brainer" as it will be the quickest way to start my career as a nurse as well as provide for my family. I would love any and all opinions, suggestions, motivation, tips etc.. about the situation I'm in. Thank you so much!

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I just started my nursing program and while it's not accelerated I can advice you to stay ahead of the reading assignments. I just began my program so I know it'll get gradually more challenging but so far the material doesn't seem too complex, it's just a lot of it!

Since you won't be working, become very frugal with your money, this will be particularly challenging yet important since having a baby is hard on the finances.

Good luck, and remember to read, read and read.

Sent via my iPhone using allnurses.com ❤️

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Specializes in L&D, infusion, urology.

I'm about to graduate in May from my BSN program, and my son is 5. I know there are people with younger kids, including a guy who's daughter was 5 weeks old when we started (and he was working). Ultimately, YES, it is doable. Is it easy? No. Is it worth it? 100% YES. :)

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Thank you for your responses! I do know that I'm going to have to be super frugal with my finances and I will have to support myself with supplemental loans. My main concern is the workload. Although I know it is going to be hard work, I'm getting very excited, anxious, nervous, etc.. for this huge and sudden change in my life. Thanks again!

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Specializes in Emergency.

It is very doable as long as you are organized! First schedule your classes and clinicals, the rest is negotiable. Maybe you take the overnight daddy duties, wife sleeps, you study. She might enjoy being able to sleep all night with a newborn. It will take great communication between the two of you and organization. Oh! You may not get as much sleep as you're use to! LOL

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Babies require a lot of care and you won't believe how much laundry you'll do. And an accelerated nursing program will be busy. But you'll do what you have to in order to succeed.

The reality of parenting is it's exhausting for the mom (especially if she's breastfeeding) and the dad's part is more managable. Even the most hands on dad's usually don't do as much infant care as the mom.

I really appreciated that my husband did the 10pm feeding by bottle so I could sleep from about 8pm - midnight.

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txerrn6942, that's exactly what I was thinking, doing to the "daddy duties" and letting her sleep while I study in between everything.

CDEWannaBe, I'm pretty much going into this with that mentality, I'll do whatever I need to do in order succeed, as a father and a nurse.

Thanks for the tips/encouragement, it means a lot!

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