Nursing school with small children?

Long Term Care Columnist / Guide · Nov 11, 2006

It can be done..........my own kids were 10, 7, 4, and 18 months when I started college.

It wasn't easy, of course; even though I had plenty of help from my husband and sister, I still had to give up what was then a very active social life, resign from the community-service committees I was serving on, and put my nose to the grindstone for four solid years. To say the least, supportive family and/or friends are a MUST!

You also have to be prepared to take time just for yourself. Being a full-time student and a mom is tough, and you'll last longer---and do better---if you take a few hours each week to do something that's only for you, whether it be a massage, an afternoon out with 'the girls', a five-mile run, or whatever refreshes and energizes you. I say this because I didn't do it, and by the time I finished nursing school I was burned-out and exhausted; as a result, I didn't choose my first job well, and I lived to regret it.

Good luck to you. I'm sure you'll get lots of good advice here.

Rosa2Little · Nov 12, 2006

Great advice from Marla. All moms need to take that advice! My kids are 18, 16 (not so little), and 4. Yes, it's possible. Study, study, study, and then head to the playground and relax!

jov · Nov 12, 2006

I have a 6 month old and a 4year old.

be sure to watch for those times when you can say Yes instead of sorry, mommy can't or you will pack mommy-guilt into your suitcase. For example, one night a week, I snuggle with my daughter in her bed and we fall asleep together. Sure, I wake up at midnight with a stiff neck and go off to my own bed but it's a special time we can both count on.

merrick · Nov 12, 2006

be sure to watch for those times when you can say Yes instead of sorry, mommy can't or you will pack mommy-guilt into your suitcase. For example, one night a week, I snuggle with my daughter in her bed and we fall asleep together. Sure, I wake up at midnight with a stiff neck and go off to my own bed but it's a special time we can both count on.

Yeah, the mommy guilt is what I'm worried about. I have always been home with my babies for the most part, school has been part time. So I'm worried about being able to have enough time for them when I'm in a full time program like this. I'm not sure if I'm going to be ready next Fall or not. I may have to delay a semester or two. I guess I'll see how things go.

As for your example jov, my babies sleep with me all night every night as it is, lol! I get what you're saying though.

I have a knitting group I go to one night a week. Hopefully I'll be able to keep that up and that will help me keep my sanity!

partyof5 · Nov 12, 2006

I am currently in nursing school with a 13 year old and twins that will be 8 in January. It is tough, but can be done. I am at school in the accelerated program and gone almost every night of the week with kids activities. I am still able to manage school. I am lucky because I have alot of outside support. People need that to survive the program. good luck

partyof5

hopefully BSN dec 07

Laught3r · Nov 12, 2006

I started nursing school when my youngest of three was three months old. I had a fifteen month old and a seven year old. My advice to you is:

1.Try to stay on top of your homework. When you get behind you get stressed and you will snap at the children for being children.

2. Remember they are children and yes they will bother your stuff.

3. Double save all of your homework.

4. Find a special place to keep "Mommy's school work" that is out of reach. ( I kept mine in a locked cabinet)

5. Whenever possible involve your children. I wrote on my children with highlighters to remember where I should ausculate, bones nerves etc.. Checked thier reflexes. Checked for swollen lymph nodes. They thought it was very fun. I even took them to lab a few times to let other students assess them and to give my children and I some much needed bonding time.

6. During free time make some meals ahead and freeze them.

7. Take family naps at odd times. I would come in on Fridays give my children a little snack. We would all climb in the same bed and take a nap. It felt so good to have them close to me and to get some sleep. Remember to set the clock for no more than three hours. Then you can enjoy the rest of the night.

8. Get a laptop if you do not have one, this way you can do homework if you have free time during the school day. And you can do homework at the park.

9. Do not feel guilty if you have to get a babysitter to watch your children for an entire night if you have a big homework project due.

10. Remeber quality time is just as important, if not more than quantity.

11. Remember it is not easy and do not expect that it will be. It is Ok to have good cry. You can do this and it will be so worth it on the other end.

Angelsamongus · Nov 13, 2006

Im currently a first semester NS and I have four children ages 11, 10, 7, and five. The most difficult thing for me is the guilt. I get some help from my parents but my children keep telling me they miss me and for the first time I am going to have to miss one of my children's thanksgiving program (my youngest who is in kindergarden). It breaks my heart and I try to spend as much time as possible with them. I just keep telling myself that it will be worth it once I am done and my children will be able to reap the rewards of this accomplishment too. It is doable, but if you have the opportunity to wait you might want to consider it. On the other hand, the sooner you get through with school the sooner you will have more time with the kids and also accomplish your goal. I know that if I just kept waiting until the perfect time I would be a grandmother going to school and so I am doing it now. Good luck in what ever decision you make.

Angela

marilynmom, LPN, NP · Nov 13, 2006

My children are 8 and 5 years old, I also homeschool them. It can be done, a lot of my classmates have children and full time jobs and are doing just fine!

royr · Nov 13, 2006

Yes - I think can be done successfully. I am almost there now - just a few more classes. I moved almost 900 miles to attend the only nursing school that would accept me - so I have no family or freinds around to help with my disabled wife and my little daughter. Now I am half way thru my senior year working toward my BS major in Nursing. It has been hard at times - who am I kidding - without any living family and no time to develop new freindships it has been hard ALL the time - but what can you do - I just can't wait to be able to get to work in my new Nursing career so I can pay off all the loans. Once we are not flat broke and can afford to socialize who knows - maybe then I can make some freinds again.

cherokeesummer · Nov 14, 2006

Hi, I have a 1 year old son and am in nursing school. I did take the semester off that I was pregnant b/c as a diabetic I am a high risk ob patient so I wanted to take it easy. After I had my son I went back to school and did fine. I do find it much easier to stop studying now LOL b/c I'd rather spend time with him. So to be honest I do most of my studying during his naptimes or after he is in bed. I just don't want to spend the time while he is awake studying b/c I'd rather be spending it with him LOL!

Of course he is my first child so he is very much the center of my attention so that is another thing. I know that I could devote more time to study but I choose to balance it out! :):)

It's not always easy but I try to think of it as helping our future!

RN1263 · Nov 14, 2006

would i have done it when my son was little.....NO WAY! but, he was very demanding and got into everything. plus, i don't have endless, boundless energy & it probably would've killed me! i do know one lady in my program now who has two small kids (so it can be done), but i wouldn't want to be her.