Nursing School and Young Children

[He.He]

Hi all-

I am planning on starting nursing school next fall. I am finishing up all my pre-reqs now and will finish this fall. I have read a lot of posts on here about how difficult that first year of nursing school is and it has me a little nervous. I am an excellent student and pride myself on my organizational skills, but when I start school next fall, I will have a 2 1/2 year old and a 4 month old. I am lucky in that I have an amazing support system with my husband, mother, and mother-in-law, so I am not worried about that aspect. I am also lucky in that I won't have to work while I am in nursing school, so that helps.

I went back to school last year when my daughter was 6 months old and finished my pre-reqs, while working a full-time job. I worked 55 hours per week, but was lucky enough to work from home. Still, that meant no studying or homework during the day, only at night after I put her to bed. So, I am use to staying up late and getting up really early.

I would love to know how other mothers with young children made it through nursing school. I realize that there won't be as much time as I would like with my family, but some of these posts make it sound as if I will never see them and I just have trouble believing that. . .but then again, I've never been there. Also, how did you make it work with pumping/breastfeeding while you were in school?!?

[KCRustin]

I'm in your shoes! I have a 2 1/2 year old and a 1 year old and I am starting my nursing program in a month. Thankfully I don't have to pump at school but I have needed to in the past. My school provides a room with a fridge for nursing moms, ask your adviser about it. Most faculty wont mind if you use their fridge to store your milk but ask ahead of time.

I have my boys in daycare full days, even when I don't have class, just to be able to study. I also might do a babysitting swap if I need it. I got help studying for my A&P classes to help with my technique. I have a BS in Business Administration and it's totally different studying for sciences.

Good luck!

[my2girlskk.]

Hi, i am starting nursing school this fall with a daughter who turned 4 last week and a daughter who will be 2 in sept. I also work 20 hrs a week, and must continue doing so for insurance for my family. My advice is to get your kids on a good schedule with an early bedtime. Both of my kids are asleep by 730 pm and then I study for how ever long I need to every night, but usually only until 11 or 12.

I've never pumped at school bc I lived close enough I could come home and nurse the baby, but I had to pump at work while I was working full time. You need a double electric pump bc they are such time savers! I used a medela and I had pumping down to 10 minutes and that included set up and clean up with extracting 6 oz at least. Start pumping as soon as possible after the baby is born to start a decent stash of milk. I always nursed on one side and pump on the other to get a large supply for my return to work. If there is no place to store your milk at school, get a couple of coolers with reusuable ice blocks for the car.

Again, I have never studied while my girls are awake. I've found that I can get alot done with 4 hrs a night and I usually study 5-6 nights per week. I don't feel like im missing out on time with my family because of my time managment. I also have a supportive husband and family, and it really makes things nice and less stressful. Good luck, you can do it!