Nursing Student Divorce Rate?

BeccaznRN, RN · Jul 25, 2006

I do not find this to be true in my nursing class, but there are also very few married students. Considering that the divorce rate is so high to begin with, I would think that married students would have to work even harder to maintain a relationship, even when it's already good. It will be helpful if you have your family's support to get you through the wild and crazy journey of nursing school. It's definitely stressful!

I was going through a pretty stressful divorce (not to mention a move across the country) right before I began nursing school, finalized it during the first semester. I know that's not the same situation but I made it through!

Hoping LVN2BSN · Jul 25, 2006

I think it's how you go into it and how you both handle stress. Understanding on both parts is required to make it through. The non student spouse has to understand the responsibilities and commitment that are placed on the student, and the student has to understand that giving up valuable time with your spouse and picking up extra slack can also be difficult. If there isn't support from one or both of the sides, it can be difficult for the marriage to survive.

I am one of nine students married in the class and I haven't heard of any problems six months. We were told our very first day if there is any opposition in your life in regards to nursing school, get rid of it, or this won't work out. I know 3 students that dropped, not divorced for that very reason.

I hope someone else can give you more concrete figures.

all4schwa · Jul 25, 2006

well, the true colors show. that is--how much your sig other is willing to pick up the slack when the going gets tough, and how much they are willing to contribute to you reaching your dreams.

allnurses Guide · Jul 25, 2006

It can be a very trying time for a marriage, because nursing school is indeed SOOO time consuming. Couple that with a full, or even part time job and a kid or two, and you've got a spouse who is complaining a lot that they are being put on the back burner!

The key to getting through this, or ANY other stressful time in a marriage, is good open communication, and LOTS of it. Listen to your spouse with an open mind and heart whenever they need to talk about how this is all making them feel. Have understanding, and reassure as much as possible that it's all temporary and before the two of you know it, you'll be OUT of nursing school and working a great paying, rewarding job!

(Okay, the "great paying" part is often up for LOTS of debate but... hey it's still better than most!)

mgalloLPN · Jul 25, 2006

I read this and also got a little worried. I just got married May 20, 2006 and I hope to start LPN school around January. It is only 1 1/2 years during which time I will be working full time and going to school at night. I love being married and he is willing to do whatever he can to help me. He constantly encourages me. I hope with everything that I have, that I can get through nursing school because I have heard that it is really hard.

LoriChr · Jul 25, 2006

I was married for about two years when I went to nursing school. The year I spend in LPN training was easily the most difficult time in our marriage. I was gone all the time, and when I was home I was studying. I also worked part-time while going to school. It was hard for my husband who was used to having a wife home in the evenings and free on the weekends. Things got pretty tense at times.

But our marriage prevailed, just celebrated our 16th wedding anniversary.

He has always encouraged me to go back to school some day for RN. I say, "Do you remember what it was like the first time I was in school!?" :rolleyes:

MrsMommaRN · Jul 25, 2006

im in school now. one has dropped out to get a divorce. 4 are getting married before we graduate next may.

as for myself this has been very stressful on my family and marriage. you have to be true to yourself and remember the vows you have taken before your family and god.

NurseWi_JennJenn · Jul 25, 2006

I agree it was a very stressful time for us, especially having 2 kids (one was born while I was attending college). My dh DID step up to the plate and help somewhat, but so did my inlaws and so did my parents... they were constantly helping out with the girls (taking them on the weekend sometimes so i could study and dh could do some housework/etc). I honestly don't think we would have made it through my schooling without the constant family support (and when I was going to nursing school we also had a huge house fire which displaced our family of 4 and two dogs for a year)...it has definitely brought us closer and stronger and I really believe that if we made it through my college and through the fire, we can somehow make it through everything!!!

~Jenn~:monkeydance:

nursecher · Jul 25, 2006

Yep it is stressful. I have been taking pre-req's and co-req's and start the program in January. We have 2 kids... daughter age 2, son 4 1/2. I can definitely see it getting more stressful once I go full time. I don't think the tension will come from not seeing eachother as much because we already do that, I think it will come from being on one income and having to pay for daycare :uhoh21:

We are already stressed to the max being on one income while I am in school. It is hard living paycheck to paycheck with 2 kids and a mortgage. Hey, maybe we will get along better because we will be closer to me being done, and us FINALLY being finacially comfortable. Hey, we don't wanna be rich we just want to afford the necessities without being broke! :lol2:

I think life in general can be stressful and a strong marriage can make it through anything. :)

RN and Mommy · Jul 25, 2006

i think that you both have to be focused on the ultimate goal of becoming a rn or lpn. my success with nursing school was my fiance's (we might as well be married. we have lived together for 6 years and have a 4 year old daughter, we are getting married september 9, 2006) success as well! he put in *almost* as much work as i did supporting us (i only worked part time) and picking up the slack by spending more time with our daughter entertaining her, working extra hours to pay the bills, and with the household tasks. i don't think i would have been able to do it without him. i believe our relationship is stronger for what we have done for each other. he made it possible for me to go to school and i completed one of my personal goals to make our family more successful financially!

ysara · Jul 25, 2006

well, the true colors show. that is--how much your sig other is willing to pick up the slack when the going gets tough, and how much they are willing to contribute to you reaching your dreams.

I couldn't say it better myself.