Nursing student married with kids

NurseSpeedy, ADN, LPN, RN · May 7, 2016

Oh, wow, a 13 month old. First off, make sure hubby is supportive as this will help big time for easing the family through the process. I went back when my daughter started VPK and finished just before she's now finishing kindergarten. I was able to use her school time as my school time. I'm not sure if you work or are at home with your child but try to work in the books when you get breaks or when the baby is napping. My daughter took two hour naps at that age and that would be perfect study time for a mom with a toddler going to school.

Grocery shopping-I planned it once a week. I cooked in batches and used storage containers and vacuum bags. I cook all fresh and organic. Tended to cook for a few days at a time. This actually went very well, I just chose more simple, easy to make recipes.

Nursing school takes a lot of time studying outside of class. Try to work it around time when maybe a grandparent or daddy is spending time with the baby and after baby goes to bed. Make sure that you take some time each day to spend with your baby too, and don't forget your husband. I'm not going to lie, it's hard. Keep in mind that it's only for a couple of years and that you are doing this to make the future brighter for all of you. Best wishes.

NurseGirl525, ASN, RN · May 7, 2016

Help. Have help. Have back-ups, and back-ups for those.

TAKOO01, BSN · May 8, 2016

I started when my child was about 18 months. As stated before, supportive family and friends are important. i studied after my child went to sleep at night and also while my child was at daycare. This way I was able to spend some time with her during the afternoon/evening. There were days when she didn't see me at all, because I had class then i needed to study.

I stopped working during the second semester, so if that is financially possible for you, I would suggest that. To be honest, I stopped cooking often for the majority of the program, too. I made very simple things that could be thrown in the oven and I never cooked more than two or three times a week. Its hard, but try to read the chapters before class, try to review kaplan/saunders/lippincott questions. Review your exams with your class instructors. Get feedback from clinical instructors. Get help early on if there is something you dont understand. Study alone, study in groups, do it however it works for you.

I don't regret the time i missed with my child because i know that what i did has made my child's life better.

CSTtoRN · May 8, 2016

Congrats on getting accepted! I started in Fall of 2014 when my oldest was 2.5 and my youngest was 13 months as well and am finished and graduating in a week! My oldest is almost 4.5 and the youngest one will be 3 in July. I have also worked 36 hours a week the entire time plus call so it is definitely doable. I did a lot of freezer crockpot meals and we ate out too much to get through. You need to have good time management and organization skills to make it work. I got a lot of studying done after they went to bed at night. They also go to daycare during the week so I would study on the days I didn't have class while they were there. I work weekend nights and have a lot more down time than most so I utilized that time as much as possible. I'm also blessed with a very supportive husband because we have no family near to help. I have missed a lot of family events and have felt like I missed a lot of my kids growing up which makes me sad but it will be a good investment. Try to take some time for your family each week but it will not be as much as you'd like or normally would. Just know that if I can do it, you can too! Good luck to you!

Leeann725 · May 10, 2016

Thank you ladies, my biggest fear was that there was going to be no way I could spend time with her. Reading posts throughout this site have me scared! I started getting organized for classes already and reviewing things I think I need to remember. I'm going to start trying to get a schedule down that is easy to stay on top of this summer so that I will have some good habits!