Nursing student vs Parent?

Ashes172, BSN, RN · Apr 19, 2016

I started nursing school with a 2 year old, I'm graduating next month with a 4 year old and 10 month old. Nursing school is hard without kids, so with kids, yeah, it's harder. Worth it? To me I absolutely think so. It's all about planning ahead and staying organized. Doing homework while kids play and after they go to bed. Having back ups for your back ups when it comes to child care. Plan ahead. I have a very supportive family but not all the girls in my class with kids do but not one of us has dropped out. You just have to push through, it's not forever. You pretty much just have to have it in your mind that that is what you are doing and don't take no for an answer. It's all up to you if you can do this. I've seen many a parent with young children succeed in nursing school. Good luck mama

applesxoranges, BSN, RN · Apr 19, 2016

I know some of the parents would stay on campus an extra few hours so they could have alone time to study because when you're with your kids, it's really hard to study. I know a few of my friends who had a ton of kids had to drop back a few semesters. They graduated 1 year after me and we started out around the same time.

augurey · Apr 19, 2016

I have a 2.5 year old and a 6 month old.

For me, both of my kids are in daycare full time. It's hard for me to have them in there so much (but my daughter does love it, and I know my 6 month old is well taken care of and is happy most days - teething and minor health issues aside). I get as much studying and home done during the day (when I don't have class). This semester I have 2 evening classes (Monday and Tuesdays) and 2 classes during the day (Thursday and Friday). Then Wednesdays I spend the majority of my day doing my patient research and care plan for Thursday. I get as much done while they are at daycare. I still have to work on it after they are home, but I'm able to stop and help out as my husband needs it or if my daughter wants my attention so she can show me something, it's not a big deal to take a 10-20 minute break for her.

This allows me to be able to focus on what I need without stressing about getting it done and juggling the kids. In the evenings I get quality time in with them, and then I go back to studying/homework after they are in bed. On the weekends, unless I'm swamped, I usually take Saturday to spend with my husband and kids, and then Sunday is usually spent finishing up assignments.

My husband takes care of the majority of the house. I pitch in when I can. I'm able to do that more this semester than last.

Summer is going to be difficult as I have 13 credit hours in 10 weeks. During the summer I will probably stay at school on the weekdays to get things done as I can't have any distractions, but I'm hoping to be productive enough during the week that I can take time for the kids on the weekend.

My kids are my motivation. Whenever I feel run down, they give me the encouragement to keep going. I remind myself that this is temporary, they are young so shouldn't remember too much of this time if at all, and that this will be so worth it in the end.

If you're lower income, check and see if your county has daycare assistance. If you are within the income limits, apply. Right now we're getting 24 hours covered a week. That'll increase starting summer semester. Hours of coverage depend based on need / your schedule. There's a copay. Our copay is $40 / week for two kids. We pay more because we also pay privately for additional hours.

If you're above the financial requirements, check with your school and see if they have resources for you. Someone told me that some schools have a financial aid stipend for child care. Some schools may have contracted rates with a local daycare.

It's hard, but it's doable. Also put a plan in place for emergencies such as if daycare closes, your child is sick, has appointments, etc. Who is going to watch them / take them to appointments? I make sure I schedule all appointments for when I'm available as my husband can't take them because he's at a new job. I can't miss any days in the summer, so right now we're working on a plan of who is going to take them to appointments and who will watch them if they are sick. I think a lot of it has to do with being very organized and planning ahead.

Lrodrig1089 · Apr 19, 2016

Oh God!! Seems like endless sacrifice! Thanks a lot for sharing I really need this. To think that I'm not alone in this world and that everything is possible...I guess I don't have a strong mind set gotta work on that and I guess after so many years of dropping outta college its hard to believe in myself again, have faith and leave all emotions aside...how can you guys focus and deal with the fact that you're not giving your kids the attention they demand when they're little, which is what kills me the most to think that soon my newborn will have to be left in day care so early and also have issues figuring out how ill manage my time to study with a baby and a five year old, one crying and the other one jumping all over yelling and wanting to play all the time...I've tried studying for the TEAS and she's always all over me, distracting me for attention and even begging me to stop doing what im doing so I can go play with her!!! :nailbiting: drives me nutsss n makes me just want to say #@&$! This!! I'll never make it!!I guess I need to work on being more patient...how do you deal with patience anyway??! Haha. I don't know guess its hard when I have no one to rely on no family no friends no nothing..my husband works outta town n its just me myself daughter and soon to be baby boy!!! :cry: but thanksss alot your stories keep pushing me !!!