Nursing Students with Kids

RunBabyRN · May 8, 2014

Congratulations on your acceptance!!

It's definitely tough with kids, and it never feels like you're spending enough time with them. You'll find what works for you.

I am graduating Saturday, and am looking forward to having more time. I feel like the "every other weekend" parent that tries to fit in all the fun stuff when we're together! I take my son to do the things that he and I enjoy that my husband does not (and my hubby can enjoy a break), and we'll go to the beach or go hiking or I'll ask him what he wants to do. I put him to bed every night that I can and get him ready in the morning when I can. He went to the preschool on campus, so we were able to spend our commute time together then as well. Is it ever enough? No. But you do the best you can, and you remind yourself WHY you are doing this. Try to take vacations during breaks, and go do fun things on weekends with lighter homework/study loads.

I have a job offer waiting for when I get licensed, and I'm already planning out my life for when that happens. The nice thing with work versus school is that when you come home, you're DONE. You're HOME. When you come home from school or clinicals, you have papers to write and chapters to read and write ups to do on your patients. It also makes a difference what your work schedule is, what your commute looks like, etc.

Know that EVERYONE is anxious when starting nursing school... and through nursing school. You're not the only one! But you'll find a way to make it work for you and your family. :) Good luck!!

mrsboots87 · May 8, 2014

Congrats on your acceptance! I have a 4 and 1 year olds. It's hectic but definitely doable. It helps that I don't work. I just put one day aside every week (usually Sunday) that I dedicated to family. Studying is important and needs to be a priority, but not to the detriment of your family. Your kids will survive if you have to hide from them during the week if they know that there will be a fr sure day dedicated to them. My seat knows the difference and ask if it's a school day or a play dy and will leave me alone if I say school. Then I. "Play" day she picks what we do all day. You need to plan your weeks out. I use a cheap walmart planner. I write in all school days and clinical times. Then I fill I. What needs to get done each day and assign general times. I also schedule breaks into study time as well. I gt a B (we have one large credit hour nursin course each block that encompasses multiple subjects). If I had dedicated more time (aka pushed my family aside) I could have easily gotten an A. I just made it work and settled for the B. If you manage your time well, you can totally be a good student and a fun mom. There are other parents in my class who also work and still make time for their kids as well. GL

Mccamach · May 19, 2014

Thank you for sharing your experiences. It really helps to know that others have gone what I am going through. I will enjoy the summer and make it memorable for her! Thank you for the tips. I will surely have a planner to have my time scheduled and having a play day is also a great idea.

OKNurse2be · May 19, 2014

Congrats on your acceptance!

I just graduated and I have 3 children ages 8 and under. It is tough to be a nursing student and be a mom (or a dad) at the same time. I also worked per diem as well. You learn to prioritize and delegate your time so that you are able to study and spend time with your kids, keep up the house etc. Your calendar/planner becomes your lifeline. I was fortunate to have a great support system in my mom who would watch my kids whenever it was needed so that I could study. Most of my pre-lecture reading I did after the kids were in bed at night. On the days I didn't have class and my older two were in school I spent the morning and part of the afternoon studying, until they came home from school, then I spent time with them until they went to bed. House chores got done in between... study for 45 minutes, spend 15-20 minutes loading the dishwasher. Obviously, before exams I spent more time studying. You will come up with a system that works for you, and be prepared to be flexible and having to make some sacrifices. Nursing school is hard, but it's entirely worth it.