NVCC, pregnancy and clinicals

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My husband and I want to try to have our second child during the summer between first and second year. I have a few questions for the NVCC students. Were any of you pregnant during school or know anybody who was? Is the school considerate to the concerns and needs of the pregnant student? Was it difficult? Do they ask you to take time off from the program? Do you regret getting pregnant during school, would you have waited knowing what you know now?

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I'm not in the nursing program, I think we're both applying for the fall. But I did have my son while in school and it was hard, really hard. I was stressed and ended up on bed rest, and had to finish up the fall semester during the spring on top of my 21 credit course load. I didn't feel stressed because as a college student I got used to the stress of classes. But it did catch up to me. I can't imagine being pregnant, and juggling nursing school...which is a lot but it can be done!

My fiancé thinks it wasn't that bad but he was working on his PhD, and was at the library most of the time. He's in the same boat as you and wants another one, and on top of that we're planning our wedding. My uterus is on lock down until I'm an RN!

Best of luck to you!

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I have seen a few gals that were with child. 1 gave birth shortly after the second semester, like less than a week!! I'm sure the school can be a bit flexible, but don't overly so. One can only miss so many lectures, and clinicals! I know if ya miss one clinical, you have to make that up by taking a "clinical module" which can only be accessed at the MEC computer room (by the library)-(One can print it out and take it home) It takes awhile to do so I am told! One has to have soo much lecture/clinical time to complete the program! I personally, would not want to take on that kind of burden, luckily, I'm a guy, and me thinks i won't have that problem,lol.

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Specializes in Neurosurgical ICU.

I am going into my 4th semester of nursing school at NVCC. I haven't been pregnant while in the program, but I have been pregnant twice in other times, and I would do just about everything I could to avoid getting pregnant during nursing school. The amount of stress you experience as a nursing student would make pregnancy miserable. What if you have to go to clinical and change an adult diaper while you have morning sickness? And just the fatigue.

Anyway, those are my own thoughts for my situation, but everyone's different and has different things they can handle.

I knew someone who gave birth mid-clinical and she said people were not in the least accomodating to her.

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Well, all things considered, I wouldn't get pregnant during nursing school. It's very difficult to plan certain aspects - like someone else mentioned, morning sickness - you can get that to where it's completely debilitating - my sister had that (hyperemia) and was on bed rest & IV fluids. You could also be put on bed rest for many other reasons, and you could delivery early, which would interfere with your school.

But that's just my opinion. Best of luck with your decision!

Kelly

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I am a first year student and we do have a few pregnant ladies. I have no idea how they find energy to keep up with school work load. I think after your first semester in nursing school it will be easier for you to deside if you can do it or not. Best wishes!

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Well, we kind of already have our mind made up. The thing is if we don't get pregnant during a very specific time frame we will put things off until a better time. I don't work so I certainly have time. Besides I would rather be going to school with a new baby like I have done before than starting a new job with a new baby. What do the NVCC students wear? The school uniform doesn't have a maternity version, I checked :) There are many success stories here that have made me feel better about my choice. And worst case scenario if I had to take a year off, oh well.

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the pants,top are fairly stretchy. Just keep in mind, one can only miss soo many clinicals. Nursing school is stressful, but ya gotta do what ya gotta do!!

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I pulled 12 hour night shifts driving a snow plow on the flight line in South Korea for my entire first trimester (the time when people say they are the most tired). My entire pregnancy was a breeze and it's a risk I am willing to take. I know everybody says that every pregnancy is different but, like I said it is a risk I am willing to take.

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Your in control of your own body and actions,lol You have completed the research and know what your getting into, so you have made an informed decision. Both my sisters are RN's and this Fall gave birth. One is a diabetes coordinator, so no real work issues there, but the other is an ICU nurse, and she had the constant worry of catching something, or getting needle stick, ya know somethign that could hard the baby. So there is always concern. Best of luck

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Nursing school is like a "brain boot camp." :bugeyes: I would rather drive a snow plow at night :chuckle if it was an option.

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I am pregnant in the NVCC program but we don't start clinicals til this june 09 and our son is due in April 09. I also prefer to be in school rather than working while pregnant and really wanna be done have kids before I start seriously working and ABSOLUTELY before I start grad school in 2012 or 2013 so we'll be going back to back on the next one or two babies.

Here's what I'd recommend: take every course in the program that you can before you get pregnant so that when you are pregnant your load will be lighter. Last semester, I took 12 credits and this semester I'm taking my last academic courses in the program (9 credits) so when clinicals start, that's all I will have to focus on in school (and only 1 or 2 days a week away from the baby). That has been a big help to me. I think you have the right idea shooting for the summer semester when you're off from school. It'll get hectic sometimes, so plan as far ahead as you can, include contingencies, develop coping strategies for stress and you'll be fine. Honestly depending upon what your pregnancies are like, you may even want to line up a therapist now and/or a baby sitter (for your current child) for when you need a break at home, just in case.

On another note: Yes, nursing school can be challenging at times, but as long as you work hard, stay on top of things and stay organized, you'll be fine. It's REALLY not that bad. I guess I've been in academia for a while, but compared to other things I've studied, while it's not exactly a breeze, it's totally manageable.

Be proactive. Don't expect your professors to cater to you in the academic sense (heck, unfortunately thus far I can say don't even expect them to be good), be responsible for your education and your advancement and finally make just in case arrangements with your profs for the end of the semester just in case the baby is early.

Good luck! PM me if you need support while you're pregnant; I love babies, but HATE being pregnant! Which is why I'd like to pop 'em all out and be done with being pregnant! We're shooting to pop our next one out at the end of Summer semester 2010. We've gotten lucky so far; all our babies (2nd one coming end of this April/beginning of May) have been due/born at the end of semester. It's a "strategy" that works for us :-)

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