Older student with a baby. Can I please hear some success stories?

Published

I'm about to be 38 with a nine month old infant. I'm married to a very supportive husband. I'm applying to an RN program and the lottery results post in 3 weeks. I know that the program is very labor intensive and I'd like to hear some stories/advice from anyone who's been successful in my situation. I'm getting a little nervous and need to hear some positive outcomes.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Rehab, Ortho-Spine, Med-Surg, & Psych.

Hello!

Congratulations on making the first step forward towards nursing school. I am very pleased to hear your husband is very supportive, because you will need it. The first two years (the associates degree in nursing) is the pretty grueling, but with good time management, a supportive environment, and the right peer support at school... you will succeed.

Nursing school will involve a lot of reading and studying. Also, clinicals take a bit of you time every week. You will feel as though not having time for your baby, your husband, and yourself... but stay focused. This is just temporary. You will need to cut back in spending as much time with your extended family. Schedule your family times when on break from one semester to another.

I went back to college at 37. Started with one class at a time and decided to go into nursing school at 40. I had to repeat a few classes after my oldest sister passed away and had to take in my two young nephews (as their father had passed 5 years earlier). Long story short, I graduated in 2013 with my ADN at 43 and continued on with my BSN (graduated in December 2015).

I have worked in a few different units of the hospital and have enjoyed each one of them. My life is back to my normal... and so will be like that for you. Just don't get pregnant again until (at least) you are about to finish your ASN.

Cheers!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Your age and your very supportive husband will work in your favor; your baby, not so much. :-) I have a supportive husband as well, and kids, and we definitely need more than just the two of us for childcare. So if you have that going for you too, then you will probably be fine. You will also find that your maturity and life experiences (including parenthood!) go a long way in nursing school. Good luck!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Thank you! We do have childcare covered which was a huge factor in my decision to go now. I have a couple of girlfriends who've been in the program I've applied to and their description of the workload has me nervous. I'm still breastfeeding so we have plenty of time to sit and read but I am a little sad to think of spending less time with her. I know this is the best decision for our future as a family but I can't help but be a tad nervous.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Thank you for your response! I love success stories because they help me to stay motivated. We have been talking about trying for one more baby and that's going to depend heavily on whether I get in next semester or if I get waitlisted. I never really wanted two kids under two years old but I waited so long that I may have painted myself into that corner! I'm not sure I could succeed in school with a newborn so I'm trying to be realistic about that. My baby still nurses so we have plenty of time to sit and read but I do hate the idea of spending less time with her :(

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion