Online BS->BSN program while taking care of baby at home - feasible?

Nursing Students Online Learning

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My wife and I are trying to figure out how to finance me going to nursing school. One idea (on top of student loans out the wazoo) is that my wife would work while I would stay home and do an online program while taking care of our kid (1-3 years, depending on when I would start schooling).

I know that it would be dependent on a lot of factors... how needy my child is, how well I can balance child card versus serious scholarship... but is it possible for someone to stay at home, do an online BSN program, and take care of a young child?

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Trauma, Ortho, Neuro, Cardiac.

Taking care of a baby is a full-time job. But there are evenings and nap times that you'll be able to study. Many people work full time jobs, have kids and go to school online and traditional, so you certainly could do it too.

Good luck.

What I like about online is the schedule is a bit more flexible. Assignments are still due by a deadline, but you're still more in control of your time.

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Specializes in ER, NICU, NSY and some other stuff.

this Ijjfgs me

thbngv ty[ing with AN 1 1 MOnth old

by my thhhhhhhhh side. :)

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Specializes in ER, NICU, NSY and some other stuff.

This was me trying to type a response with the 11 moth old in my lap. An online program while home with the kids will be tough if you are really set on the whole sleep thing. Kids not only require but demand pretty much all of your time. Do you have any sort of nursing experience? What about clinicals?

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This was me trying to type a response with the 11 moth old in my lap. An online program while home with the kids will be tough if you are really set on the whole sleep thing. Kids not only require but demand pretty much all of your time. Do you have any sort of nursing experience? What about clinicals?
I have a little EMT experience and was in med school for two years, but no nursing experience. One of the programs I'm looking at requires you to be a CNA before starting the program, so I would have some (very brief) experience if I went that route.
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I have a little EMT experience and was in med school for two years, but no nursing experience. One of the programs I'm looking at requires you to be a CNA before starting the program, so I would have some (very brief) experience if I went that route.

I don't quite understand why many people feel that online learning is difficult. The only real difference is that you read your lectures, not listen to them. You do your 'homework' at 'home'. You have to find the time to be able to do that. The online portion of your classes is relatively small. You spend most of your time typing responses to discussion questions and doing your research. Discussion questions are your assignments and the research is for your papers/presentations. You don't even lose the one on one interaction. Most people while in the classroom will allow their minds to wander. They think about the kids, work, etc.... When online, you have to force yourself to read the lecture which allows you to retain more. The discussion questions in your classroom are the interaction with other classmates. In a traditional setting, you rarely speak to others in the classroom, with online, you're forced to. I feel that if you do what's necessary, online helps you retain more and you come out knowing more.

Just my 2 cents.

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Specializes in ER, NICU, NSY and some other stuff.

I was not knocking online learning. I am all for it and have taken some online and distance self-study type classes.

What he was asking about was the feasability of getting anything doen with a toddler and preschooler in teh house. I was just mentioning how tough it is to get ANYTHING done with small children. THis is way beyond your mind wandering. I took a Statistics course and tried an online Algebra class when my 3rd daughter was 1 1/2 and just trying to get the assignments done was a nightmare.

At those ages if they are quiet you had better find them and quick because they are up to something. I am looking forward to going back to school but plan to wait until my 11 month old goes to school to preserve that last tiny shred of sanity I am jealously holding onto.

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You could pay a local high school or jr high students mimimum wage to watch the kids and entertain them in your house for about 4 hours a week so you could take your tests, catch up on your classwork and do the typing a toddler won't let you do.

You just need someone responsible enough to watch the kids since you are still there in case disaster strikes.

5 Hours are not enough study time, but it could be your computer time.

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I started my BSN online with University of Phoenix, while I had a 5 month old daughter and a 20 month old son. I also work at the hospital 3/12 hour shifts a week. I am now done (11/2005) and ended with a 3.87 GPA. Goodluck in your decision making! It is a tough call, but take advantage of nap times and bed times, it really does work!!!

:nurse:

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