Opinions Please!!

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I have been trying to get in to my nursing school for three years. I go accepted end of last year and started pre-reqs in January. I'm supposed to start nursing in August. I found out I was (unexpectedly) pregnant a few weeks ago. I am due late October which will be right in the middle of the first semester. My advisor is telling me I can either sit out a year or have the baby and come right back (no more than a week). This will be my first baby. I really don't want to sit out a whole year. I've already met people and became friends with other students and really want to stay with them for the next two years. I know it's a risk to commit to only taking a week off. What if there is complications? C-Section? Most people are telling me I need to take a year off and be here for my baby. I understand that. But, if I want to try, is it possible? I know it will be hard having a newborn. No sleep. I get that. But it's possible right? I have sisters who are willing to watch it. Any opinions and/or experience would be great.

I think it depends on how supportive the father is and your family? If they are willing to step in so you can be in class then I say go for it.

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She was asking for advice not to be bashed for using the term "it". Yes I understand that the term "it" refers to an object , however I don't think she meant to offend anyone by using the word, to be honest I had to go back and read the post again to see how and when "it" was used, and earlier in the post she referred to the embryo or fetus as a newborn....I have several classmates who have delivered over the winter break, as I stated in post, my fellow classmate delivered on Thursday and returned to class on Monday and maintained one of the highest GPA's in the whole class and still is! It a decision she has to make and ask herself do I have a good support system? Will I have a reliable daycare? Will I be able to dedicate my time the program as well as being able to handle mother hood? Will I be able to divide my time? Its a hard decision to make but one that needs careful consideration. This is a sensitive subject in my opinion and if you can't word your advice without being nasty then don't say it at all! If you don't think its a good idea then simply state why without being mean!!!!! :heartbeat

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Specializes in Dialysis.

I went to nursing school full time, with a newborn and a one year old toddler, out of state away from every friend and family member I knew. My boyfriend worked nights so that I could go to school during the day so I had to study and take care of the little ones pretty much on my own. It was not easy in the least bit but I worked my butt off and was very determined to get it done. My kids were my motivating force for getting it done and I don't have an ounce of shame or regret about doing it that way. You don't have to stay at home with your kids 24 hours a day 7 days a week to be a good parent at any stage in their life. Only you can make the decision, but if there was any advice to be given it would simply be to make the decision that you can live with.

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Whoa! Slow down, Ms. Patty. It's not meant to be mean. Remember tone doesn't always come through on a post. This is her first child and she's calling the baby "it". She just found out and didn't expect be pregnant. All of those things combined = this isn't real yet. It's not surprising to think a baby won't slow you down right now. Of course, it can be done for some people, but it's not the norm and it will not be easy. It's hard right now when you have your heart set on school, but school isn't going anywhere. It's best to make an educated decision and really think about how a newborn will impact nursing school. A week off just isn't realistic. She asked for opinions and while it would be nice to say,"you'll do fine!", it's just not the case. I've had three kids and know how tough newborns can be. Even with a support system to watch the baby, she will still have to study and function on almost no sleep. If she continues, most likely she will drop out or be extremely stressed out.

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Specializes in LTC and School Health.

All the advice here is great, but you need to do what is best for you and your family. It will work out either way. I know many students that had babies mid semester and walked across the stage at pinning. Good luck.

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Considering you are referring to the baby as "it", I'm gathering you don't understand the gravity of the situation or what it's like to be a mom. I would sit out a year.

How catty. Really?

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I also know how it is to have infants I have 3 kids and still manage to work part time, take my son to football practice 4 nights out of the week, my oldest is getting ready to graduate highschool and my youngest is in dance, and I still manage to maintain a B average, so yes every person has their own obstacles. If you did not mean it in a sarcastic or hurtful way then I was wrong, however, it sounded pretty sarcastic to me, she has to make this decision on her own, she is simply looking for some insight, and if she does do it and has to withdraw, most instructors take the situation into account and would let her repeat, its not up to what WE think its about HER decision and whats best for her family.

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Specializes in Neuroscience/Brain and Stroke.

Yes it can be done! You are going to miss precious time with that baby and you are probably going to feel awful for it. But depending on your situation, you need to weigh out the pro's and con's. There is a girl in my class who is busting her butt and is doing great! She missed one class, had a C-section and was back the next week, no problem! Her husband is supportive (that's a huge MUST, or at least supportive family members), but they don't have much money and her drive is to provide the life for her child that she didn't get while she was a child. Her degree is what is going to pay for that child's clothes, formula, diapers, school, college, and everything in between. In her situation I applaud her, but it all depends on yours.

Good luck to you!

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If you want to try it, go ahead. I think (no offense) that too many people assume that EVERYONE wants to be a SAHM. I know for me and for several other people I know, I'd go bat-s*** nuts if I had to stay home with my kid 24/7, wee little baby or no. Especially wee-little-baby that takes up so much of your time. Everyone seems to assume that all women should stay home with their children and take care of them and some women just aren't built to be like that.

I'm a SAHM, well, I actually WAHM, but I'm home with my kids 24/7. I can absolutely promise you that I am NOT built for this. This wasn't my choice, its the result of our circumstances. I struggle every day because my kids do drive me crazy, and there are days when I recognize that I'll probably be a better mom to them when I'm not with them all the time. I love them more than anything, but being with your kids 24/7 can absolutely make you crazy!

That said, I still wouldn't recommend OP starting school this fall.

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Specializes in Psych ICU, addictions.

As someone who has had a baby...you will most likely need more than a week before you feel up to returning. You will also have no sleep for several weeks since as mentioned before, newborns eat q3-4h around-the-clock. And while your sisters are all full of promises of help right now, you may find that their enthusiasm may wane once they see how much work is involved or when their sleep is disrupted. Yes, it's great they want to help...but it probably won't be as much help as you think, so just be prepared. Plus you may find that after having the baby you may not want to return to class right away.

On the other hand, for the first few months, the kid is going to do little more than eat, cry, poop and sleep (at least mine did), so this could be a good time for you to work on school. It can be done, but it will involve a lot of work and sacrifice. And it is OK if you are not around the kid 24-7. It does not mean you are a bad mother if you choose to go back to school right away. The kid will be fine as long as he/she is in safe and caring hands when not with you.

Given that you only have a week's downtime between birth and coming back--and that's assuming there are no complications of any form--I'd opt to wait the year out and enjoy the time with the little one. But the decision is yours. Best of luck whatever you decide.

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Speaking as a mother of three all being c-sections there is no way you can return to school or work one week after a c-section. Your not even supposed to drive for two weeks, you need time to heal at least. Since there is no way of predicting if you will need one or not I would wait, you will be glad you did! ;)

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Specializes in L&D.

I would not recommend it. I did have children while in school, but NOT nursing school! Children are HARD, and you will never get this time back. The first year is so important, it can set the tone for your relationship with your child. I would not jeapordize that.

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