I am starting a Fast Track RN program in January and am getting REALLY nervous! I got out of the military (Active Duty) when I had my first baby 19 months ago and went back to school to complete pre-req's when she was 3 months old. I just had my second baby 4 weeks ago and have my A&P II final next week. I am soooo stressed! I stay at home with the girls all day but seem to get less studying done than I did when I worked full time! Any other mommies out there making it through this crazy program with babies? If so, please dish how you are doing it!!! How are you keeping a clean house, happy husband, and heatlhy children all while studying like a madwoman??? :typing Did I even mention the lack of sleep? :smilecoffeecup: HELP!!!
c_white1 78 Posts Dec 5, 2008 Holy moly! You had a baby 4 weeks ago and you're getting ready for an A+P final??! Wow. I wish I had some advice for you -- I'm afraid I don't; I decided I needed to wait until my youngest was in kindergarten -- in the meantime, you've got my admiration!
crok9014 33 Posts Dec 5, 2008 Thanks! My husband is really supportive which is nice but he works from 2pm-10pm with a 1 1/2 hour commute 6 days a week... needless to say I have very little un-interrupted study time but I'm managing! I had all A's and B's before baby #2 came along but fear this is going to be my first C (or D!!!)... somebody told me that C stands for "continue" so that's what I'm shooting for! Good luck to you when you start... maybe I'll have some advice to pass by then!
BellasMommyOBRN 400 Posts Specializes in Maternity. Dec 5, 2008 i have a 18 month old (not in nursing program yet) and school is a challange, no doubt about that!! god bless em' tho! :)
savandjaxmom 1 Post Dec 5, 2008 Your house WON'T be clean, the laundry WILL pile up, but I have learned the hard way that stressing out over it does no good. I have a 4 year old and a 2 year old, and it breaks my heart every day that I am away from them since I have been at home since I found out I was pregnant with my first. But, my husband is great and takes care of the kids while I'm at school... even does the dishes! Take it a day at a time, schedule a chore per day, and don't think that just because the nursing program wants you to dedicate your life to them you have to. You'll learn how to juggle it all once you start the program. Good luck!
I see you RN 30 Posts Dec 5, 2008 Unfortunately, I couldn't do it without the daycare. Who's going to be watching them while you're in class? Is there any way they could start now so you could get some study time?
Aneroo, LPN 1 Article; 1,518 Posts Specializes in Cath Lab, OR, CPHN/SN, ER. Dec 5, 2008 I don't know, but wanted to let you know you're not alone.I'm taking a full course starting in January, work full time, and have a daughter that will turn three in little over a month, and a husband.
luvmyguys 91 Posts Dec 5, 2008 I graduate this june and I have a 4 year old and a two year old. I can tell you that it has been rough! I am surprised that my hair hasn't fallen out, (well, yet:chuckle)!But, I just took my last med/surg final on wednesday and passed!! And I have literally spent the past 2 days doing the mound of laundry that has swallowed my hallway, I found my kitchen counters, and I have a lot more to go. But, thats life.You just have to figure out what's best for you. I had a hard time at first, trying to figure out when I could study. By the end of the day, I was exhausted and found myself reading but not absorbing anything-does that make sense?I had to adjust my schedule to study-for me, I study in the mornings with some coffee, I have a 'fresh mind' and I really get a lot out of it even if its just an hour.Do you have anyone that could take your babies for a few hours a week without spending $$? For us, we could barely afford childcare for me to go to school, plus gas, etc. So, my MIL would take ours on tuesdays for 2 hours. I love it. All I can say, is you can do it!!! And as my motto goes "don't worry, there's just a new mess tomorrow!" Go luck to you!!
FireStarterRN, BSN, RN 3,823 Posts Specializes in LTC, Med/Surg, Peds, ICU, Tele. Has 15 years experience. Dec 5, 2008 Maybe you can hire a neighborhood girl to be a mother's helper for a couple of hours a day?
chuckz, BSN, RN 165 Posts Specializes in CVICU/ER. Has 13 years experience. Dec 5, 2008 I have a 3 year old and am finishing my first term this next week. I couldn't do it without the support of my wife, a cousin that watches my son while we both work and a supportive mother in law. It takes a whole family commitment to get through. I am grateful because without them, I would still be working on the assembly line. Good luck. You can do it.
ccstudent 40 Posts Dec 6, 2008 I graduate from RN nursing school on Dec. 19th, I have a step daughter who is 16 and a 5 year old who was born an hour after my organic chemistry final, and I can't believe that I am almost at the finish line. My advice is that you 1) Let the house be the first to go. Its better to spend time with family then have a spotless house.2)spend 30 min each day on your childs level, and play with them, It helps me focus on whats important( and I think tinker toys are therapuetic)3) find a way to destress and be able to do that anytime you need to.4) Have sex with your husband everyday, worked for me :) 5) Be happy with a B and spend the extra "A" time with familySo thats what I did, can't say that they worked all the time, or that they work at all, but I am surviving. Nursing school. was a wonderful, difficult, enriching and life changing time in my life. But it was not at all easy. but it can be done and you will do great.
back2thebooks 266 Posts Dec 6, 2008 I have a 21 month old little boy and another boy who just turned 4 in October and my husband travels for work. :stone I'm taking 2009 to finish the 4 pre-reqs that I didn't complete with my prior B.S.---so 2009 should be relatively easy. It's 2010-2012 that will be challenging with clinicals, more classes, etc...If I had to give advice on getting work done with small children in the house, it would be---be realistic. Most of your work will happen once the kids are in bed at night. Get a good EARLY bedtime routine established and then hit the books. Also, early, early mornings (think 4 a.m.) are prime-time for work because it's peaceful. You'll be tired---so nap when they nap if you can and ask your husband for help!!!ETA: A good Mother's Helper is worth his/her weight in gold! That's who is keeping my boys while I'm in school this year.
