Parent of baby/nursing student

wildling · May 2, 2016

Can you start earlier? When baby is a newborn to about one year, it's actually A lot easier because they sleep a lot and I had used that time to study. You get used to a little sleep (I started after a couple of weeks when I had mine). Toddler age is really hard, I have to usually find a sitter just to study because my toddler only has one short nap a day and is up until 930 pm. I'm usually too tired to study after. I've talked to a few others with young children that felt the same way. If you can't start earlier, I would plan to stay after class to study, because you won't get that time when you get home.

augurey · May 2, 2016

I think the ease of school and the age of the baby/child really depends on the baby/child as they are all different. My 2.5 year old is considerably easy while things are so much more difficult with my 8 month old. However, when my oldest was a baby, she was so incredibly easy.

I have an almost 8 month old right now and a 2.5 year old. I'm not going to lie, it's hard. I think some of the hardest things for me to accept is not seeing my kids as much as I want to and the worry about missing out on certain things in their lives. I remind myself every day that this will be worth it in the end.

I get to spend my evenings with them, for the most part. I spend less time with them on care plan nights because they take me so long (though not every school requires care plans to be done the night before), but I've still got it down to where I can go back and forth between my care plan and kids, just not as much as I'd like. During the summer, however, I'm probably going to have to stay at school until well into the evening to get my work done as I absolutely cannot get behind in the summer.

Like you, full time, 5 semesters. I think really the biggest thing is having that support system which you already have in place. One of the things I find stressful is juggling the appointments and any illnesses. I would have a plan, a back up plan, and a back up plan for the back up. You'll want to know your class and program policy on missing days should it be necessary. Will your family be able to watch your baby if your baby is sick or has appointments (if your baby will be in daycare)?

Some classes I can only miss so many before I fail while others they don't care if you attend or not as you are responsible for the material whether you're there or not. Some allow make up exams and quizzes where as some don't. For clinical, some programs are very strict where you cannot miss a single day (no make ups). Some have enough clinical time to where you're fine if you miss a day and it's fine, some you have to make up if you miss.

It may feel hard to juggle in the beginning as you adjust to nursing school, but you eventually get into a routine. It'll still be challenging at times, but I think it becomes easier to cope with.

UAA2018bsngrad · May 2, 2016

Wildling: Unfortunately no, there is no way to start earlier. I guess I personally thought it'd be nice to have that baby time to get used to being a mom and soak up that little baby stuff before life got crazier but I definitely see your point about toddlers being harder. I'm so afraid of toddlerhood. Let me please be blessed with an easy one... :nailbiting: Lol

UAA2018bsngrad · May 2, 2016

I think the ease of school and the age of the baby/child really depends on the baby/child as they are all different. My 2.5 year old is considerably easy while things are so much more difficult with my 8 month old. However, when my oldest was a baby, she was so incredibly easy.
I have an almost 8 month old right now and a 2.5 year old. I'm not going to lie, it's hard. I think some of the hardest things for me to accept is not seeing my kids as much as I want to and the worry about missing out on certain things in their lives. I remind myself every day that this will be worth it in the end.
I get to spend my evenings with them, for the most part. I spend less time with them on care plan nights because they take me so long (though not every school requires care plans to be done the night before), but I've still got it down to where I can go back and forth between my care plan and kids, just not as much as I'd like. During the summer, however, I'm probably going to have to stay at school until well into the evening to get my work done as I absolutely cannot get behind in the summer.
Like you, full time, 5 semesters. I think really the biggest thing is having that support system which you already have in place. One of the things I find stressful is juggling the appointments and any illnesses. I would have a plan, a back up plan, and a back up plan for the back up. You'll want to know your class and program policy on missing days should it be necessary. Will your family be able to watch your baby if your baby is sick or has appointments (if your baby will be in daycare)?
Some classes I can only miss so many before I fail while others they don't care if you attend or not as you are responsible for the material whether you're there or not. Some allow make up exams and quizzes where as some don't. For clinical, some programs are very strict where you cannot miss a single day (no make ups). Some have enough clinical time to where you're fine if you miss a day and it's fine, some you have to make up if you miss.
It may feel hard to juggle in the beginning as you adjust to nursing school, but you eventually get into a routine. It'll still be challenging at times, but I think it becomes easier to cope with.

Yes I definitely will need to keep track of which classes are more lenient about missed days etc. I also got advised to let professors know beforehand, not for special treatment but just as a heads up. I know my school doesn't allow bringing a child to class (which is understandable) but I did read they have breastfeeding areas for if you are pumping or need to feed so that is encouraging that hopefully they are as mom-friendly as possible.

I also worry about not spending enough time with him. And missing out on things. But I know I want to have a job that will help give him a good life with good opportunities and for him to have a mother he can be proud of.

I am going to start using a planner for household things as well as school and hopefully get into a good habit with that and always have back up plans like you say!