Pre-Nursing Problems- Baby or no baby?

PurpleLover · Nov 9, 2013

Today at nursing school orientation, they stressed not to get pregnant! It would put you behind and etc. It is your life ultimately, but I would advise against it. You may get in soon, then you are pregnant and in school which I hear is hell.

I am sure it will be more enjoyable to be pregnant after school is over. You an get your license, then take some time off to enjoy your pregnancy.

mama.RN · Nov 9, 2013

You can do both. As you said, there is no guarantee you will have a choice if you wait until after nursing school. So, unless you are certain you will be ok with your family as is, you really should think about #2 now. I had a little one when I started nursing school, it was fine. There was one woman who had a baby during our second year and only stayed out a few days and came back without skipping a beat. If you are determined, you can have it all. It just takes planning and effort. Good luck with your decision.

Dranger · Nov 9, 2013

They told us not to get pregnant or married while in nursing school at the orientation.

applesxoranges, BSN, RN · Nov 9, 2013

Given your age, I would consider doing both. However, get as many people as you can and be prepared to shell out for a babysitter. See if you could bribe the 10 year old to babysit with some financial incentive. It's not impossible. Peopel do med school and residency while pregnant and raising children. However, attempt to have plan A, B, C, D, and E in place of a sick child the day of clinicals. Schools only usually let you miss 1 clinical and even then you make it up. If you miss 2, you fail or are dropped from the class and it's usually a failure. I've had a classmate whose brother died and they failed her for missing two clinicals.

canigraduate · Nov 10, 2013

Hmmm... I think you really need to figure out what you want and have a realistic discussion.

Sit down with your baby daddy and go over what will be necessary for you to have the baby now versus later. He will have to help out A LOT. Better make sure that is OK with him. As in, he will probably have to take over running the family (assuming you have the normal dynamic where you do most of the work).

You will be too busy taking care of yourself and doing the work for nursing school to take care of your home and your 10-year old the way you currently do. Say, about 80% less. Make sure he is OK doing the laundry, helping with homework, taking care of meals, cleaning, etc. Make sure YOU are OK with the way he does things.

Also, be aware that there are no excuses for missing clinicals. You miss a certain number, and you are OUT. No recourse, no doctor's notes. Depending on your program, you may be able to repeat the semester. Make sure he is OK with taking over sick child care.

Once you go over all of this, then you can decide if it is worth it for you to go to nursing school pregnant. If not, and I were you, I would go ahead and get pregnant now then go to NS after the baby is born and in daycare.

Emunah · Nov 10, 2013

I need advice... Next semester will be my last semester of prerequisites for the the ADN Nursing program. I will be applying March 2014 and have a good chance of getting accepted for Fall 2014. I had always thought we would try for Baby # 2 while waiting to get into a Nursing School. I thought it may take 2-3 years to get accepted and had planned on having my second child now rather than later but now that I may get into nursing school earlier than planned I am having second thoughts... Many current nursing students have told me to wait. They say that nursing school will be extremely demanding on my time and it is very hard to have a young child to care for. The problem is that I am 33 right now and my son is going to be 10 soon. I had put off having #2 to finish my prerequisites. If I do wait until after school, I will be 36 and my son will be 13. I also am risking gettting close to the dreaded 37 where women tend to have more problems with pregnancy and birth defects. If we do decide to have one before- right now would be the time to get pregnant, but the thought of having a child that I cannot spend as much time with-kills me! I just don't know what to do... Thank you for any advice in advance! :)[/quote']
I think it would be harder to have a child after nursing school. Why? Because you are going to be looking for a job and I would want to show my employer that I am a responsible and committed worker so I wouldn't want to get pregnant for at least a year of working.

ShelbyaStar · Nov 11, 2013

This is on my mind too. I am finishing up my prereqs this term, getting married in June, and (hopefully) get into NS the following spring. I'm torn because I want kids very badly. We will see. I currently have 2 years left on an implant. Maybe we will enjoy married life for a year or so and then try to conceive in such a way that baby would be born during the summer. If it works it works and if it doesn't it doesn't.

I know it would be really hard but having a kid while job searching or working isn't a whole lot better. I have a friend that got pregnant during her ADN program. She dropped out for a semester, then finished and is now working on her BSN. It can be done. Personally I am working on my BSN and my load isn't all that heavy since I have a previous BS.

I probably won't do it, but then there is also a chance of my fiance's parents moving up here. In that case I know they'd help us a lot and would be more inclined.

In the meantime, here's an article that shows the idea that women are suddenly doomed to infertility and DS in their late 30s is pretty bunk to make you feel better: How Long Can You Wait to Have a Baby? - Jean Twenge - The Atlantic

Est1983 · Nov 12, 2013

Im in the same position...I am 30 and trying to get into April 2014 Nursing program. But if I dont get in, then we're thinking of having our baby #1, wait a couple years, then go back for school by the time I am 33. I figured, I cant stop myself from getting older, and the older I get, the more risks there are at having a children. No matter how old I get, I can still go back to school in my mid 30's without any health risks compared to waiting to have a baby in my mid 30's. I have family in San Diego who will be willing to help with babysitting and my husband agreed to taking a huge part in supporting and helping me get through school while taking care of our first born. So I know that would help me out. On another note everyone's case is a bit different too...I know I cant be pregnant while going to school. Knowing how much I stress with studying, I don't think being pregnant would be good for me or the baby. If you think you can handle it, then much power to you =)... I hope this helped =)

lovenotwar14 · Nov 12, 2013

Girl you waited this long what's 3 more years? And as far as age go the cut off is 34. But nowadays woman are having healthy baboes well into their 40s. Dont get pregnant while in NS. You will have to drop out and you will regret it.

lovenotwar14 · Nov 12, 2013

And for all the ladies who want kids I just want to say.. children aren't all they are cracked up to be. Dont get me wrong I LOVE my children but if I had it to do all over again I wouldve finish school before I had them. Daycare is expensive, you miss school when they are sick, and don't get me started on study time... after the cooking cleaning and running after 2 small kids all day I'm tired but can't sleeo cuz I have to study and needless to say sleep deprived. Its not easy. I wish someone had slapped me and told me the reality of it.

NurseNanci1 · Nov 12, 2013

I graduated with 2 students who were pregnant and had their babies while in the nursing program it can be done it's not easy but if u want something bad enough u do what u have to do! Don't drop out go down fighting ! If u get pregnant don't give up on school it can be done but it won't be easy! The 2 students who I graduated with are both RNs now and wouldn't change a thing about their journey. If u allow yourself an excuse to not do well (kids) then u will take it as an out. I had a 12 yr old when I started back and my mom died while I was in the program. $hit happens and expect it to happen while in school just be prepared to work your way through anything ! Good luck !