Pregnancy: Before or After Nursing School

futurehomebirthcnm · Jun 1, 2012

I would suggest getting your BSN after you're past your "fourth trimester", however long that ends up being for you. You could probably be able to do half-time for your pre-reqs while you're trying to get pregnant and during your pregnancy (if you don't have any financial aid dependent on you being full-time), and then apply to nursing school when you and your baby are ready for separation. Science classes are usually good for at least five years so if you decide to have more than one baby you don't have to worry about them "expiring" before you enroll in your BSN program. You probably won't want a gap between getting your degree and starting a nursing job--not impossible to get a job in that case, but it will probably be harder.

It also depends on what your work situation is, and if you need to take paid family leave, etc. It may be in your best interest to start your BSN as soon as possible, get a job, and then get pregnant so you can have paid leave.

To re-iterate, it is your decision and only you can truly decide what's best for you.

NayRN · Jun 1, 2012

All of this planning is great, but realize that you must expect the unexpected. What if you don't get pregnant right away? What if it takes a year-or two? You have health issues, what if you have complications and end up on bed rest for 3 months during pregnancy? What if, after you graduate you have difficulty landing a job right away?

That's one thing I've noticed about people who don't have kids yet-they have everything all planned out, the house a certain way, they have hobbies they like to do. All of this debate is fairly useless in the face of life's little surprises.

Me? I started pre reqs and got pregnant with my 2nd baby around the same time. I started nursing classes just after she turned 2, and my oldest was 6. I graduated, worked for a year, got pregnant with my 3rd. My husband lost his job while I was on maternity leave, and so (blessing in disguise) he was able to stay home with the baby for the first year. This meant lots of overtime for me, but that was ok since all of my time off wasn't spent working around 2 schedules and could all be "quality time."

A few months ago, we opened a business so my husband could go back to work. It has been much more difficult because we don't have a great family support system, but we do have a good friend or two willing to babysit until Max (the baby) turns 2 (in November). Babysitting is a huge difficulty for many parents. One you can trust, one you can afford, and one who works extended hours like nurses do-tough to find.

Bottom line: if you want a baby, have a baby. The rest will work itself out, and you will find flexibility and resourcefulness you never knew you had.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Jun 1, 2012

Three of my classmates were pregnant while I was attending an RN bridge program back in 2009. Two of the women were younger, relatively healthy, and already had several kiddos at home, so they were able to give birth naturally and return to school within one week.

The third woman was older (late 30s or possibly in her 40s), a heavy smoker, and had teenagers at home. She give birth to a full term 5-pound baby girl and never returned to the program.

Therefore, it is a wild card. You are 26 years old and still have another 10+ years of fertility left. Since you have a chronic illness that is known to affect pregnancies, I would delay getting pregnant until after you graduate. Good luck to you!

nwnursing · Jun 1, 2012

I got pregnant with our second just when I started my prereqs. I took my time getting the courses in, as I was working full time. I then quit my full time job, and got a CNA license to get some work experience when the baby was 1, and she's now 2. I'll be starting in the fall with a 5 year old and 2 year old, and they are both sleeping through the night, and while not fully self-sufficient, at least easier than a newborn. It's the option I would recommend, since it worked out for me. But every one needs to chart your own life.

Good luck, it's an exciting journey.

DIVINELY FAVORED · Jun 1, 2012

That really depends on your level of committment and your support system. I would say wait until you graduate, your a diabetic and once the demands of nursing school comes along with raising a child ( which would be a busy toddler if you have baby and finish pre-reqs) is a lot to handle, exhausting, also very exspensive. I am a single mother to a terrific 2 year old and sometimes there is not enough time for everything and I feel like I neglect my child. My mother moved in with me and she doesn't work so she helps alot with my son. But I still feel bad as a mother. I can't work because school demands so much and I am constantly under pressure. It will soon pay off, but If I could go back in time i would definitely wait until I was a nurse, then have children.

Aongroup1990, CNA · Jun 1, 2012

After is good even though when i was pregnant i took pre recs it doesn't hurt but i could barely walk or do anything after i had the baby.. so try to finish the education first.... im lucky to have my baby before i went into nursing...

Stephalump · Jun 1, 2012

All of this planning is great, but realize that you must expect the unexpected. What if you don't get pregnant right away? What if it takes a year-or two? You have health issues, what if you have complications and end up on bed rest for 3 months during pregnancy? What if, after you graduate you have difficulty landing a job right away?
That's one thing I've noticed about people who don't have kids yet-they have everything all planned out, the house a certain way, they have hobbies they like to do. All of this debate is fairly useless in the face of life's little surprises.
Me? I started pre reqs and got pregnant with my 2nd baby around the same time. I started nursing classes just after she turned 2, and my oldest was 6. I graduated, worked for a year, got pregnant with my 3rd. My husband lost his job while I was on maternity leave, and so (blessing in disguise) he was able to stay home with the baby for the first year. This meant lots of overtime for me, but that was ok since all of my time off wasn't spent working around 2 schedules and could all be "quality time."
A few months ago, we opened a business so my husband could go back to work. It has been much more difficult because we don't have a great family support system, but we do have a good friend or two willing to babysit until Max (the baby) turns 2 (in November). Babysitting is a huge difficulty for many parents. One you can trust, one you can afford, and one who works extended hours like nurses do-tough to find.
Bottom line: if you want a baby, have a baby. The rest will work itself out, and you will find flexibility and resourcefulness you never knew you had.

So very true. I've made it a long way with three kids in tow (pregnant with the first at 17), but not without a million changes of plans and rolling with the punches. Starting NS this fall has been 4 years in the making - not my planned entry date, program, or school. But everything does work itself out in the end. I have zero regrets, and my family is always number one.

♑ Capricorn ♑ · Jun 2, 2012

Personally, I would have kids now. Do it now. (pun, not intended) School will always be there. I say this, because I was robbed of the opportunity of having kids at an early age. Ovaries are such fragile things. If I could take them back and start over, I would have had kids and then gone to school. Of course, the decision is yours to make.

OB-nurse2013, BSN, RN · Jun 2, 2012

I can see it from both points of view. School can wait, it isn't going anywhere. I started school (pre-req's) and found out I was pregnant right before starting nursing school. I took a couple years off and decided to go to a University since I wanted my BSN anyhow I decided to skip the middle man. Anyhow I am almost done with school and I have to say its very, very difficult to do with kids. Mine are very little and my school is tough. You never how hard it is to leave your babies until you actually become a mother. On the other end having children has in some ways greatly prepared me for nursing school. I am more responsible, more disciplined, and more compassionate since having children so I choose to believe since it couldn't have been another way that it all worked out for the best but sometimes I am so jealous of my many classmates without children.

2BRN123 · Jun 2, 2012

Ok different perspective.

I am an only child of a single mother (not quite your situation but stay with me here). I had a father-type figure around when I was a kid for quite a while. My mom chose to go back to school when I was around 4 years old. I can tell you it was not easy for us. It was not easy for her, it was lonely for me. My mother is full of regret about my childhood and about the way things panned out, latch-key kid, spending evenings by myself, having neighbors take me to my softball practices, often looking out at an empty seat at the school play, or holding my grandmothers hand at a parent teacher conference. Looking back it wasn't so horrible but it was crippling for me as a kid. My mother had to work full time to support us and her education was stretched out over an even longer period of time because she had to go to school part-time in order to be able to work.

Your situation is obviously different because you aren't a single mum (although it unfortunately slaps a lot of women in the face unexpectedly). It's still tough on kids. When they need you the most during their formative years, you're off at school AND work and they're spending time with relatives or at daycare.

Also, by the time you're done having kids and have yourself in a position to start school again, BSN's might be the new standard. Things are already heading that direction. Why not just get an ASN NOW, and possibly continue your education after you have kids. This way you already have the credential to fall back on if you want to do part time or casual work while you rear them.

What does your husband do? Does he have stable reliable work? Do you? Whats the future job market look like for both of you? If you have kids and he becomes unemployed...do you have a mortgage to pay? Lots of debts to pay off? Its not just a question of what will be best for you but what you will be able to do if push comes to shove.

I know from experience, it's much harder to push with a kid and an exam and a mortgage and an alarm set for 4:45 to get yourself to work in the morning.

OB-nurse2013, BSN, RN · Jun 2, 2012

Ok different perspective.
I am an only child of a single mother (not quite your situation but stay with me here). I had a father-type figure around when I was a kid for quite a while. My mom chose to go back to school when I was around 4 years old. I can tell you it was not easy for us. It was not easy for her, it was lonely for me. My mother is full of regret about my childhood and about the way things panned out, latch-key kid, spending evenings by myself, having neighbors take me to my softball practices, often looking out at an empty seat at the school play, or holding my grandmothers hand at a parent teacher conference. Looking back it wasn't so horrible but it was crippling for me as a kid. My mother had to work full time to support us and her education was stretched out over an even longer period of time because she had to go to school part-time in order to be able to work.
Your situation is obviously different because you aren't a single mum (although it unfortunately slaps a lot of women in the face unexpectedly). It's still tough on kids. When they need you the most during their formative years, you're off at school AND work and they're spending time with relatives or at daycare.
Also, by the time you're done having kids and have yourself in a position to start school again, BSN's might be the new standard. Things are already heading that direction. Why not just get an ASN NOW, and possibly continue your education after you have kids. This way you already have the credential to fall back on if you want to do part time or casual work while you rear them.
What does your husband do? Does he have stable reliable work? Do you? Whats the future job market look like for both of you? If you have kids and he becomes unemployed...do you have a mortgage to pay? Lots of debts to pay off? Its not just a question of what will be best for you but what you will be able to do if push comes to shove.
I know from experience, it's much harder to push with a kid and an exam and a mortgage and an alarm set for 4:45 to get yourself to work in the morning.

I don't think you're a jerk and I agree and appreciate your view. It is very difficult and everyone just says oh go for it no worries but its not that easy as a mother. My BSN program is almost part time for me because I took my time doing gen eds before starting the program and I still feel constant guilt and cannot wait to be done. I don't work either :) I also plan to only work part time after graduating but I hope my babies don't feel this way when they get older, I still am able to attend pretty much everything :) Thanks for your honesty!

RNGriffin · Jun 2, 2012

The wise decision would be to have kids before you enter the nursing program, as newborns require a lot of attention. This being your first child will make you that more cautious. It's either that or you can prolong the time frame and enter into the nursing field with a little experience under your belt.

I personally believe it's not a wise decision to go through school, then decide to become pregnant. You haven't really given yourself enough time to become a season nurse, and would likely require another year of refresher courses in order to enter the career field.

This is a personal decision you and your husband should discuss. Which prioritizes the other? Are you seeking to build a family and then career or career and then family? Both require so much dedication and time. I am fearful that new mothers don't have a high success rate in strenuous nursing courses due to family obligations. You may find yourself take more time away from the work force after making the decision.

The choice is al yours!