I just found out I am pregnant (I am guessing almost 6 weeks along) and I am going to be starting a BSN program in July of this year. I have been reading on here that other students that have had babies during their nursing program have been able to avoid taking any time off from school and completed their program on time. I have been asking my nursing faculty and they indicated that a leave MUST be taken because there are certain things that cannot be completed due to physical limitations and doctors clearances. How have other students been able to avoid this? I am worried because if I end up having to drop out of my cohort I may not be able to join with the next cohort. In the event there are no other pregnancies in another cohort, drop outs etc... there will be no space available. Is it possible that is all goes well with my pregnancy that my doctor can provide clearance throughout my pregnancy and post-partum care? Physical limitations for my program include being able to complete the following:
Frequently work in a standing position and do frequent walking. Lift and transfer patients up to 6 inches from a stooped position, then push or pull the weight up to 3 feet. Lift and transfer patients from a stooped to an upright position to accomplish bed-to-chair and chair-to-bed transfers. Physically apply up to 10 pounds of pressure to bleeding sites, or in performing CPR. Respond and react immediately to auditory instructions/requests/monitor equipment, and perform auditory auscultation without auditory impediments. Physically perform up to a twelve hour clinical laboratory experience. Perform close and distance visual activities involving objects, persons, and paperwork, as well as discriminate depth and color perception. Discriminate between sharp/dull and hot/cold when using hands. Perform mathematical calculations for medication preparation and administration. Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, using appropriate English grammar, vocabulary and wording. Make appropriate and timely decisions under stressful situations.
Yes, lots of people have done it. Anyone can get to the moon if they set their mind to it. Determination and meeting the goal is the least of your problems.
Rest, nutrition, reducing stress, taking care of your body, and baby. Dealing with pregnancy complications, delivery complications... Cesarean rate of the US is 1:3. If you have a cesarean, there is no way you'll have a doctor sign you off for return to clinical. Postpartum complications (depression, uterine infection, mastitis all from no rest, poor nutrition, and trying to do too much), baby complications (colic, not enough milk for her from pumping on the fly, etc.) I'm a midwife in "my other life" so I know a bit about what I'm saying with regard to women who underestimate their pregnancy and birth just being another ordinary day when they're in a rush to get back into work and school lives.
I cannot agree more with this. I think it may be hard for you to understand what it will be like because you have not experienced it. I sympathize with you greatly because I have been exactly were you were and I could not be happier that I took the time off to enjoy my son and readjust to life, give myself the time to heal, and my son the attention he needed and deserved. It killed me to do it but not after he was born, I was so happy I did it and those were some of the greatest days. Now I never gave up and am in nursing school now and I feel good about where I am and don't have any regrets at all. You have your whole life to finish school but you won't ever get those first few weeks of your child's life back.
I cannot agree more with this. I think it may be hard for you to understand what it will be like because you have not experienced it. I sympathize with you greatly because I have been exactly were you were and I could not be happier that I took the time off to enjoy my son and readjust to life, give myself the time to heal, and my son the attention he needed and deserved. It killed me to do it but not after he was born, I was so happy I did it and those were some of the greatest days. Now I never gave up and am in nursing school now and I feel good about where I am and don't have any regrets at all. You have your whole life to finish school but you won't ever get those first few weeks of your child's life back.
I am hoping that when I talk to the associate director tomorrow I will be able to have a spot "held" for me. Since the next cohort I would possibly be joining starts in October I could hopefully have a spot for me reserved in November-ish.
I am hoping that when I talk to the associate director tomorrow I will be able to have a spot "held" for me. Since the next cohort I would possibly be joining starts in October I could hopefully have a spot for me reserved in November-ish.
That would be good. For me after I had my son I went back to apply to my schools program and they had changed their admission criteria that was not in my favor. This prompted me to change schools and now I am in a BSN program that I hadn't even known about before and it's the same amount of time as the cc I was at, I also am a million times happier there as far as the administration and faculty goes. I also think I'm such a better student since becoming a mother I'm more self-disciplined, confident, and determined, which I know most people don't need to become a mom for that, but I did. Just try to remember even though things don't always go as we plan they almost always work out :) Good luck to you!!!!!!!!:heartbeat
I'll be starting nursing school when my baby is six months old. It's earlier than I've left my older children, but it was a surprise pregnancy. I've continued taking classes during my whole pregnancy and even now (I went strictly online for fall and spring semesters). At six months, my milk supply will be well established, I'll have a good stockpile of milk and I think I'll be okay. It would be very scary for me to have to return right after delivery. That said, I've known moms who had to return after two weeks to work full time and they've successfully done it - including pumping.
I'll be starting nursing school when my baby is six months old. It's earlier than I've left my older children, but it was a surprise pregnancy. I've continued taking classes during my whole pregnancy and even now (I went strictly online for fall and spring semesters). At six months, my milk supply will be well established, I'll have a good stockpile of milk and I think I'll be okay. It would be very scary for me to have to return right after delivery. That said, I've known moms who had to return after two weeks to work full time and they've successfully done it - including pumping.
I agree! I think it will be hard and I have always wanted to stay at home with my baby for awhile BUT, life throws you curve balls! I figured if I am not breast feeding I will be pumping and keep a supply! I hear breast milk keeps well and can even be frozen. Being that we will be living on base I feel like we will have great support from other couples and friends.
3-6 months in a regular freezer that is part of a refrigerator unit.
3-7 days in the refrigerator.
I hope you plan on breastfeeding as well, exclusively pumping is very, very hard to maintain your supply that way. It's much easier to just nurse the baby when you're with the baby - otherwise, you'd need to pump each and every time that the baby nursed as milk production is supply and demand. And, who wants to get up and pump in the middle of the night after getting up to have to warm a bottle. Much easier to pick the baby up and put him or her to the breast.
3-6 months in a regular freezer that is part of a refrigerator unit.
3-7 days in the refrigerator.
I hope you plan on breastfeeding as well, exclusively pumping is very, very hard to maintain your supply that way. It's much easier to just nurse the baby when you're with the baby - otherwise, you'd need to pump each and every time that the baby nursed as milk production is supply and demand. And, who wants to get up and pump in the middle of the night after getting up to have to warm a bottle. Much easier to pick the baby up and put him or her to the breast.
Oh totally! I plan on breastfeeding the baby whenever I am around. Just when I have clinicals/theory 3-4 days a week I don't want my baby to have formula. I would rather have breast milk already ready and have a supply. Thanks for the great info! I will definitely be breastfeeding at night too. Way less work!
Oh totally! I plan on breastfeeding the baby whenever I am around. Just when I have clinicals/theory 3-4 days a week I don't want my baby to have formula. I would rather have breast milk already ready and have a supply. Thanks for the great info! I will definitely be breastfeeding at night too. Way less work!
It takes a while to pump enough milk to save for your baby to thrive on when you're away from him/her 3-4 days a week. The longer you are away from your baby the less likely s/he is to nurse directly at your breast, thus decreasing your supply further. A previous poster has warned that it is tough to pump enough directly to feed your baby exclusively without formula and that is true. Your body depends on the baby being around, just as your baby depends on you being around.
It takes a while to pump enough milk to save for your baby to thrive on when you're away from him/her 3-4 days a week. The longer you are away from your baby the less likely s/he is to nurse directly at your breast, thus decreasing your supply further. A previous poster has warned that it is tough to pump enough directly to feed your baby exclusively without formula and that is true. Your body depends on the baby being around, just as your baby depends on you being around.
That is a good point, I did not think about that. My husband gets 2 weeks maternity leave so he could bring the baby to me when he/she needed to breast feed. I know I could make the breast feeding part work. I am just worred about the school portion.
OB-nurse2013, BSN, RN
1,229 Posts
I cannot agree more with this. I think it may be hard for you to understand what it will be like because you have not experienced it. I sympathize with you greatly because I have been exactly were you were and I could not be happier that I took the time off to enjoy my son and readjust to life, give myself the time to heal, and my son the attention he needed and deserved. It killed me to do it but not after he was born, I was so happy I did it and those were some of the greatest days. Now I never gave up and am in nursing school now and I feel good about where I am and don't have any regrets at all. You have your whole life to finish school but you won't ever get those first few weeks of your child's life back.