Pregnant and nursing school... full or part-time?

Southern Magnolia · Jan 3, 2011

Personally, I'd do as much as I can before. I worked full time before I had my first child and it was very doable - provided you have an uncomplicated pregnancy. That way you have less classes to take once the baby arrives. Once you have a baby everything changes . . . you may think now that you'll be ok leaving your baby for X number of hours a day to finish school but for many women it is very hard to do. Just my opinion.

Congratulations and best wishes.

Anne36, LPN · Jan 3, 2011

Im confused. Are you in Nursing School right now or are you in pre-req's?

I guess it depends on how soon you need to graduate so that you can work. I see you are a first time Mom, so I based on my experience I would try to get as much out of the way as possible before the baby comes. Mabye it will lighten your load later on so you can spend more time with the baby.

fromtheseaRN, BSN, RN · Jan 3, 2011

may as well jump right in. classes and homework are far easier when you're not caring for a baby outside of the womb.

that being said, if your pregnancy develops a complication or your pregnant brain is pretty severe (lots of us can't retain info when pregnant ), it may be another story.

good luck and congrats!

sarahjuly · Jan 3, 2011

I'm 6 months pregnant with one semester left in an ADN program. I am due four weeks before graduation. At first I was worried about being fulltime with my due date during the semester, but after discussing it with the head of my program I decided it was best to finish while pregnant. It well be easeir with the baby in my belly!! The program is being great about working with me. I'm sure the last month well be a challenge. My husband isn't eligable for FML because he just started his job in the last year, but he is saving all his vacation (three weeks) for when I have the baby to help. I think in your situation go full time. I worked on baby stuff over christmas break and I plan on doing any other work preparing for the baby during spring break.

magn1jes · Jan 3, 2011

Im confused. Are you in Nursing School right now or are you in pre-req's?

I am in a ladder program, so I am in the middle of the LPN part, when I graduate from that I can apply for the RN program.

if your pregnancy develops a complication or your pregnant brain is pretty severe (lots of us can't retain info when pregnant ), it may be another story.
good luck and congrats!

That is what I am worried about. I was spotting pretty good in my first trimester, and once I lowered my stress it went away. Also, my pregnancy brain has been pretty bad so far.

I just wish I knew the right thing to do. I don't want to overwhelm myself, or feel like I should have just went for it and got it done with. Aaarrrggh! :confused: :uhoh3:

Mrs. Sparkle Pants · Jan 3, 2011

Get it over with, and I would suggest going in the summer too. Newborns sleep a lot, not on normal people hours lol but a lot, making it easier to do school work. Once they get older and are awake more it only gets harder. I had my son my junior year of college and It has gotten progressively harder (he's two now)

lrobinson5 · Jan 3, 2011

I am about to start an RN program in February and it is the hardest thing to think about leaving my 1 year old for x amount of hours every day.

It is sad, but at 1 years old I can cope, but I would NOT be able to do it had I been accepted for last Fall.

I know you don't have any kids, but please, they grow so fast, especially in that first year! Don't miss out!

Coulter630 · Jan 4, 2011

Get everything you possibly can out of the way right now!!! lol I have a 4 yr old and a husband who is a police officer and our schedules are pretty hectic during the semester. He's old enough now to where he goes to use the bathroom on his own.....like him going without telling me so I can help.....getting snacks when he wants, telling me when he's hungry....things like that. With your first, I def recommend you get as much done while pregnant as you can. There will be a sacrifice somewhere, whether it be sacrificing spending time on the babys room, shopping, etc. At least if you do a lot now, you will have to sacrifice less time when the baby is born. I honestly don't know how new mom's whether first, second, or third child attend nursing school and care for a newborn. BUT there are a few women in my program that do it! Good Luck and Best wishes to you and your family.

wsuRN09 · Jan 4, 2011

Your baby is taking care of his or herself at the moment, so now is the best time to finish up school IMO. That way when the baby is born you can devote all of your attention to your new family. But as others have stated, if the pregnancy becomes complicated you would most likely need to adjust your level of involvement in school. Best of luck and congrats on your soon to be mommy status:)

Quark09 · Jan 4, 2011

I was pregnant my last year of school. I attended full time, had my son in March, and graduated in May. I planned with my instructors how to handle missed clinicals (I started back in class a week after he was born via c-section) and was allowed to make up two clinical days at the end of April (so I went twice a week for two weeks). I missed one test, which I was allowed to make up just prior to the next test.

I had a 3-year old at the time as well, and still graduated with a 3.8. My husband came home from Korea for 3 weeks after Little V was born, so I had that time to catch up on rest and keep my school work in line.

Trust me, it's all a lot easier before the baby is born... I was thankful I only had 7 weeks of school left after he arrived!

DIVARN85 · Jan 4, 2011

I have friends who did it and it as torture on them. You can do it but it will be hard because NURSING SCHOOL PROFESSORS HAVE NO MERCY!!!! I see pregnant women cry at my school all the time. If I were you to be safe, I would go part time but it is your decision. I am telling you from the experience of two of my friends. They barely passed some classes with the minimum requirements.