Pregnant and Nursing School

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Specializes in Adult Gerontology Primary Care, Palliative.

I really don't mean to sound inconsiderate but I really don't understand pregnant women who have decided to start nursing school. There are two women that I know of that are very pregnant right now in my nursing program, and it's coming to the end of our first semester.. and they are either going to deliever by the end of this semester or the beginning of next semester. I just don't understand how these women will finish the program and handle a new born baby? It just doesn't seem like they put very much thought into family planning and educational planning when they got pregnant? I've seen our next semester schedule and we're going to have 15 hours of clincial experience on its own each week.. that doesn't include traveling to and from school and clincial sites, or the amount of time that will need to be spent studying and preparing for class and clincial experiences.

I guess it's just making me angry because I don't see how these women could possibly give their patient, kids, families, and education the adequate time and not end up giving up one of them.. and the most likely to be dropped would be nursing school. And if they do decide to drop out of the program, then why didn't they think about applying to nursing school or pursuing nursing school til their children were older. Because someone else who doesn't have a million obligations outside of nursing school could have their seat, instead of them dropping out of the program.

I know there is the option of having extra help with children while the new mothers are in school, but as some point they are going to go home and spend time with their families, and their children? Also, it's not like a woman can have a baby on Friday, and then be back at school on Monday.. I'm sure it has happened before but the repercussions of those actions could not have been good.

If anyone can give me some insight into how I can better understand these women and their thought process.. or just give me some words to understand so I don't go crazy with anger.

Thanks!

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Why would this be a concern for you in the first place? What does it have to do with you?

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Specializes in Adult Gerontology Primary Care, Palliative.
Why would this be a concern for you in the first place? What does it have to do with you?

You're right.. it's not a concern of mine.. it doesn't have anything to do with me.. but it's just something that is bothering me.. maybe it shouldn't but it does.. so I guess just for my own peace of mind or for me to be able to better understand other people that's why I posted the situation and my thoughts.

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Are you serious? you sounds like you have got alot of time.

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Things happen in life that you can't control, maybe they weren't planning on having babies at this time, but life happens and you move forward still. I'm sure they will find a way to continue going to school and raise a family in the meantime! I say power to them! But in the meantime too, I would FOY (focus on yourself).

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Don't know if this will help you:

I have 5 children - 4 birth control failures! My RN sis actually had the audacity once to tell me that she knows that I couldn't have had that many BC failures and she knows because she is a NURSE! My engineer's response: No wonder you sucked in statistics class! :D

Anyway, I went back to work 6 wks after my oldest was born (called the commander the morning of labor onset...worked the day before!). (USAF Officer). I was out of work when my second was born but found a job before he was 4 mo old (USAF Civil Service). I went back to work 4 weeks after #3 was born (called work the day of labor when my water broke and I was dressed for work!), 2 weeks after #4 was born (worked the day before labor) and 1 week after #5 was born!!!:D:eek: (Mainframe programmer at assorted companies)

Was I a terrible mother? Not according to my kids! For a long time, I was a single mom. We lived in some beautiful homes! I have bought my kids cars, TV's, computers, ipods, xbox 360s, etc....yada yada.

My oldest served four years in the US Army as a Combat medic (is now a veteran and in the reserves) and is taking her NS pre-reqs. She was an honor grad out of HS.

The second is also an Army vet (Helicopter Mechanic). He is in college studying HVAC/R.

The third is also studying HVAC/R.

The fourth is also an honor grad. She attends UNF on scholarship - studying criminal justice. (Dean's list)

The fifth is in HS, all honors courses and has been getting college contacts since her sophomore year!

Let each parent decide what is right for their child. Your beliefs may just be invalid for them.

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Specializes in L&D/Maternity nursing.
Why would this be a concern for you in the first place? What does it have to do with you?

I was just about to ask the same

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Specializes in L&D/Maternity nursing.
You're right.. it's not a concern of mine.. it doesn't have anything to do with me.. but it's just something that is bothering me.. maybe it shouldn't but it does.. so I guess just for my own peace of mind or for me to be able to better understand other people that's why I posted the situation and my thoughts.

I guess I don't see how or why it should bother you at all.

Many women have babies in nursing school or have families going into nursing school and they manage just fine. Sure it is tough at times, but what in life doesn't take work?

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Specializes in Adult Gerontology Primary Care, Palliative.

I'm not trying to decide what these future moms should do for their families or their education, nor am I trying to judge anyone. I don't at all doubt that these women will make good mothers and will raise their children to be contributing members to our society. As for FLmomof5 I understand that different women have different capacities and could go back to work/school within a week of having a child.. I guess because I know people who have had children during nursing school and then had to drop out because it just got too much to handle with a newborn baby.. and I know how these people have had to struggle to handle their lives with the addition of a baby plus nursing school.. and obviously it wasn't easy. I guess I was just trying to understand the thought process.. I wasn't trying to judge anyone or seem self righteous.. and if I offended anyone then I am sorry..

P.S. kikibibi: Why is me thinking about this or wanting insight into this situation make me have too much time on my hands?

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The little buns in the oven is what drive these women to work so hard...

I give them all the respect for balancing their pregnancy and academic schedule. It is refreshing to see people challenge and push their abilities by attending school. This is what these women are doing and no baby is going to hold them back, if anything it ll push them to work harder. I have more respect for these women than the girls who gets trashed on weekends being unable to remember having sex with a guy 5hrs ago followed by eating morning after pills like they re daily vitamins

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Nursing is about being compassionate and kind, so you can care for others when they are vulnerable. Maybe focus on that?

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Specializes in Adult Gerontology Primary Care, Palliative.
Nursing is about being compassionate and kind, so you can care for others when they are vulnerable. Maybe focus on that?

The little buns in the oven is what drive these women to work so hard...

I give them all the respect for balancing their pregnancy and academic schedule. It is refreshing to see people challenge and push their abilities by attending school. This is what these women are doing and no baby is going to hold them back, if anything it ll push them to work harder. I have more respect for these women than the girls who gets trashed on weekends being unable to remember having sex with a guy 5hrs ago followed by eating morning after pills like they re daily vitamins

I totally agree with your StudentNurseElle I definitely think having a child or children makes these women work harder and I definitely respect the women who are able to make it through nursing school with a child or children.

Elizabelle: I understand what nursing is about.. I don't think I'm being mean or saying anything that would be label me as not being compassionate or kind to these women and their situations.. I just wanted insight...

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