Pregnant during nursing school?

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I just got accepted to start a 2 yr BSN program this Fall (yay!). My husband and I were originally planning on trying for another baby this year and timing it so I would be due the summer between the 1st and 2nd year. Well, I just saw how intense the schedule is for the third semester (3 eight hour days and 1 twelve hour day) and I couldn't imagine doing that with a newborn.

So I was thinking that maybe we could time it so I was due early next year and I would take the spring semester off. I suspect this would delay my schooling by a semester, but I'm okay with that. But can you do that in the nursing program, or is it once you take a semester off you have to start all back over?

One issue I thought of with that is that I would find out I'm pregnant before I started this Fall, would they still let me in knowing I'm pregnant?

My other option is to wait until I would be due after I graduate. Logically I know that would make the best sense, but I really want my kids to be closer in age. Also, I'd like to start working soon after I graduate.

Anybody have experience with this? Or know how it works if you take a semester off?

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We just had someone ask this question at the information session for Nursing applicants. The Dean of Nursing dept was there and said that you can take time off and then come back to the program. Im not really sure how it works. I can see that someone would become pregnant on accident, but I cant understand why anyone would plan a pregnancy during Nursing School. Why would you want to stretch yourself that thin with a newborn? I have 4 kids and cannot imagine being able to give a baby the time and attention they deserve while working let alone school.

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Specializes in Emergency Dept. Trauma. Pediatrics.

You would have to find out your school policy's on this. But I would strongly advice against getting pregnant while in nursing school and wait until your done or at least until you are in your last month or 2 to start trying. That's just me though.

We have had a few pregnant girls in our program, 2 of them have ended up failing and have to reapply to start the semester over, it's not guaranteed when they will be able to, it depends on how many people in the previous semester fail to open up room and how many are already on the list to readmit.

I also couldn't imagine being gone from my newborn all the time and it will be hard to find the time to have with them when you are home because you will have studying and projects to do.

Those first few months are so important for bonding and stuff. I dunno, just my opinion.

Edited to add, I have 4 kids, 2 of them are close together, if I could go back, I would space them out a bit. The age gap between the others has been great and I notice a lot of problems with my middle son because I think I had my 3rd son to soon, he was not ready to have the attention off of him yet. It's been a hard struggle because of that.

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Specializes in Psych, Med/Surg, LTC.

I would wait until the last few months of school to try and get pregnant... That way maybe deliver soon after graduation and study for NCLEX... Then take a few months before finding a job. I would want a few months to devote to the baby. Also, who knows if you are going to end up with a baby with health problems and that could really mess up school for having to miss all of the time.

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I wouldn't plan getting pregnant during nursing school, but maybe because I have to be on Zofran the entire time, just to limit my puking to min 3times a day. I don't do pregnant very well. I understand about wanting another baby, but you should have the TIME to spend with the baby. Really spend with the baby, not being in the same room as you study. Once you have that baby, you have her for MANY MANY years! No need to rush into it. I guess you need to decide which of the factors you can give up on, because no matter what some people say, you can't do it all. Something suffers. If you had the baby right "around" graduation, you could study for Nclex, and job hunt. If you don't want to wait to be "settled" on your new nursing job. Good luck, it isn't easy!

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Specializes in Critical Care; Cardiac; Professional Development.

*stands in with the "why on earth would you try to get pregnant during nursing school on purpose* crowd.

You aren't there yet so you don't realize what it is you are contemplating. I strongly advise you to wait to have a baby until after nursing school or wait until you have children and they are older before you go. Nursing school is hard...it is SUPER hard on those with little ones. Many do it; few would advise it.

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Specializes in Emergency Department.

My schedule is a test every Monday morning, followed by 2-hour lecture, a trip to the hospital to select my patient for the next day, rushing home to do the paperwork on him (which sometimes takes until 1am). Then getting up at 4:30am on Tuesday to get to the floor by 6a to make sure he didn't disappear overnight, then working all day. Another patient selection plus the first one and all the paperwork again. On Wednesday, another 4:30am wake-up, on the unit by 6am to make sure they are both still there followed by a full day on the floor. Lecture all day Thursday. Somewhere in there I am reading, studying, and spending time on myself and family. Thank God for the four kids I have and thank God for vasectomies ;)

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Specializes in L&D/Maternity nursing.

This is a hard question to answer as the way each program is organized varies greatly. I'd suggest seeking out your school's policies about taking sabbatical and/or what their policy is about missing clinical dates.

My husband and I have just started trying for a baby. However, I sit for NCLEX this summer and graduate in December and only have 8 hours/week in clinical in the fall. We decided to wait until my school schedule eased up and I was close to sitting for the boards and also with graduation, where a pregnancy wouldn't greatly interfere with my finishing.

So in short, I guess it just really depends on a bunch of factors-your family support, your own work ethic, the way your program is set up and your school's policies. Then do whatever you think is best for you and your family. I am a huge advocate for not letting nursing school take over your entire life. The world doesn't stop just because one is in school.

Good luck with whatever you decide!

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I could add that I know a Lady in my A&P class that has 2 little ones and is also planning a pregnancy if she makes it into the LPN program with me. She must be in her late 20's which makes a big difference. You wouldnt believe how much different you feel at 39 compared to 29. I feel 20 years older!

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Specializes in ED.

School can wait. I wold not out myself or my family through a newborn and nursing school. Nursing school is stressful even for the brightest, smartest students. It is WAY more than taking notes and studying a few hours each week. I only have one child and I'm a single parent and THAT is tough. I cannot imagine being pregnant and then having an infant while in school.

The labs and clinicals are tough on a body and even a perfect pregnancy wears a body out.

If your program allows you to take one class at a time, that might work but the work load of a full-time program is too much for a pregnant body.

m

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Specializes in med/surg/tele/LTC/geriatrics.

If you have the option I would recommend waiting. You don't want to deal with swollen ankles, morning sickness and nursing school exams. At the school I graduated from many of the pregnant gals failed out. One that did not showed up a few days after giving birth to clinical...they let her wear black pants instead of the required white.

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hi, i was pregnant the through the second semester of nursing school. It was hard but workable. Clinicals weren't always easy and neither was coming in to take an exam 4 days after delivery. If you want to do this, then you can, regardless of whats happening in your life. It's harder after you have the baby than when you're pregnant btw. :)

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