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I got into the March 2017 PT cohort. I have no idea how many students they admit each cohort but they do take 5 cohorts a year so your odds are probably good. I can't remember my exact GPA but I'm somewhere around a 3.5 in total (that's with 2 rounds of undergrad). I only have a year work experience and they didn't mind too. If there is a particular reason why your GPA wasn't great the first time around, they do allow you to submit a statement as to why that happened, which I feel is very generous. Good luck!

I'm starting FNP school in March with a 4 month old and 2 1/2 yr old. My plan is to not work and my oldest is in preschool all day, 2x a week. I'm going to stay very organized and remain flexible with my schedule and if I need to find a sitter for my youngest or add a 3rd preschool day for my oldest, I definitely will. I want to study when they aren't home/sleeping and be totally on when they are awake. I also realize this may be harder than it sounds, so again, I'm remaining very flexible and I have a very supportive husband who will be available on the weekends if I need to cram. Good luck!

Can you share any of the tips you've found so far???

I think you can totally do it if you really want to! Graduate school will certainly always be there if you want a little more "selfish" time with your babies (and who would blame you!). Just like everyone else mentioned, it sounds like you have a wonderful support system so it's really your decision. Let us know how things go!

I have an 18 month old and we are trying to get pregnant And I could probably use a few more years of experience but I'm still in study mode since completing my BSN last year. Timing is such a tricky B.

JessicaLovesJeff, you are making me feel like I should apply! LOL

Haha, that's great. I'm sure you'll get in. At this point I'm leaning toward applying for next May bc I'm not sure I can work full-time and go to school part-time while my husband is currently going back to school full-time and also working full-time. We also have a young family. I am very excited to go back so waiting till next year is not my preference but it may be wiser. Looking forward to hearing how it all goes for you.

This is what I'm curious about. I also have a young family and a husband in a Master's program while working full-time. I will definitely be going back to school, it's really just figuring out the timing and whether to wait until he is done and if I should wait until my full-time contract is over and go part-time at work while completing graduate school. Thanks for the info!

I'm interested in applying to Simmons for the Sept or Nov 16 cohorts. Are you all working fulltime? Are you applying to the fulltime or part time option? I am curious how overwhelming the part time option will be while working.

@arlucero1 I'm not a full fledge NICU RN yet (still training) but I assume that's perfectly normal. Some days will probably be awesome and you have everything going the way you envision and then other days will go haywire and baby will decide she/he has different plans. I'm sure you are doing great!

Enjoying reading these tips! I start my Versant program for my NICU position next month. Very excited and ready to absorb everything I can in order to take care of my babies!

Great article, thanks!

So great!!

This is super encouraging! Thanks!

Interesting! So a TIA is not serious enough to warrant a dosage of tPA, correct? The patient would be given something else like an anticoagulant? I really need to review this stuff bc I'm already forgetting! :-/

I love these questions!

Answers! Answers! Also, if her BP is high and we are worried about a second stroke, is there a drug protocol to try to bring the BP down asap? I'm asking as a SN (student nurse).

We did it. I'm due in August (we get summer breaks) and I start back in September. I'm in a full time BSN program with very little leniency as far as making up clinical hours, etc. I've had a normal pregnancy and made sure to really take care of myself and rest when necessary but I also completed Peds, OB and a psych rotation all this past school year (while pregnant). It's honestly your call. My school is pretty tough but this was year 2 for me and I felt pretty comfortable with what to expect versus year 1 and feeling completely stressed out. I heard the same arguments presented here but my husband and I decided to just go for it and worst case scenario was pushing graduation back a year. So far that doesn't look like it's going to happen. One thing that does play a factor for us: daycare when baby arrives. My mother-in-law is going to watch him when I'm at school/hospital and that's a huge favor to us while he's very small. So consider what happens when baby arrives too. Good luck! :)

There is a guy in my FT program that works Friday, Saturday, Sunday in order to get his 40 hours in every week. Granted he doesn't have children (just a wife) but he has still managed to never miss a day and maintain great grades. Our program only runs Monday-Thursday with lectures and 1 day (12 hrs) of clinical per week. I believe he studies during those days and during his breaks at work. As with all things, you can do whatever you set your mind to and everyone will have an opinion on whether you can do this or not. It seems like the most important thing is to really have your wife on board and you two working as a team to make this work... as well as time management and all the other great tips offered. Good luck!

I'd definitely get everything organized while you can... think your study area, common living areas, etc. I also stock up the pantry, school supplies, coffee (LOL), etc.

Anything and everything I can think of! Yoga, run, meditation, bubble bath, bottles of wine, CrossFit, etc. It all really depends on what there is time for.

I'm interested to hear more responses; I have a friend that got pregnant during her program. Her pregnancy went well enough with the typical morning sickness during the first trimester and she was able to finish everything with flexibility from the program directors. She worked her butt off though!

I just finished my first year of a three year program and have a nice three month break. After four weeks of relaxing and taking it easy, I'm getting anxious to start again and feel like I should be doing something such as reviewing my past year (finished Med Surg). Does anyone else study over break? Or should I force myself to not study till the very end for fear of getting burnt out? I'm considering making myself only review a little everyday (if I'm in the mood) and continue to do nothing since I won't get to do that for about 9 months starting in September. Thoughts?

If I really can't study, I stop and go running. This really helps with stress and clearing my mind. I can usually get some good studying done after this bc I feel more focused. Maybe something like this or going for a walk? Good luck!

If you can stand it, wait as long as possible to begin reading. There will be so much allll year and by the end, most of my peers and I were simply burnt out from SO much reading and studying. I would (highly) suggest getting to the gym as much as possible. Your body needs to begin to endure long mental and physical hours! Not to mention lifting some weights for strength to move patients around. Just my two cents. Congrats and good luck! Also Saunders has a great NCLEX review book&cd that I would encourage you to use all year while studying :)