question to all graduates

I don't have any kids so I'm sure that you will have much more responsibilities then I did during nursing school.

Beginning: If you have experience in healthcare you will have an edge (e.g. CNA, LPN). I did not have any experience at all and I was struggling in the basics. My hardest clinical was my first semester at the nursing home. You'll feel a little slower then everyone else. Just keep your heart in the right place - you're there because of your compassion for patients - this will show to the instructor. Tests will also be difficult because you're getting used to the "all the answers are right but which one is the best answer" type of test. Just remember this during school "Maslow's Hierarchy."

Middle: You'll never have worked so hard in your life. I was a 3.93 student in high school - I got my first "C" ever during nursing. Then you'll start to discover that B's aren't too bad - and hey - "C" is still passing. You'll start to get more comfortable with clinicals. At this point, having previous experience (CNA/LPN) won't matter anymore. As a matter of fact, just as many of the CNAs failed during this point as those of us without experience. Remember - keep your head on right and let your compassion for the patient always be your priority, your instructors WILL notice. Study for your tests using the NCLEX prep books. Care plans are about prioritizing - you won't use them when you leave nursing school but I honestly believe that they're just a way for instructors to give "busy work" to students. Still - but lots of effort into them - effort shows. Most people do well and enjoy OB, many struggle with their first semester of Med-Surg. Know your meds.

Finish: Your last semester will fly by. Keep your head in the game, study for the tests, be proactive with your patients and in class.

When you're done with your degree and start your job, that's when the real learning will start. Take your NCLEX early while the knowledge is still fresh in your head.

study and stay on top of everything. try not to get distracted easily

Time management is key. When you get that down, you'll be fine.

There are a handful of nursing students with kids and most of them are the smartest people in class. I think it give you a different approach to nursing and you've gone thru a lot medically when it comes to children. THe most importatn thing is TIME MANAGEMENT. Gotta have study/work/kid/FREE time. Without a balance and effective time mangement it will be almost impossible.

i don't have kids myself, but over half my class did and what I heard over and over again (being that those parents were females) was that they had a great support system from their sig. other - you're house isn't going to be tidy at all times, you're not going to have time to cook as much and you WILL need to lock yourself up every so often to get your studying done. All these women were the smartest ones in class and not one of them ever failed the semester. You'll do it too!

I am 23 years old, married and the mother of a 3 and 4 year old (soon to be 5 at the end of this month). When I started nursing school they were 2 and 3. I think sakura_SN's post is definitely on point, especially since she said she doesn't have kids.

Some important points mentioned:

1. Support system: God Bless my husband, because if it was not for him I know (not think) I couldn't have done it. He helped me clean, cook, run errands, and even took the kids off for me while I studied.

2. Guilt: You are not going to be able to get it all down, but give yourself grace. Don't expect to have a spotless house after you just had 12 hour clinicals and have to come home, put kids in the bed, and study for an exam in the morning. The dishes can wait! At times you will feel like you are the worst mother in world, especially when your kids look at you and say "Mommy, are you going to school again??" It's enough to make you want to cry.

But, you have to remind yourself that you are doing this for them, and they will soon reap the benefits of the sacrifice you made. I feel like at times I missed valuable parts of my children's lives, but then what better time do it then when they're young-heck they won't even remember it when they get 10!

3. Balance: My first semester of nursing school God spoke to my heart about this very thing, and I have always tried to keep this straight: God-first, family-second, school/friends/etc.-third. If you remember to put God first in everything you do, he will help you to keep the other things in line. Through the grace of God, I have never had to miss a Sunday of church to stay at home studying. I need Him more than I need to be a nurse. He has helped me to organize my life where I realize when enough is enough, and when it's time to just close my books and go play with my kids. I mean after you have studied something for 10 hours, when is it enough?

I think women are designed by God to "hold it down," if you know what I mean. In Proverbs 31 it talks about the virtuous woman, and she did it all. She was a wife, a mother, a seamstress, a homemaker, an entrepreneur, a realtor, a manager and still managed to be beautiful!! Is that not us?

I am graduating in May (with Honors) at the top of my class, and was selected by my nursing class to be class president- and still have my sanity (at least I like to think so). My class mates often joke with me about being the only one in my class who hasn't started smoking or isn't on some sort of anxiety/depression medication. God is good! Congratulations, and know that with God all things are possible- I wouldn't dare try to do it without Him.

Pray for me because I am going to add one more thing to list after becoming a nurse- homeschooler. I am going to homeschool my kids! Boy, I am really going to be on my knees then!!! I wish you the best.

Do you have someone to help w/ the kiddos? I know from experience that it is very difficult to be a full time Mommy and attend nursing school. It can be done, but be prepared to put your personal life on hold for awhile. It's harder at first to adjust to the change of starting something new. Once you've gotten used to clinicals, studying and careplans it will seem much easier. Just try not to get overwhelmed and remember that you have to take it one semester at a time. Don't get caught up in how many more semesters until you finish. Just study, get ahead when you have a chance, and don't forget to kiss them babies every time you get a chance. It is difficult, but very rewarding once you are finished. It will all be worth it when it's over.

I forgot to add congratulations on starting this journey! Good luck to you and best wishes!!

.....

I remember when I was going into the first sem. of nursing school, we had a meet and greet where we all were highly encouraged to bring our spouses and family members to meet all the instructors and other nursing students. After we all ate and mingled , the program administrator spoke to the families of students, she really made it a point to let them know how stressful and time consuming nursing school can be and to try and be understanding if the house doesnt always get cleaned or if playtime with the kids doesnt last quite as long. It really went a long way in my relationship at the time I think because my fiance at the time was able to hear that straight from the horses mouth, so to speak and not just from me.