Nurses/Moms-your advice, please! :)

Nursing Students ADN/BSN

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Im a mom of 3 little ones (all under 4 yrs old), and any advice from other mom RNs about which program and work situation would be VERY much appreciated. Heres some background...

I am currently finishing prerequisities for nursing program (I am either between an accelerated BSN from UF or ASN from Santa Fe College-both here in Gainesville, FL). Both are similar in length, but I believe UF's program is limited to the teaching hospital (but not sure). Either program is comparable in length, though the ASN gives you more hands on, while the ABSN is obviously fast track and more book knowledge than hands on. Also, we have 3 major hospitals here in this somewhat small city: a teaching hospital, a VA hospital, and a privately owned hospital (still very popular). Normally, clinicals from the ASN program take place at one of these 3 hospitals. But I am beginning volunteer work in NICU at teaching hospital this month.

My first question is, do you think I should go for the ABSN (advanced degree, my first B.A. is in Spanish) or the ASN (more hands on learning, possibly better prepared)? I just want to make sure I have a job in 3 yrs (when I would finish either program), but if I do well in school, will the degree really matter here since theres so many hospitals/doctors offices?

My next question is, what do you think is the ideal work situation for having little ones? I REALLY want to be home for them the most I can, so I am willing to work nights, or days they might be in school, but I know schedules can fluctuate A LOT and I dont think this would be good for my current situation with little ones. Would a PRN position would be better? I know this thread might sound a little silly and contain a lot of questions, but I am really new to all this and the few nurses I know think Im crazy for going to school with little ones, and wont give me much information or advice except NOT to do it :( I have a passion for it, am working hard and getting A's, and my husband supports me 100% in all this. Please help! Thank you for your comments :)

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I forgot to mention im currently a stay at home mom, former HS teacher :)

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I'm a mom of four, they were small when I was in school for nursing, it will be a lot of hard work on your part, if you can manage your time you should do fine, if you are new to nursing i would suggest you take the ASN to better prepare you for working with patients and you will learn better with hands on its similar to OJT. getting your BSN after your ASN should only take a year or so and can be done completely online, you work at your own pace without having to attend via a classroom.

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Take a part-time position if it is possible, maybe 20-30 hours a week.

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I'm right there with you--I'm a mom to two littles (ages 2 and 6) with another one on the way. I've been a nurse for 2.5 yrs. I find working nights gives me more time with the kiddos. Basically, I sleep from 8-2pm when I'm working, have my kids home by 3, and leave again by 6pm (so about 3 hrs/day when I'm working, and yes, I am tired!) If I worked a 7a-7p I wouldn't see them b/c I'd leave before they were up and get home as they were going to bed.

PRN is a great option (I'm about to start doing that myself) but you will probably need a minimum of one year experience. I'm about to switch my schedule to Sat/Sun nights only (PRN) so I can be home during the week w/ the kiddos (my husband will have them on the weekends, so we can stop paying for childcare!)

When I was in school I did a lot of my studying after my son went to bed (I was pregnant w/ my daughter.) On the weekends, my husband would take him out to the park/zoo/something and give me a good chunk of time to study, then I would have some hands on time with him (my son) when he got home. I'm going to be honest with you, I had NO social life and didn't have lots of "quality time" with the husband in school, but I did graduate with a 3.66 and am a successful nurse. (You will get through it!)

I agree--get the ADN so you can be working/making money, and go back for the BSN when things settle odwn.

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Specializes in Psych ICU, addictions.
My first question is, do you think I should go for the ABSN (advanced degree, my first B.A. is in Spanish) or the ASN (more hands on learning, possibly better prepared)? I just want to make sure I have a job in 3 yrs (when I would finish either program), but if I do well in school, will the degree really matter here since theres so many hospitals/doctors offices?

My next question is, what do you think is the ideal work situation for having little ones? I REALLY want to be home for them the most I can, so I am willing to work nights, or days they might be in school, but I know schedules can fluctuate A LOT and I dont think this would be good for my current situation with little ones. Would a PRN position would be better? I know this thread might sound a little silly and contain a lot of questions, but I am really new to all this and the few nurses I know think Im crazy for going to school with little ones, and wont give me much information or advice except NOT to do it :( I have a passion for it, am working hard and getting A's, and my husband supports me 100% in all this. Please help! Thank you for your comments :)

A cautionary word of advice: no one knows what the job market will be like in 3 years. Three years ago this job market was supposed to get better for new grads and it hasn't really happened yet. So that being said, whatever degree you decide upon start the networking as soon as you start school. Also, if possible, try to get a part-time or per-diem CNA/PCT/NA position in a hospital during the last half of your program. I know with three kids it'll be tight, but not only is it healthcare experience for the resume, it may give you an advantage when applying for nurse jobs in the hospital you're working in. It's not guaranteed but it can help.

As far as ideal schedules...almost all hospitals and acute care facilities will require you work at least alternating weekends as well as a selection of holidays. While I and my 6 year old can symphatize, the "I have children" excuse doesn't go over very well with nurse managers--or your coworkers--when it comes to asking for certain schedules or to get out of working holidays.

A lot of facilities have waiting lists for day shifts; new grads are at the bottom of the seniority list, so the odds of you walking into the perfect daytime schedule are slim. Also, more facilities are changing to rotating schedules, where you work a few weeks day shift, then flip to nights for a few weeks. Working PRN would allow you flexibility in scheduling since you put in what you are available for; however it does not guarantee hours so there may be periods where you aren't getting many--or even any--hours.

Clinics or doctor's offices may be your best bet if you want to work the same hours as your kids are in school, but it's not easy for new grads to get in there because they prefer experience. Also, a lot of these places prefer LVNs or MAs because they are cheaper.

When I graduated, my 6 year old was 3. I worked PRN day/evenings for a year, scheduling the evenings for the weekend when my better half was usually home to watch him. Then my better half was deployed, so like it or not I had to shell out for childcare. I did a lot of research and found an in-home childcare provider who treated my son like family. So it is possible to do it.

Sorry if I sound like a downer, but you should be aware of what you've got to deal with. It is very possible for nurse/moms to work as nurses but it may take a little creativity and compromise on your part.

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