Should I wait to have a baby until after I become a nurse?

evansmum · Jul 11, 2012

OK, I know this is a personal decision, but I'm looking to hear others' stories in regards to their experience.
I'm 23 and I just decided that I really want to be a nurse. I should finish my prereqs by summer of 2013, and HOPEFULLY I can get into the nursing program by the fall.
I know how hard it is to get into the programs, but I've never been one to think about the failure part of the situation. But there's that chance that I might have to wait..
My husband is 34 and in no hurry to have a baby, but we know we want to. We both think it will be best to wait 2 and a half years until I finish nursing school (if i get in right away)
How hard is it really to manage nursing school, a part time job, being a wife AND a newborn?
I'd love to hear your advice.

I'll give you my experience:

I enrolled for all prerequisites required for my community college's RN program in Fall 2009; I believe it was five courses total. At the time, my oldest was only 9 months old. After knocking out prereqs in one semester (and getting a 4.0), I registered for all of my corequisites for spring 2010 (besides Micro and Micro lab). Again, 4.0. I had to wait until spring to apply for the RN program, since the deadline for January admission was after the completion of my prerequisites. Soooo, I took the TEAS twice, compiled my application, and submitted everything in May 2010. I was accepted and began my two year program the following August.

Literally, two weeks into my first semester, I found out I was pregnant with my second son. I wanted to die! I had no idea if I could even remain in the program; if they would be willing to work around my due date; how I would balance everything, etc... I resigned myself to giving it my all--my due date was May 7th, 2011, mere days after the end of my first year.

It certainly wasn't easy, lol. There's a running joke among my friends and I that I slept my way through nursing school--which is true for most lecture days, haha. I copied notes from friends and read and outlined my textbook like a madwoman after my oldest son would go to bed. I was often up until 1/2 in the morning, so it was very tiring whilst baking a baby.

Clinicals became more difficult as my ankles and feet swelled in the later weeks of my pregnancy. Thankfully, my uniform always fit :) Had some issues with my BP that turned out to be false alarms, but thus the benefit of being surrounded by medical professionals :)

Everyone was very supportive, including the teachers. The little baby growing inside of me became like a part of one big nursing family, and when it neared my due date, I was overwhelmed by the love that was shown to me as people have me gifts and words of support. I'm sure they also loved the baked goods I brought in on lecture days compliments of crazy mid-morning cravings.

All in all, I'd do it again--unplanned or planned. I ended up delivering on May 10, 2011--the first day of summer classes (I also completed my AA that summer). It wasn't easy, but I'm the type of person who loves a good challenge...and, in the end, I received the best reward :)

Oh, and I am a single parent. I went through all of this alone in the midst of a nasty divorce, where dad opted out of the equation in another state.

It can be done! I even breastfed for ten months, bringing my pump to school and clinicals, and nursing while at home. It worked out really well, because when I returned to school Fall 2011, I was in my maternal/child rotation.

My boys are now (almost 4) and my youngest just turned 1 in May. It was certainly the most rewarding and validating moment to stand on that stage at graduation and see them in the crowd below. I'd do it all again in a heartbeat.

Some may try to discourage you, but only you know your resiliency. I say go for it :) I wish you the very best!

Dynamic, dynamic, dynamic...dream big, achieve all things!