Single mother and nursing student

allnurses Guide · Oct 20, 2013

First off, how old are your kids? Makes a difference in scheduling.

Words of encouragement! My kids were 6, 9 and 12 when I was widowed. I kept working nights, homeschooled, Asst. Scout Master for my son, Girl Scout leader for my daughters, chauffeur to Tae Kwon Do, music lessons, band, soccer, Little League; while doing my Masters on line. You CAN do this!

It just takes a bit of creativity, and willingness to study hard but not panic at not getting a 4.0. Expect to not sleep much for all your time in school, except on holidays. Get your kids involved by being "Mommy's patients". Practice assessments on them, change their sheets while they are in the bed ("roll this way! roll that way!"). Practice your anatomy reading by pointing out bones and organs on the kids or their dolls, and have them quiz you on it. Teach them to listen to lungs and bellies. That way you are studying and still giving time to kids. Set aside 15 minutes for each kid every evening, for that kid alone: tell me everything you did today, and what your teacher said, and what you studied/played/who you talked to. That isn't a lot of time, but it tells the kid that that time is his and his alone. Start with the youngest when you put them to bed, serially if that is appropriate for the ages.

If that doesn't work out, pick a day, make an hour or two that is only family. No phone calls, play dates, studying; just a family event. Play a board game, blast the Beach Boys and have a dance session, bake cookies.

Then when you have to study, and they need to be quiet, they know you will still have time for them.

LoveMyBugs, BSN, CNA, RN · Oct 20, 2013

I was a single mom of two when I went to nursing school. It can be done. I worked part time on the weekends. My oldest did sports and I was at almost every sporting event, although I had text book in hand. My youngest has autism and was doing twice weekly therapy.

As previous poster said, how old are your kiddos, makes a big difference, my oldest learned how to do his laundry, vaccum and do the dishes.

And I learned not to sweat the small stuff, there is a clean house and then there is nursing school clean!

Have a great support system, have your primary baby sitter, then the back up baby sitter then the back up for the back up. Know who you can call when your car breaks down

ryanalice · Oct 22, 2013

I am a single mom and am in nursing school now. Not gonna lie, it is hard! I chose to cut back on work and take out some loans. I'm not thrilled about the debt, but my kids have a lot going on right now and need me around, so I knew I couldn't work full time and be in my program. (I'm in an accelerated program.) My kids are in 9th and 7th grade. We all do homework, seemingly all the time these days. I think I'm setting a good example for them. And they are picking up some interesting health and medical info along the way, lol!

I delegated some additional chores to the kids. I told them we are a family, and we need to help each other out. They do their own laundry, take out the trash, help with dishes, and more! I am getting more comfortable setting limits, setting aside the study time I need, and asking for help from friends/neighbors/family when I need it.

If you have littler ones, I would recommend getting someone to watch them during some extra times so you can study uninterrupted. The material is hard - you will need to be able to focus without distraction. And no matter what their age is, make sure to set aside some time each day/week to put down the books and spend some quality time with them. It will cheer you all up and remind you of what you are doing it all for.