Specifics about your program

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I am ready to apply and am having a lot of self doubt. It all centers around my family. I just don't have faith at this point that I will be able to successfully get through the program with my kids. I know lots of people do it but I don't have much support and I just don't know. I'm considering changing majors over it.

I am hoping some of you can share some specifics, so that I can get a better idea if I will be able to handle the load or not. For example, what are the days and times of your program,? What are your typical out of class assignments for the week, how long does it take you to do them and for study time? If you have children, what are some examples of issues that have come up with your children during your program and how have you handled it? Did you have help with your children?

My program will look something likes this...M 8-5, T 9-11, W 6-3, T 6-3. I think it's reasonable but I still have doubts. I have had two kids with short hospital stays this year. Things like that are what I worry about. I also have been sick just this past week and I know that I could not have attended school. It took me three days to get over. I am considering changing to social work and I am really interested in it but I cannot tell if I am just getting scared and thinking of jumping ship. It's a more reasonable program. I'm passionate about both.

Any insight would be appreciated.

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.

My program was FT M-F 8a-3p Sept to July. When clinicals started in November it was 8-3 MTW and 7-1 Th-FI had some help with my son, but he got on the bus at 730A and sometimes beat me home (so he had a house key and a cell phone. I made special arrangements with administration that I could have my phone on silent after 2:15 so that I could see his text that he was in his way and when he got home ).

The good parts where when he'd start to give me a hard time about homework I could offer to trade pharmaceutical dosing calculations for elementary school math. Seeing mom do homework and the resulting report card really helped motivate him.

Fortunately I only had to miss one day of school when he got sick, and most if his sick was over the weekend (he was talented in thst the 104F fever that didnt respond to tylenol/motrin started on a Friday night, ER visit and resolved on a Minday that were both off.)

Most of our vacation days coincided (helped that I attended a public school) my mom, friends, and camp filled in on the days that I had classes/clinicals and he was off.

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Im in the lpn program. My school is from monday through thursday 7:15-3. in my mind I attend school until 5-5:30. with three kids at home doing homework there is not easy. my aunt says with them when they get off the bus from 2:30 to 6. So I put in 2-3 hours of study time in my school library even on clinical days...When i get home once they are in bed I just have to read ahead for next days lectures...It is doable depending on your childrens age. MY daughters are 10 and 9 and my son is 5. the bus picks them up in front of my house at 7am and drops them of at 2:30. My elderly aunt doesnt have to do much for them its just a matter of having an adult supervising them...so if you want to do it it is possible.

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Thank you both.

My kids will be 10, 7, 8, 5, 4. Four will be in school and 1 in preschool (it's a great place, which is great).

I am just wondering, what do you do about sick care? Do you have time for Dr. appointments and school functions (like a parent teacher conference)?

I'm starting to feel a little better about it today after talking with a friend who just went through it. Her school seems a bit more reasonable and she had a newborn at the time. I may apply there too. There are also two M-F schools with in an hour that are options.

My only problem now is that I'm not feeling that intense drive I had. I'm not sure if that is because I was so worried about getting through it that I wore myself out or what.

Thanks for the feedback!

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My school you have 24hours a semester excused now if you take an entire day off. that 7.5 hours right there. but a couple of hours here and there is okay make friends in class that you take notes from. Next monday my daughters school has a mothers day broteakfast I will be attending. it starts at 8 so i will be at school at about 10. thats just three hours of my 24. Make friends in class and get a tape recorder which a friend can record for you while your not there. doctor appointments are in afternoon or friday. i attend school m-th......

I lost the drive towards the beginning but now I love it..... but you must be sure this is what you want because without that drive you wont make it out...

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cwongsang- Thanks again for the feedback. I'm hoping I can relax a bit with summer and get it back...or not. I just can't imagine feeling this way after wanting it for a decade and a half. I think I'm just exhausted from worrying about it. I'll have to check into these schools and see what there policy is about time off. I was under the impression if you didn't come in at the right time you were out for the day.

Thank you so much for the info.

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Specializes in CNA/LPN.

My program is Monday-Tuesday 6-3 and Wednesday-Friday 8-2...it's not an easy schedule when you have family you still have to find time for. I have two younger siblings, both 2 and 5 years of age, and I am nearly 22. I still live at home while I am pursuing my career and getting my education...so it can be tough. While I don't have kids of my own, at times I feel as if I do. It can be overwhelming, but if you have the drive it can be done. I also have a fiance that I make it a habit to make sure I spend the weekend with. I have been with him for 6 years and am determined to keep our relationship healthy. It's tough, but I am managing much better than I thought I would. I am going on my second semester of the program.

Usually we do not have any homework assignments other than to study the materials from lecture to prepare for exams and to learn the material. I usually study two hours a day, and that's including the weekends as well. I spend more time studying on the day before the exams, but I try not to ever overdo it. I make myself put the books away after two hours, unless I just truly need the extra time, if I know I am struggling.

You can do this if it's truly your calling! Best of luck in all that you do! :)

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