SRNAs with young children

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Specializes in SICU.

Just looking for some insight. I turned in my application only to find out I am pregnant a week later (just my luck). My husband is adamant that I follow my plans and said we will make it work (I told him he will be basically a single parent in gory detail). He is a very laid back guy and has a flexible job in IT where he can work from home if need be. I also have an awesome mother-in-law that doesn't work and already watches my 15 month old son 3 days a week and has confirmed she is still on board with the new baby (she was more excited than me I think). The new baby will be 6mo when I would potentially start. I will be able to spend those first six months with him/her completely between my prego leave and starting my educational leave early. I have already planned ahead and we bought a house last year which is 2 blocks away from the hospital which houses the program (classes and clinicals) that is my fist choice. I wanted to have as much balance as possible with my first child. I want this so bad, to the point where I feel bad that I am not really questioning whether I will accept if I get in!

Any words of wisdom (besides use birth control better...lol)? I really want to hear from those of you that have kids or know people with kids, so that I can really weigh the issues. Thank you!!!

:dncgbby:

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Specializes in CCU, CVR.

First of all, everyone is different. But, there are two girls in my class that have children younger than 1 yo, and they are doing fine. One of them actually interviewed on the day after giving birth. You just have prioritize and make the most of your time. You just won't be able to waste ANY time. Every minute is precious regardless of whether or not you are spending that time with your family or with your books. The most important thing right now is that your Husband, Mother in Law, and any other family member understands that you are likely going to be spending more time with your books than with your family. But, its only for a short while. Keep your goals in mind to give you motivation during your program. It is great that you are getting your education out of the way before either of your children is old enough to remember your absence. You can do it!!

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Specializes in SICU.

Thanks so much for the encouraging words! I am hoping the little ones won't miss my presence too much. I have been given the whole "good mom" speech by a couple of coworkers. Ironic thing is they work crazy midnight stretches and OT! How is that any different? (of course I just smile and nod and say "I see where you are coming from" while I am ready to spontaneously combust lol) I am looking at it as my full time job, the 5 days a week most people work. I am going to try and study for 2-3 hours after every class and then go home, eat dinner and spend the rest of the evening with the hubby and kids. I will block 4-5 hours on the weekend and spend one weekend day as family day. I am hoping that if I stay focused and balance my responsibility to my family with my school responsibilities I can strike some kind of balance.

Guess I wont know until I get there!

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Specializes in CVICU, CCRN, now SRNA.

I just thought I'd mention that I'm nearly in the exact position as you! We currently have a 15 month old son and we're 11 weeks pregnant. One small detail is that I'm a dad, not a mom. I'm applying to my first program this fall, and if I get in, our 2nd child will be 6 months old when I begin. Unfortunately, there are no programs near us, so we'll have to move whenever I start school. We're not exactly sure how it's all going to work, and honestly I'm more nervous than my wife is. I don't think she quite understands how consuming NA school is. Like your husband, she'll be handling nearly everything at home single-handedly. I imagine emotionally this could be different for you as a mom (vs. a dad) going into NA school with young children. I spend a lot of time with our son while my wife is working and it's hard for me to imagine how it's going to work with 2 kids and me gone. My wife says "go for it, we'll figure it out." So that's what I'm doing. We want to get this done sooner rather than later--our kids are little and will be less affected. Most likely they won't have any memory of it. Good luck--you can do it! :D

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Specializes in SICU.

Thanks! It is nice to know that there are other people out there with the same challenges/blessings. I believe that mothers and fathers are equally as important and have the same stresses when they have to be away from home more than they want. My husband and I have shared responsibilities equally for our son now (I didn't expect him to breast feed of course...lol). I just hope it doesn't stress him out too much.

I think when we get in (positive mental attitude in action) we might find that we have a better balance due to our necessary structure.

Good luck with your apps and everything.Where abouts are you applying? I am applying to Oakland University and keeping my fingers crossed until mid September in hopes that I get an interview.

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Specializes in Anesthesia.

Hey there,

I am a current SRNA with 4 children the youngest 22 months and was 15 months when I started school. You can definately spend time with the family as well as study. At my clinical site I currently have every weekend off from clinical, during the week clinical is Mon-Wed and class is all day Thurs and Fri. So, I usually spend 4 or 5 hours on Saturday and Sunday with the family and then study the rest of the day...during the week after clinical or class I spend about 2 hours with the family to wind down a bit and then study until around 11pm then jump in bed for a few hours before starting my next day.

The schedule is hectic but doable. It definately will be a benefit having an understanding spouse and mother-in-law. Hopefully it will remain that way once you are in school, because to fully understand what it is like, you have to be in it. Luckily I have a very supportive wife, mother and mother-in-law, so we are making it work......21 months to go!!

Good Luck.

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Specializes in SICU.

Same boat

I start CRNA school in Aug 08 @ OLOL in Baton Rouge, LA. My wife and I have two boys ages 22 months and 4 years with another boy due on 12/24/08. She is a L/D nurse of six years, so we do know where babies come from HAHA. We talked about our options like go or not to go. The only choice was to go for it. We will make it and so will you. Just part of the adventure and makes for a great story in the future. Cry for the next 28 months and laugh for the rest of you life. Good Luck and see ya on the other side.

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I totally agree with the last post. I am not yet an SRNA but am 35, just had my second child six months ago and have an eight-year-old (I'm a medical transcritpion editor and have been home all his life, so he's not happy). Although working almost full-time, attending pre-nursing full-time, and taking care of 2 little ones is a lot, think about how they will benefit when you are done with school, the whole family will! And there's no law that says if it's too much you can't take a break and go back for readmission, but if the baby is six months old before you start, I think you will all be fine and glad you made the decision to go. I just happen to have a six-month-old and freakin that I have to put him in daycare (was able to have my first home for two years, til I felt like he needed preschool) and then I thought I was being selfish going after my goals, but guess who benefits, your family! Oh, and when I told me son with a better job we could afford to go on a family vacation every year, he got so excited and asked if he could learn how to snowboard (we live in Florida), but my gosh, I thought in the end it really is the best thing to do -- keep going.

I vote go for it!:twocents:

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