Starting nursing school with a 3 year old

linzipinzi · Jan 18, 2016

Wow, you should be a motivational speaker, you inspire me! :) Sorry about your husband, I hope it all works out for you in the end. All the best to you! :)

KThurmond · Jan 18, 2016

Theres alot of inspiring posters/stories on here :) I read alot when I was pregnant

linzipinzi · Jan 18, 2016

Wow, good for you! Definitely takes determination to do something like that with 3 small children! I have two older ones ages 12 and 8 and then of course, my 2 year old. All the best to you! :)

augurey · Jan 18, 2016

My daughter just turned 2 when I started my first semester. I had a baby about 4 weeks into my first semester via c section which required me to be out for 3 weeks. During that time I couldn't really do more than the assignments due. Even then my husband would have to yell at me every 5 minutes to wake up (as the pain meds made me very drowsy) while I was completing assignments. I finished my first semester with a 4.0. I'm just starting my second semester. My daughter is almost 2.5 now and the baby just turned 4 months old.

It's hard. Very hard. Having a strong support system really makes the difference. Between my husband and my mom, I don't think I could've done it without them. My kids give me even more motivation to push through, and knowing what my husband and mom have done so that I can get get through this.

It'll be hard, but it'll be worth it. I tell myself that I'd rather them be young while I do this so that they don't remember me not being around a lot or spending a lot of time studying. My husband's friend's mom is a nurse. They were older when their mom was in school, and it was hard for them when she wasn't around. I'm not saying that's true for all kids, but that's how it was for them, so, as hard as it is, I'd rather do this while they don't remember (for the most part - my 2 year old may remember bits and pieces - I remember bits and pieces from around 3-ish).

gere7404, BSN, RN · Jan 18, 2016

I've got a new 4 year old and a 6 year old, work full time and my wife works full time. I go to school full time by loading up all of my classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays, or taking online classes. It's difficult juggling everything around... I work from 11:45 at night to 7:45 in the morning and sleep in short 3-4 hour naps before and after work to watch my children while my wife is at work, then cook dinner for her before she comes home and hand the kids off.

I'm lucky, though. I'm a VA employee and we have a special scholarship that not only pays tuition for initial licensing programs like a BSN program, if I get accepted my job becomes school and I'm paid my salary to attend school and only have to work during breaks. Fingers crossed because the last two years of working around school and family has been an endurance test. Not the hardest thing I've done in life, but definitely not the easiest, either.

jjmm RN,BSN · Jan 18, 2016

I did my pre-reqs pregnant with a 1yr old, then an Accelerated BSN with a 1 and 2 year old. I also worked per diem as an aide the whole time. I had a great support system though with my fiance and my family. You definitely DON'T have to wait until he's 5...Good luck!

vintagemother, BSN, CNA, LVN, RN · Jan 18, 2016

Hi! I am a pre nursing student and I applied for the practical nursing program this September 2016. I am a little hesitant about starting this year because I have a 2 year old son but he will be turning 3 when I start the program. I have had people tell me I should wait until he is 5 and in Kindergarden. But I have been working really hard these past 2 years completing these prerequisites. I will be finished my last prerequisite next month. As I said, I applied already and I am very excited to start it. Any advice for me? Should I just go ahead and start the program this September or should I wait a couple more years?

I chose not to wait. I started my prereqs when my youngest was 4. As long as you have adequate childcare lined up, you'll be fine.

I'm not sure if nursing school is easier just because your kids are in school. For example, in my case, I have to secure childcare that is willing to drive him to school and pick him up. Whereas, if I had a younger child, I wouldn't need transportation services.

Nursing school is a long path. The positive thing about starting while your kid is younger is that you'll be finished sooner.

As for me, I stared prereqs with a 4, 10 and 14 year old. I have been an LVN for a year and a half and will finish my ADN (RN) in 4 months. I now have a 10 yr old, 17 year old and a junior in college!! [emoji38]

You can do it! [emoji4]

linzipinzi · Jan 19, 2016

Thank you for your reply and encouragement. :) And good for you for having that high GPA even while being so busy with small kids. I also have a great support system so I know I can do this with the help of my family. (My mom and sisters said they can take turns watching my 3 year old)! :)

linzipinzi · Jan 19, 2016

Thanks for the reply and the encouragement! :) Too funny that you had a 4, 10, and 14 year old when you started! Because I will have a 3, 9, and 13 year old when I start! Same age differences! Mine are boy, girl, boy. :)

gere7404, BSN, RN · Jan 20, 2016

Oh, a study tip for taking A&P with kiddos if you haven't taken it already -- get them involved in it with you. My daughter (she was 4 or 5 when I took A&P) loved me to point out the locations of bones and muscles. She still cries how she hurt her olecranon process when she bumps her elbow!

linzipinzi · Jan 20, 2016

Thanks for sharing your story. Sounds like you have high endurance considering you work full time and have 2 small kids. Lots of hard work but well worth it in the end! I plan to take 2 online courses prior to when my program starts so it will really lighten my workload. :)

linzipinzi · Jan 20, 2016

Wow, going to school with a 1 and 2 year old! That's amazing. And thank you! I have a great support system too, so I know I should be fine. :)