Knowing what you know now...would you wait until your children are older to begin a nursing program, or do you feel you should of done it while they were younger?
I have almost 2yr old and a baby due in a few weeks. Im a Work at Home mom..but plan on being a SAHM in March.
I am planning on applying for a fall program...kids will be 2 and baby around 9mths.
I keep getting conflicting advice on whether I should go in the fall..or wait until the baby is at least 1...granted..all this advice is coming from ppl who have never been in a nursing program :) I will admit that I am wary of starting when the baby is so young..but it has pros and cons...
So please give me YOUR advice, Im open to all opinions. thank you
In response to your question about support, yes I have an amazing husband who is incredibly supportive...I think he cooks and cleans better than I do..haha. And he is a great dad who is always ready to take care of them on his own if I need to get anything done in the evening. I think it was you that posted about having clinical 1 day a week and class 2 1/2 days a week?? So will you be part time then? The full time schedule at the tech school I am at is 2 clinical shifts a week for 6 hours a shift and then 2 1/2 days of class. Maybe the clinical shift at your school is different or for a different number of weeks to get in the full time hours. Also, about just giving it a try and quitting if it is too much...does anyone know how long classes are good for? I am wondering this for myself as well. I am seriously thinking about being done after this semester and putting it on hold for a few years, but I need to make sure that I don't have to start all over! It sounds easy to just try it, but imagine going for a semester or year and then having to do that all over again! I just feel like everything in my life right now is done half way and I hate that. It seems like school always has to come first because not passing classes isn't really an option. And I feel like in nursing there is no just getting by because that means that you won't be as good of a nurse when you get done. This means looking up information in your "spare" time, staying longer at clinicals and class, going into the lab to practice skills, being in study groups, doing group projects, not to even mention the reading, papers, etc. It is NEVER just the time in class/clinical that it says on your schedule. School comes pretty easy to me and so I never imagined that I would have to do this much work to get really good grades. I thought the A&P;s and micro were a breeze compared to classes like Pharm. Can I ask what the rush is if money is not an issue? Why not have both--the SAHM thing for a few years and then your nursing career? I do somewhat understand wanting to get going on it though. I know that when I make a decision about something that I want, I want to get going on in right away! :) It is exciting to think about a new career and passion. For me though, the thing that I have wanted most since I was pretty young was to be a mom and I know that I will regret letting anything get in the way of the type of mom that I want to be. Life is just way too short and my children young for only so long. The full-time students/moms that are in class with me just seem so stressed out, just trying to survive. BUT this only MY opinion. Obviously everyone is different, each person has their own stress level that they can handle and everyone has to make decisions based on what will make THEM happy and what is right for their family and their lives. I know that you will make the choice that is best for you!
The clinical shifts are 12 hours *pretty sure* one day a week. Class 2-3x's a week depending on the semester, but they are over with by 1pm. This is considered full time for the ADN program Im applying too, they dont offer part time.
Im not sure how long the classes are good for....hopefully someone can answer that because im curious as well.
Honestly, I dont really know why i feel this rush to go to nursing school, I just do. I started straight out of hs, went 2yrs, quit to get a "real job" went back a few years later, was accepted, had to decline because of money issues, focused on just having a family for awhile....but now I feel an urge to do this for myself...it feels unfinished right now.
I know that I dont want to wait another 6 years before I get into a program, that is not at all what I want..Im willing to put it off for 2yrs max...that would give me enough time to get all my BSN pre reqs out of the way if I did just one a semester.
Specializes in Critical Care; Cardiac; Professional Development.
I echo to do what feels right to you. There a hundred different ways to parent. Not everyone gets their life's fulfillment from staying home. It is more than okay for you to go to school while they are small. It has its challenges, but so does doing it while they are older.
I echo to do what feels right to you. There a hundred different ways to parent. Not everyone gets their life's fulfillment from staying home. It is more than okay for you to go to school while they are small. It has its challenges, but so does doing it while they are older.
Thank you.
I've been a stay at home mom for 2yrs now..only getting out of the house 1x a week for the most part because I also work at home 40 hours a week. I LOVE my child..love spending time with them...but I find myself going stir crazy lately.
we had difficulty conceiving children and went into massive debt to even have the chance to become parents..so believe me..I very much love and want my children and do not see them as a burden. I just want the best of both worlds it seems...
I agree with RN2BDFW--definitely do what is right for you! I definitely did not mean to make you feel like you need to do things the way I would do them. I was only giving my OPINION...and during a very stressful few days I might add :). Just because that is how I feel doesn't mean that is how you will feel when in school. Everyone handles stress differently and it may just be that I don't handle it as well as others might. I think that having a 12 hour clinical might be nice rather than going twice a week. It will be a long day, but honestly you are so busy that time really flies by and then you won't have to spend time driving to and from clinical twice. You sound like a motivated person who really wants to be a nurse so you may go for it and love it and be happier because of it. I definitely hear you about going stir crazy. I definitely remember feeling that when my kids were under 2 especially. So I in no way was implying that going to school would make you less of a mom. I am just trying to figure out what works for me and my family, and I am sure that whatever you decide to do you will be a rockstar :)
I agree with RN2BDFW--definitely do what is right for you! I definitely did not mean to make you feel like you need to do things the way I would do them. I was only giving my OPINION...and during a very stressful few days I might add :). Just because that is how I feel doesn't mean that is how you will feel when in school. Everyone handles stress differently and it may just be that I don't handle it as well as others might. I think that having a 12 hour clinical might be nice rather than going twice a week. It will be a long day, but honestly you are so busy that time really flies by and then you won't have to spend time driving to and from clinical twice. You sound like a motivated person who really wants to be a nurse so you may go for it and love it and be happier because of it. I definitely hear you about going stir crazy. I definitely remember feeling that when my kids were under 2 especially. So I in no way was implying that going to school would make you less of a mom. I am just trying to figure out what works for me and my family, and I am sure that whatever you decide to do you will be a rockstar :)
you didnt come across as telling me what to do..so please dont worry!! I didnt take offense to any of it, I want to hear all sides and all opinions.
My kids were exactly the same age well 2yrs and the other 10mo when I started!! I'm not going to sugar coat it it is hard work and there are times I just want to hang with my kids and they just want their mommy!!! But... I'm so happy I'm getting it done now because our lives will be so much better in 5 short months!!! It's been a challenge but it's goes by so fast and is so worth it!!! The kids give me so much ambition, they are my absolute driving force!! I see things getting busier with them when they're older (sports, homework, etc) so I'm glad I'm doing it now!
The trick is to be super organized! I do schoolwork everynight after they go to bed and I get out of the house for a few hours on the weekends to study. I get to school early if I can to do some reading and take advantage of every free moment I have! Once you get a system down it's not bad!!! Getting into the swing of things, and getting your family into the swing is the hardest part!
I have a two year old and we will be trying for #2 before Nursing school is over. I would rather do nursing school now because I feel like they will be too young to remember any of this and I would rather just get it over and done with to be honest! I was also worried that if I waited until my kids started school, once they started, something else would come up that would cause me to postpone school again and I didn't want that. Are there any night programs in your area that you can apply for? I go to a nights and weekend program and it has worked out great. I still get to spend days with my daughter and I study during nap times, while we're at the park and after I get home from school at night. It's a challenge for sure and it takes a lot of time management but I have all A's so far so it can definitely be done.
do it now.. they won't remember you being gone, and the practice studying in a chaotic environment comes in handy when you are on a busy floor!
I have 4 kids 2 middle school 2 toddlers. its a challenge and I have been known to study in my car but I am looking forward to being able to work 3 12 hour shifts and be home with them for 4 rather than 2 days a week.
CNM2B201?
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The clinical shifts are 12 hours *pretty sure* one day a week. Class 2-3x's a week depending on the semester, but they are over with by 1pm. This is considered full time for the ADN program Im applying too, they dont offer part time.
Im not sure how long the classes are good for....hopefully someone can answer that because im curious as well.
Honestly, I dont really know why i feel this rush to go to nursing school, I just do. I started straight out of hs, went 2yrs, quit to get a "real job" went back a few years later, was accepted, had to decline because of money issues, focused on just having a family for awhile....but now I feel an urge to do this for myself...it feels unfinished right now.
I know that I dont want to wait another 6 years before I get into a program, that is not at all what I want..Im willing to put it off for 2yrs max...that would give me enough time to get all my BSN pre reqs out of the way if I did just one a semester.