Balancing Nurse Practitioner School/Career and Motherhood

allnurses Guide · Apr 21, 2016

My kids were older when I went back to school, so my experience may not be totally relevant to your situation. It was hard. My kids were at an age where they were more cognizant of my absence and limited availability. I missed school events and sports and that was painful. I think it may be easier when they're babies/toddlers, and you're not missing scheduled events. On the flip side, we would all sit down at night and do our homework together. School took up a tremendous amount of time and there's no way around that.

It's great that you have a supportive partner. That will make a huge difference. I didn't have that, so I still was responsible for all the day to day kid stuff. I still don't know how it all worked out, but it did. As far as part time jobs are concerned, I have seen them out there. Urgent Care clinics are always looking for people. What specialty are you planning on pursuing?

melp4 · Apr 22, 2016

Thanks for your reply BCgradnurse! I appreciate your input. I didn't really think about how it could be even more difficult once the kids are older. I am interested in either PNP or FNP, but my heart is really in pediatrics. If I lived near a big city with a children's hospital, I would love to specialize in pediatric oncology. What is more important to me, however, is finding a position with some degree of flexibility so that I can find that work/family life balance. Do you work full time? Also, did you get a BSN first or do a direct entry program?

allnurses Guide · Apr 22, 2016

I did a direct entry program. I work full time. Full time means 4 days a week, approx. 32-36 hours. I love having that extra day off for appointments, or just to relax. A 5 day work week is a deal breaker for me, and I've never had an issue finding a 4 day position. I also work per diem in Adult Urgent Care, just to keep my skills up as I work in a specialty. FNP will give you more flexibility, and you can still apply for pediatric positions.

NPOaftermidnight, MSN, RN, NP · Apr 22, 2016

I'm a part-time FNP student (6-9 credits per semester), I work part-time (40-52 hours every 2 weeks), and I have a 4 month old. My husband works full-time and is in an MBA program full-time. We are busy but not overly-stressed, we're making it work! We still find plenty of time to spend together. My parents are also very supportive and help watch the baby on some of my days off so I can get work done. What you are proposing is very doable.

As far as finding part-time work as a new grad, I'm sure it is doable but I think it could be challenging. I know at my hospital it is very rare. It costs a lot of money to orient a new graduate (I want to say it's like $50k or something close to that), so I think they are hesitant to invest that kind of time and money into a part-time employee. It might be best to start full-time and then reduce your hours after you've been around for a little while. It wouldn't hurt to call some HR departments and ask about this.

melp4 · Apr 23, 2016

Thanks for the reply, this is very encouraging. Especially that you are both in school and juggling things with a 4-month old! Props to you, that is awesome. I do hear you on the challenge in finding part-time work as a new grad. I would be totally willing to work full-time so long as the job had some degree of flexibility. I will take your advice about speaking with HR departments.

Alicia777, MSN, NP · Apr 23, 2016

I had a 1 year old and then became pregnant with my second in my last semester. I worked 28 hours a week too.

It was tough, no doubt. But like you, I had a supportive husband and parents that really helped out in any way they could. With kids as young as 1.5 years-I doubt they'll even remember any of this. Like BCgrad said its harder when your not there for the games, plays etc with older school-age kids.

Just do it, get through it, and the payoff will be being able to provide a better lifestyle for them!

Elvish, BSN, DNP, RN, NP · Apr 28, 2016

My kids are 11 and 4.5 and I work weekend option (36-48h/pay period). I've been in school since the littlest one had just turned 3. It's hard and I don't sleep much. Some days I might only see my kids for a few minutes or not at all, and bless my sweet 4-year-old's heart, almost every night she asks me if I have clinical the next day. I will graduate next May with a DNP/FNP, so I believe it will be worth it in the long run. But it's hard to do right now. Having a supportive spouse makes all the difference in the world. My husband has had to do A LOT of Mr. Mom stuff. Which is fine because they're his kids too and he's just as capable a parent as I am (sometimes more so).

sailornurse · Apr 28, 2016

I'm a single mom, started my FNP program when my daughter was about 3 or 4. Worked part time in ER/float pool about 24+ hours per week. Went to the ER my last 2 years of school, which helped a lot since not locked into 12 hours shifts, sometimes I would cover holes in the schedule, 6 hours, 4 hours or what ever, My boss would have to ask me in the mornings if I was coming on shift or going home! I would laugh at him and tell him to guess ( I figured he should be able to tell by my hair or uniform or other clues)!!!. I had tons of help from my parents taking/picking up from school, parties or other activities. When I was debating postponing my studies, my sister pointed out that she could not tell time and did not know if I had been gone for 2 hours or 12, but she would be cognizant as she got older. She was 7 when I graduated with my MSN/FNP. I taught for ten years which allowed me to be off for summer though money was tight but those summers were the best. Now at 21 she has told me that she will always remember her summers growing up. Went to Girl Scout camp 2 summers in a row, I was the camp nurse, she rode horses while I sat in the nurses cabin and gave neb treatments, meds, & pep bismol to the homesick campers.

nursemel326 · May 5, 2016

I completed NP school with 3 children under age 5 (youngest was 6 months when I started), so I know without a doubt how difficult it is. But I also know without a doubt that it can be done!! My husband and I discussed my waiting until the kids were in school, but ultimately decided they would remember my "absence" more when they were older. We also knew it would strain us physically and financially, but decided we could do anything for 2 years. As it stands, my oldest (now 10) remembers me having to study a lot, but the other 2 don't remember a thing. They only know that I now have a job I love "helping sick kids" and I am home every evening and weekend.

While in school, I worked full-time weekend option which allowed clinical hours during the week. I did most of my studying early morning before kids woke up, during nap time, and late at night once kids were in bed. If I had a big project or exam coming up, I focused on that and my husband took over dinner/ bedtime duties. He deserves a medal for supporting me during that time! Anyways, it was a hard couple of years and I lived in a sleep-deprived haze, lol, but I hardly remember it now and those temporary sacrifices were absolutely worth it!

mimicarey · May 7, 2016

Hi BCgradnurse could you PM me?I have so many questions for you about DE programs etcs.

healthyhappy · Feb 11, 2017

This thread is really heartening! I am hoping to start NP school next year (applying right now) and have a 1.5 year old. Hearing your stories is motivating :) We mamas can do anything!!!!