thinking about nursing school

tech1000 · Jun 6, 2011

I knew plenty of people who did it with kids, but they had other help or had CRAZY lives. I studied up to 30 hours a week easily, and not all clinicals will be done by 3pm. If you really want to do it, I'd find a way to make it work. I don't think it's a profession for people who don't really want to do it anyway, so if you're not that committed, I wouldn't go.

igus2666 · Jun 6, 2011

Yes, I agree with tech1000, you have to be total committed; I'm in my pre request class now & its not easy, but if this is something you really want to do I say go for it. GOOD LUCK!!!!!

Mrs. SnowStormRN, RN · Jun 6, 2011

Went to nursing school with 2 kids and during 2 semesters, a husband in Iraq and a dog. People in my nursing class still ask how I did it. It was VERY difficult. I barely saw my kids, my neighbor watched my oldest while the youngest pretty much lived with her grandmother. During the time my husband was in Iraq I really struggled, I was happy to get a low "B" in the end. My final semester seemed harder when my husband returned because he was still expecting a "wife." You know to cook, clean, and all of that. Needless to say we spent a lot on fast food and the house was quite messy. I spent most of my days in books, and clinical hours were long and demanding. So it can be done, but it is really time consuming and you must sacrifice much of your life. Pre-reqs arent as bad though. You have to organize support systems all around you before starting the program. So if youre going to do this be prepared for the strenous hours and the difficult program. Also, look at job prospects in your area too, no need for that hard work to go to waste if you wont be able to get employed. MUCH LUCK TO YOU!!!!

Crux1024 · Jun 6, 2011

Everyones time needed to get good grades will be different. I worked full time, went to school full time and had my 2 kids with me every evening b/c hubby was at work during my nursing program.

I passed both ASN years with B's and had no problem with that. Trying for an A may have literally driven me crazy. I admit I barely paid attention to my kids for 2 years...kinda throwing dinner at them and then continuing to study; tucking them in and then studying again.

Your clinical schedule may not always be dayshift and dinner may have to be cereal or sandwiches a couple time a week, but school is worth it if you really want it.

Jenni811, RN · Jun 6, 2011

Can't help you with the children thing, i'm only 23 years old and although i have a fiance i have no little ones.

But i can tell you this...my mother did it when i was in school. She attended a 2 year program. My dad had to really step up to the plate and do a lot more than her normally does. My mom worked full time, got off work at 3pm, rushed to the school to pick us up and did all our activities. She was SUPER MOM!!! she could handle it all. My dad is a physician at the hospital i work at now, so he was gone A LOT!! So it was really difficult but my mom wanted to go back to school (she already had a college degree. just wanted to do something new).

So they worked out meal plans for the week with us...my dad would help out at the house on weekends and they would prepare food for almost the entire week on Sunday and keep in in the freezer. It was things like casseroles, spaghetti already made just need to heat the noodles, homemade pizzas we froze, tacos, etc.

My mom would study while we were at soccer practice or doing whatever, get home heat up dinner, eat dinner then my dad would attempt to come home and do homework with us, bed then my mom got all night to herself. she would often be up to about 3 in the morning, only to have to get us to school by 7am. It was a crazy hectic schedule for her.

She still made time for us, and i hardly even realized she was in nursing school because not much changed other than dad being home a little more often than normal.

But if you have the support at home, the ambition you could do it. It will take dedication from you and your family. Maybe you could consider hiring a babysitter to take the kids to pracitces or to come over and just play with the children outside or something while you study for a couple hours. we a had a girl in my class that had 2 young children that did that.

lrobinson5 · Jun 6, 2011

I just finished my 1st semester and have 2 small children. It takes a lot of money for day care, juggling, and just plain winging it somedays. We also had our car totaled and I had to take the bus for the last two weeks of clinicals. I would go to the college you are looking at and see if there are parents in the program you can talk to.

1southernstudent · Jun 6, 2011

If you add another child you could be me (I'm in my last year..woohoo!!!). It all really depends on how badly you want to a nurse. There will be things to give up for a time. The studying can be rough but you can do it, the key is stay on top of it and be organized. I don't study well at night since I'm usually just worn out. I get up early before everyone else and study. I carry something to study with me at all times and use every moment that pops up. Schedules can be a challenge so enlist family and friends as a back-up plan. Work hard you'll do just fine!!

1southernstudent · Jun 6, 2011

Oh yeah....one last thing. Get every possible core class out of the way before you get to the nursing classes to make life a whole lot easier. Trust me on that one!