Those with kids

[nocheapones]

Just wondering how many of you have kids while you are going through your pre-reqs/nursing school? Especially young ones. I am kinda nervous about doing this with two young kids, but judging by the screen names I'm seeing, there are alot of you going through this with at least one kid. How's it been for you so far?

Also, just wondering about age. I'm 23. I'd love to talk to some other moms (or dads!)

[2boysmom84]

oh wow im glad i saw this. i too am 23, and have 2 toddlers, 3 and 2, they are 15 months apart!! i am with the father, so he will be supporting us while i am in school. i am starting this Jan,but im afraid at what i may have gotten myself into.

ill be in prenursing 2 days a week from 9-1, so thats not bad, but when i finally get into the RN or LPN program school will be much more demanding!! they will be in school by the time i hopefully get in, but i still worry as well!

[Cee_Lee_78]

I just turned 30 years old this previous summer. I have 2 boys: Oldest turned 5 and my youngest is 16 months. Before I had my youngest I crammed a lot of the general ed courses that are either not a prereq and/or not calculated for acceptance into a nursing school. Now, I just need to finish one more A&P and my Micro before applying so I made it fairly easy for myself.

Going to back to school, after barely graduating from high school, has been the most challenging thing I have done. I say challenging but I do not say hard. I have stay organized, used all of my resources available and took advantage of family wanting to have the my boys over their house. Family support is definitely key but I got to school with plenty of parent-students that are getting by with out it. And I can't not forget to mention my husband, he has been highly supportive. I made an agreement that he can take a few months off once I begin working.

The one thing I do have to be thankful for is my children. Having birth to them, nuturing them and watching them grow has helped me with a lot of my prereq courses. They also motivate me and I inspire them. My oldest asks to watch me and wants to learn anatomy with me.

It is not easy but it is aboslutely a blessing in disguise being in school for a nursing career. I wish every one the best. The hard work is going to be rewarding for all of us.

[possiblefuturenurse]

I am 25 and applying to 2 different nursing programs for the fall 09. I have 3 children, ages 7 6 & 3. I am going to be honest with you..w/out my husband there is no way I could do it! I really don't think so anyway.

I had to quit my fulltime job of 7 years to finish school so he is left w/ all of the bills and helping me w/ the kids!

[c_white1]

I have a 6 yr old and a 17 yr old. I'm just about done with my pre-reqs and I'm waiting to hear about acceptance into a nursing program. I originally looked into starting when my youngest was about 2 or 3 and I decided it just wasn't doable. I didn't have childcare set up and the program I was looking at was really far from my house. It would have been too much. So I decided to wait until she started kindergarten to go back and start my pre-reqs. It's been hard at times, but I love all that I'm learning, and I think that my youngest is really proud that her mom is going back to school to become a nurse (she loves telling people that someday I will be a nurse).

Good luck! You can do it!

[butterfly135]

i am 29yrs old, i have 3 kiddos, 5, 2, and 1. life is definatly not dull. i am finishing up my first yr of prereqs i have i more yr left. my husband has been a complete blessing and with out him i don't know if my dream would be able to be accomplished. since i only work weekends i can devoted nap time and after bedtime to studies. i wish everyone the best. i will pay off in the end. good luck

[theksmom, ADN, BSN]

I haven't read many of the other posts, but I'm sure they all say the same things. You can do it! I have an 8 and 3 yr old and it gets hard, but you can manage. If your children are older they will understand better if you explain things to them. Incorporate them in as much of your program as you can. If they are little, let them feel like they are doing their work along with you. You may pull some midnight hours in order to get your work done, but remember this. The best advice anyone ever gave me is that as long as you stick to what you're doing and be dedicated you are being the best example your kids will ever see. Hang in there!:loveya:

[nrse2bn10]

hi I am a single mom of 3(16 yr special needs boy, 14yr boy, 10yr girl. work :smiletea2:part time(lots of coffee) and go to school for the pre-reqs.

[One Scrubbin' Mama]

I have five children ages 4-12, one is autistic ( I homeschool them during the day...school at night and weekends...work overnight). Life can get very crazy, and hard...oh, so hard, but remembering that I am doing this for them, and that someday this will make our lives better, I realize that I CAN DO IT! Good luck...you can do it!

[mama_d, BSN, RN]

/wave

I've got four (ages almost 12, 10, 9, and 2) and am doing pre-reqs, thinking about doing EC for the rest of my bridge. I'm working full time as well.

I just thank my lucky stars that I'm a pretty fast learner. And that my 2 year old is easily occupied by both SpongeBob and a stack of index cards and markers.

I keep telling the older kids "this is why you do school first, kids later...don't do it the hard way like I did."

[travisandjamie01]

I am 25 and I started my pre-reqs a year ago when my daughter was almost 5. It is very hard when she tells me she does not want me to leave. But I tell her why I am going to school and what days I will be there, now I swear she knows my schedule better than I do! It is very hard but can be done.

[Muttlover]

I'm 45 and have been working on my pre-reqs for quite a while. I've taken them slowly to keep my grades up. When my youngest son was 5, I went back to school. I'm happy to say I'm on my last pre-req with a really decent GPA. It is not easy by any means -- but it is doable. Try to meet other moms at school. You'll share some laughs, but get some great insight and support on how to do it. I've learned to let the little things go -- sacrifice some things that aren't important and keep my long -term goal insight. Lots of luck to you!

[FutureNurseMG]

WOW! You guys are very inspiring. I'm 23 w/ a 7 month old. Planning on working but only part time during nursing school. I'm nervous, but like someone else had said, it can be done.

Oh! And the other day I was at a scrub shop and saw a set for a 12 month old that said Nurse in Training. Can't wait till my beautiful daughter is a year old! I can't wait to get them for her, or until she says she wants to be a nurse just like mommy!!!