Here's the background: I have worked very hard to get a 4.0 gpa for acceptance into a very competitive nursing program. I also studied very hard on TEAS preparation, also to increase my chance of acceptance into this nursing program. With my scores, I believe I will be accepted for this coming fall 2017.
Here's the problem: I have been tormenting myself over the "what ifs" of life as a nursing student while having two little children. Example: For the past two weeks we have had the upper respiratory plague circulating through our house (2 kids with 104 temps at separate times) and I am beginning to panic about how I would be managing this with school attendance/clinicals/etc.
My primary concern is missing classes and clinicals because of sick kids. I don't have anyone to watch my kids when they are that sick and honestly don't know what I will do as a student when faced with this. While doing my pre reqs I never missed one class or lab. But that was 1-2 days a week.
I will be investing a lot of time and money in this program and want to know if it's a bad idea to try entering a nursing program in my situation? I am a hard worker and not afraid of that. Just looking for some advice from those who have been there!
You definitely need to work out back up child care. I am about to graduate from my LPN to RN program and have 3 kids under 8. We have had so much sickness this winter too but I only attend class/clinical 2 days/week because my program is hybrid and 50% online. If I would have done a traditional 5 day/week program, it definitely would have been much more difficult. Do you have a partner? My husband saved up all his vacation time so he could be the one that stayed home if one of my kids were during clinical. He also works second shift so we have less of a time gap to cover for childcare.
I won't lie, it's been stressful. I am exhausted now and quite burnt out since I am about to graduate in April. But I have wanted this something awful and it's been the only thing that has carried me through. If you got that drive then you can really make anything work, just make sure you have your child care bases covered.
What everyone else already said + you'll be expected to have backup plans for your backup plans once you're an RN also. So now is a great time to use critical thinking to achieve something that will benefit your family in the long run! :-)
I want to second those who have said that now is the time to find yourself a solid backup plan for child care. Don't panic! Do something about it NOW. Whether or not your kids are sick, you may need someone to watch them to study or just find some time to do self-care so you can be your best for them. Also, just as an FYI, most programs are not lenient about missing clinical or lecture hours for ANY reason because the state boards of nursing require nursing students to have completed a minimum amount of hours in clinical and lecture. It's not schools being strict just for strictness's sake. It's a requirement of their accreditation so you need to start finding your solution ASAP.
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SaltySarcasticSally, LPN, RN
2 Articles; 440 Posts
You definitely need to work out back up child care. I am about to graduate from my LPN to RN program and have 3 kids under 8. We have had so much sickness this winter too but I only attend class/clinical 2 days/week because my program is hybrid and 50% online. If I would have done a traditional 5 day/week program, it definitely would have been much more difficult. Do you have a partner? My husband saved up all his vacation time so he could be the one that stayed home if one of my kids were during clinical. He also works second shift so we have less of a time gap to cover for childcare.
I won't lie, it's been stressful. I am exhausted now and quite burnt out since I am about to graduate in April. But I have wanted this something awful and it's been the only thing that has carried me through. If you got that drive then you can really make anything work, just make sure you have your child care bases covered.