What I am Taking This Summer (Is it too much?)

austin heart, BSN, RN · May 28, 2005

Ah well, it was offered up to be stirred! :)
Funny, mention anything about parenting and we are "judgmental" but offer advice about how many classes to take and it is all good. Parenting is obviously a touchy issue.
All some of us are saying is that babies need lots and lots of one on one stimulation and saying that a 4 month old loves his alone time with the tv or a book and defining that alone time as up to four hours sometimes denies all research into child development.
In nursing school, the OP will undoubtedly become acquainted with Erik Erickson and there will most likely be NCLEX questions on this too . . .but his theory of eight stages of psychosocial development describes the first stage as one of trust versus mistrust (birth - 1 year). The first relationship a child has is with the parents. If consistent and compassionate, the infant develops security. John Bowlby's work on attachment maintained that the attachment between mother and child is so important that if it does not occur or is severed, the parent-child relationship will always be vulnerable.
Infants have emotional needs, not just physical ones. The famous experiment I alluded to earlier failed miserably because the children were only held when they needed a bottle or a diaper change.
Romanian orphans offer a primary example of pernicious effects due to lack of stimulation. Many stimuli deprivation studies have been performed on animal populations resulting in deleterious brain function. Romania does not adequately fund staffing for its orphanages as is the case for many of its bureaucratic institutions. Thus, there is a shortage of staff to nurture and stimulate the great number of orphans in their care. Infant stimulation is restricted to changing and feeding. However, even the feeding process is automated; the infant is turned on its side, a bottle is placed on a towel, and the child is left to suckle. The bottle is removed when empty. A study performed on these infants performed by Wayne State University, Detroit, found that Romanian orphans had dysfunction in a number of brain regions that caused both short-term and long-term detriments. It clearly demonstrates that nature and nurture play significant roles in brain development. Lack of stimulation actually affects the architecture of the brain - its fundamental wiring does not develop appropriately.
For example, a New York Times article reports: "Cultural critics in the 1920's [ ] warned against cloying motherly love, fearing it would fail to prepare children for the impersonal industrial world they were to enter. This concern paved the way for behavioralists like John B. Watson, who boasted of being able to program children as if they were microchips."
Today, we know that: "The easiest and quickest way to induce depression and alienation in an infant or child is not to touch it, hold it, or carry it on your body."
Yet, "experts" advised parents against doing what comes naturally: "Kissing the baby after it has been fed is very likely to cause it to vomit." "Never let them sit on your lap." Instead, the experts advised: "Shake hands with them in the morning."
All I'm saying is that as a nurse, if a mom came to me in a clinic with the same questions as the OP, I would, as a trained child development medical person, have qualms. She may be overextending herself school-wise. Her child being left to his "alone time" for up to 4 hours would, as a nurse, worry me.
steph
Edited to add: I am NOT saying the OP does what happened to the Romanian orphans . . .all I'm saying is that there is ample evidence that infants needs physical and emotional stimulation to make their brains grow . ... . that's all.

Very well put!

Sorry, don't feel that my post was immature in any way. I also don't feel that I am twisting your words. When you say "essentially left alone for up to 4 hours". I don't know of any other way but to think that you leave him essentially alone for up to 4 hours. I will state again that no where in my posts do I offer advice on raising your child. I also said that I do not care how you raise your child, only that I felt sorry for him. You say that you started this thread to receive opinions and validation for your summer course load, my point has always been that I can't understand how someone can NOT consider their child, especially at that age, when making decisions like this. IMO, it should be the FIRST thing to consider. I don't think that I am alone here either. I am sorry that my opinion does not meet your needs that is why it is MY opinion. If you had stated that you only wanted to hear from people that agree with your decision I would not have posted. I think that I am beating a dead horse here so you will be glad I am bowing out of this pointless discussion.

allnurses Guide · May 28, 2005

I'm sorry OP that your parenting skills are being debated on this board! You are completely correct, it is not anyone elses business how you raise you child, you do the best you can do and don't worry what anyone else says. ONLY YOU KNOW what you are capable of. I think that you have made it undoubtably clear that you DO NOT want parenting advice so respecting that I think that as long as you work hard and have a great support system you can do anything! On those loooong days that I think that I cannot possibly do anymore I suprise myself and somehow handle it. If it is in your heart you can do it!!!!!!:):):)
here are a few pointers....
1.make some notecards, those are sooo valuable, the colored ones work the best...lol...dont get the neon ones they bleed.
2.For you in class lectures, get a digital recorder and record your classes (hey maybe you and your son can listen to them together! lol maybe a future nurse!!:)) i find that when im commuting i can switch it on and listen to the lecture all over again
3.time management skillls are a must...learn to use every minute wisely
4.use this forum for school questions, there are tons of smart people on here who love helping with those hard questions
5.conceptualize dont just memorize, thats really important and down the road you will thank yourself!
good luck op!!

When someone asks for advice about going to school, I always ask about family obligations because the truth is they factor in too. Whether you have children or not, a husband or not, grandparents near by that you love and who can help out with childcare . . all of these things factor into going to school or taking a busload of summer courses.

And when someone makes a statement like the OP made about her 4 month old child "enjoying time alone" for up to 4 hours . . well, as a nurse trained in early childhood development, that sorta rings a bell for me.

I think it is honorable to go back to school and get a degree and have a career. Lots of us did it. I'm not criticizing - just making an observation that I personally think 4 hours of alone time is too much for a 4 month old unless they are asleep.

This is not meant as bashing. I'm sorry if it was taken that way.

One of the things I like about this board is how much I've learned. Staying open to advice, especially about our parenting styles, is hard but sometimes people have pointed out to me areas I need to work on with my kids. I don't pretend to be a perfect parent and am glad for advice.

However, don't anyone dare criticize my extended breastfeeding philosophy or the fact that we co-sleep. (just kidding - criticize away). :)

Honestly-no offense intended.

steph

Fiona59 · May 28, 2005

I think we need to be honest when giving advice. There are times when the "you go girl" attitude is fine and then there are times when you have to step back and look at the entire picture.

The OP has the quotation "in my own little world" on her info. Thats how it sometimes feels when users respond to her requests for information and her subsequent replies.

I think she needs to step back and think everything through. She's on a tear to get a nursing education with as little time in the classroom as possible. She admits she works and learns better alone. To get through a nursing education she needs to be able to work with people (classmates, patients, nurses on the floor where clinicals are held).

You can be as bright as a button and score straight A's but if the interpersonal skills aren't there, well.....

And for what its worth, children are only little once, you can't get back those hours and days spent studying while your little ones are doing stuff like first steps and chewing the dogs biscuits when teething. :uhoh3: :chuckle

allnurses Guide · May 28, 2005

I think we need to be honest when giving advice. There are times when the "you go girl" attitude is fine and then there are times when you have to step back and look at the entire picture.
The OP has the quotation "in my own little world" on her info. Thats how it sometimes feels when users respond to her requests for information and her subsequent replies.
I think she needs to step back and think everything through. She's on a tear to get a nursing education with as little time in the classroom as possible. She admits she works and learns better alone. To get through a nursing education she needs to be able to work with people (classmates, patients, nurses on the floor where clinicals are held).
You can be as bright as a button and score straight A's but if the interpersonal skills aren't there, well.....
And for what its worth, children are only little once, you can't get back those hours and days spent studying while your little ones are doing stuff like first steps and chewing the dogs biscuits when teething. :chuckle

This is really good advice.

I have to be honest when people ask about going back to school after having kids. Just saying "go for it" (I hate saying "you go girl" :) . . . . . leaves alot of information out.

It was very hard for me to go back to school. I was 38. My kids were in 1st, 6th and 8th grade. I waited until they were all in school full time before I applied - I did pre-reqs over a two year period because I didn't want to be gone much from my kids and the college was 70 miles away. I also had alot of my college courses finished from when I was in college after I graduated from high school - my major at that time was Social Work, so alot of the classes jibed.

Going back to school was the hardest thing I've ever done. I missed out on ALOT with my kids, their activities, home life, etc. This was also about the time my second son started rebelling and needed more stability at home and didn't have it. I regret alot of things.

I think telling someone "go for it" without telling the truth about what "it" entails is wrong.

And going back to school when you have kids and a husband or no husband is hard. Not impossible. But hard.

And if you ask for advice, please be prepared to get some honest advice.

Working together with all kinds of people is a skill you will have to learn when you become a nurse . .not only your co-workers but your patients. Keeping an open mind, not being quick to take offense, being patient with others are all things you will need desperately when you become a nurse.

The truth is however, people take great offense at any talk about childrearing techniques . . .just take a gander at Babycenter sometime. Now those women are viscious.

Honestly, what you've asked us to do is what we are trying to do. Give you honest advice.

steph

GrnHonu99, RN · May 28, 2005

Thanks. I really need to work on number 5, that has always been a big problem. I have a photographic memory, even with things that I read, so I would always go back to my memory and them try to conceptualize. It has always worked but I really don't think that it will work on the job. And number 2 is a great idea. I tried it once but it really didn't help, I hate to listen to a lecture. I'd rather read. That's why I like online classes, or at least a teacher who will provide their notes on paper.

Ah yes, those powerpoint notes are always helpful:) im much more of an auditory learner, if i can hear it most of the time i remember it....if the instructor does a good job lecturing about the subject im normally pretty good:) im in love with my little digital voice recorder lol:) Oh and I do have to agree with MTP,kids are only little once so enjoy them, which im sure that you do:) My mom still looks at me and says weren't you just born yesterday? lol...well mom that was 25 years ago...The fiencee and i want a family as soon as we get married and are financially stable (which could be never at this point, we are soo poor lol!) good luck OP!

GrnHonu99, RN · May 28, 2005

And while I'm here, is it now common to require Organic I&II as nursing program pre-reqs? Back in the Stone Age, we didn't need to take Organic. Maybe that's because carbon hadn't been identified yet...:rotfl:

LMAO...carbon had been discovered when I applied to nursing school and college for that matter but we didnt have to take it...i took both back in the day when i was thinking about med school but my nursing program only requires a year of chemistry, it can be organic or inorganic...

allnurses Guide · May 28, 2005

LMAO...carbon had been discovered when I applied to nursing school and college for that matter but we didnt have to take it...i took both back in the day when i was thinking about med school but my nursing program only requires a year of chemistry, it can be organic or inorganic...

I was lucky - my nursing school gave me credit for my high school chemistry class.

That was back in the stone age though - 1975. :rolleyes:

steph

FocusRN · May 29, 2005

Thanks to everyone that had advice to give about what I asked. Now let me make this clear if I wanted to know, if anyone thought that I could juggle my course load with my son, I would have asked, "Do ya'll think I can handle this courseload, while taking care of my 4 month old?" But I didn't, so no matter how you try to make it fit your purpose that is not what I asked, directly or indirectly. Period.

nicuRN2007 · May 29, 2005

You asked for advice and people gave it to you. I'm sorry if the advice wasn't what you were hoping for. The fact is that your 4 month old son should play a huge role in your decision. That is why people are including him in their advice to you. I'm not trying to be ugly, just stating the facts. :rolleyes:

z's playa · May 29, 2005

You asked for advice and people gave it to you. I'm sorry if the advice wasn't what you were hoping for. The fact is that your 4 month old son should play a huge role in your decision. That is why people are including him in their advice to you. I'm not trying to be ugly, just stating the facts.

:yeahthat:

Z

sunnyjohn · May 29, 2005

Sounds like a lot. If you stick to a very tight schedule and don't get sidetracked or fall behind on your reading, it can be done. Online classes often turn out to be a handful.

I like distance learning. I grasp concepts when I can get my text and go over and over them. reading is my thing.

Is there any way you can take the test for the English comp and Psychs before you get into the meat of the summer session? Say in a week or two?

I certainly understand wanting and needing to finish quickly, but you want to do well. That is key.

If you can get a copy of all your class schedules and requirements before you register and pay, you can make a timetable that will be your saving grace.

I think you will be able to figure out the best course of action for you and your family.

P.s. Thanks for the link to those classes.

Maxs · Jun 1, 2005

On the positive side the math is not against you because my calculations predict that you will have to sleep 6 hrs a day, 1 hr for your baby, 3 hrs to eat, travel, bowel, showers, brush and etc. So, you will pretty much have 98 hrs to study in a week in a period of approximately 8 weeks. SO that is non stop 14 hrs of study in a day. And my comment is to toss your ego on the side for a minute and think about wheather you can really have that much time studying every day. I am estimating 6 shots of esperesso in a day. That is almost like working double shifts. every day for 8 weeks and no offs. Since you haven't taken English Comp I, I am assuming that you have no college background. You never know, I say do it if you are this eager about so that way if someone in the near future is in need of some advice we can use this scenario as a control group. Go for it and show the people that you can do it.

Maxs