Working full-time with three children

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Does anyone have any advice, for a working mother with 3 children who wants to pursue a nursing career? I have completed most of my pre reqs with the exception on 3 science classes. I know that nursing school requires a lot of time and studying so, has anyone done this that could give me some advice?

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Hi Tiffany,

I am not a mother of three and did not work all the time while I was in nursing school, but I have some suggestions that may help you.

-Get a nursing book either Foundations or Medical-Surgical Nursing book that may has good reviews, preferably one that is used or will be used at the nursing school you plan to go to. Study it or at least the most common nursing topics and problems like Diabetes Mellitus, Kidney Disease, Shock, MI, etc. Answer questions. Medical-Surgical Nursing and Foundations will most likely be the core of many things you will have to learn.

-Know your A&P well. Get ready to take your nursing entrance test.

-Study Pathophysiology, such as how do things link, how does the heart affect other systems, etc...

-Watch YouTube videos to help you out. Michael Linares videos helped me out a lot, especially with EKG and basic heart.

The more you study well the more knowledge you will have, and the easier it will be when you are in nursing school.

As far as work schedule, I would definitely talk to the counselor and try to reach out to professors about clinical schedules and lecture times.

I am a mother of one who was a toddler when I was in nursing school, had a husband that traveled all the time, and worked part time until my Pedi semester which was intense.

I am hoping the best for you. I am so proud of you for going to school and trying to prepare for the future! Best to you!

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Specializes in Critical Care.

It's going to be hard, but it's doable. I have a friend who is a single mom, working, with five kids, and she just got her masters. Be prepared for late nights, ingest a lot of coffee, make everything about a chance to study: lunch breaks, audio notes in the car, flashcards with your kids! Make sure your foundation is solid, really know that A&P and math and english so you don't find yourself having to catch up.

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Thank you so much for you response. It is so insightful. I will definitely be taking your advice by getting started early.

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a&csmom has good stuff.

I took after a classmate and did audio record lectures and played it back while driving in the car and shower. Of course, permission has to be taken from the instructors.

Best to you! I have full faith in you!

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Specializes in ICU.

How old are you kids? Are they school age yet? If they are that will be a huge help. Make sure you are organized and have a great support system. I've got plenty of people to help me with my kiddo if I need it. I almost had a melt down a couple of weeks ago. My ex-husband decided to go to the Bahamas, my good friend who helps out had her baby so couldn't help, my next in line people had to go to Texas, and I was thinking what am I going to do for clinical? Boyfriend to the rescue!! He lives an hour away but stayed up here on Wed. night and took my son to school the next day, drove an hour to work, then left work early to drive an hour back up here to pick my son up from school and take him to MMA practice. Things pop up at the most unexpected moments so make sure you have a great support system to help you out in place. My clinical rotations have been all over the map this semester.

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for me It's just my husband and our two kids. I had to drop physiology this semester because I couldn't handle the full load this semester (Micro, Phys and Pharm.) I have no family here and all my friends that I have met out here are just now having their second kids so I can't ask them. I do have a friend in an NP program and she told me that her parents do 80% of the parenting and work so she can go to school and study. I asked her for some tips and she said it's all about extreme time management. If you aren't organized to the minute you won't make it. This was suppose to be my last semester of pre reqs but now I have to tag on an extra semester and wait for a whole year to apply to any programs :/ it sucks but, it's because I couldn't manage my time properly. now I have an extra semester to plan and train myself to study properly now that I'm married and have kids :)

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Specializes in Neuro/ ENT.

First let me say this: GOOD FOR YOU! It takes great will power and determination to do what you are doing. :)

Now, my mom was a single mother of three children and went to school full time while working part time. I have no clue how she did it mentally, but I do know the mechanics of her situation. First, I was 12 years old at the time so I could help with the 5 and 6 year olds. She did put them in childcare as well. She also applied for all the loans she could, got all the grants she could and made sure she got the best grades she could, in order to get scholarships.

The keys things are being diligent and crafty/thrifty. She didn't spend money on anything not absolutely necessary.

Today, my mom has two more kids (five total) and has her APRN, works with a doctor and is an instructor at the private college she graduated from.

It can be done. ;)

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I have a 9 year old and 5 year old twins and, my support system is pretty good. I think the main issue for me is, my work schedule. I know a lot of people say working full-time and going to school is not possible but, I have no choice. But thanks for your advice and hopefully your clinicals go well! ;)

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