Young mom & pre nursing student

RedhairedNurse2Be · Jun 5, 2012

I can kind of relate to your situation. I have a 2 and 3 year old. I know what's it like to balance school and a family life. Luckily my husband has a good paying job so I don't have to work now, but a couple years ago that wasn't the case. I had to work to help support the family, and I had a job where I worked anywhere from 10-40 hours a week, various shifts. School was not even possible at that job.

I'm sure you will do fine. You just have to find balence. My biggest struggle has been trying to give each of my kids one on one time with me. Good luck and keep your eyes on the prize.

Hellooo_Nurse · Jun 5, 2012

Hi I am 21 and I have a 3 year old daughter and recently engaged! I am doing my pre requisites for the nursing program at my local college. But find it so hard and sometimes overwhelming due to my busy life. This summer I am currently taking anatomy&physiology part 1 and general chemistry and chem lab because I didn't have it in high school. I am also a caregiver for the elderly. The experience in taking care of both of my great grand parents and an elderly lady with breast cancer (who all are deceased) really urged me to go for nursing! I enjoy working with the elderly. But I don't want to settle for a cna or chha I want to go for RN and APRN! It just seem so long and hard because I have to work to provide for my family. I really don't have any peers that's my age with kids that really is motivated like I am or going to school for nursing so I hope to meet some people I can relate with on here!

well, we're all friends here and now you know me and im sure half of the nurses/students on this site can relate to you as well. im 22, turning 23 this week and have a 1 1/2 year old son. single mom. not receving child support or anything from his biological father...nor am i ever holding my breath for the day... but i am making it on my own! im on to my last pre-requisite in july and then on to my program in the fall (GOD WILLING!) my friends are still partying and drinking/smoking while im reading bed-time stories and high lighting text books. some nights i only get 2-3 hrs of sleep all together. but i wouldnt trade this for anything because i have something true to work hard for... when it gets tough, and when you're feeling like you cant push yourself anymore remember why you are doing this in the first place. you want stability, you want a happy family, you want your child to have the best because she deserves it. i never want to tell my son that he cant have "that" pair of shoes because i cant afford it; id rather tell him he cant have it because he didnt EARN it. remember they didnt ask to be here...we wanted them here! so we owe them THE BEST. you will struggle for the next few years but think of how different your life will be after ONE year of being a nurse... every night before i go to bed, i visualize myself at my pinning ceremony and i picture my son's face smiling and his little hands clapping proudly because of his mama's accomplishment....GAH! i dont know bout you but i just cant wait for the day

you have me for support, we can do this. we WILL do this!

ALSO congrats on your engagment!:w00t:

Stephalump · Jun 5, 2012

It will definitely be long and hard, but when you come out on the other side, you'll have EARNED it lady! The world of nursing school is the great equalizer - if you're 18 and childless or a 30 year old mom of six or 55, we're all in it together! And odds are, you'll have all of those examples in your class, and more. Nursing is a special field :)

Just be yourself and enjoy the journey!

Eta: I know how you feel. I had my oldest when I was 18, so when I went to college I felt like the odd man out. But now he's 9 and I'm 27 and everyone and their mom has kids. It passes :)

dedicated2Help · Jun 5, 2012

:bow:You rock!

I'm 33 and wish I would have done this at your age. I had my son at an early age and now i just had my daughter in 2010. I think of what I could have contributed to his life, had I started sooner. So much kudos to you for just making this decision. If you haven't heard it yet...from one mama to another "im proud of you!" and so will your kids.

Ree_SoBlessed · Jun 5, 2012

Aww thanks guys! Your responds really made me smile and warmed my heart! It makes life easier when you have someone you can relate to on all aspects of your life. Thanks again and I look forward with chatting with you all and growing with you all!

blarrr07 · Jun 6, 2012

Hey! I can definitely relate! I have 2 young kids, work full time, and working on my pre-reqs...it's been hard, but I am finally down to 2 classes! Go for what you want and don't settle! You can do it! It feels like I've been in school forever and I still have a long way to go, but the end is totally worth it. Good luck!

ryanalice · Jun 6, 2012

Hi! I have 2 kids too and I got pregnant with my oldest when I was only 19. It is hard but you can do it. I went back to college when in my 20s and got a BA in English. My kids were 4 and 2 when I went back. Luckily they had a campus preschool on site at my school and lots of support. A lot of it was just sheer willpower on my part though! Because of everything I was going though to be sitting in that classroom (making 3 lunches, staying up late studying after my kids were in bed, etc.) I was gonna make damn sure I got the MOST I could out of it and I aced most of my classes! Now fast forward 10 years and I am back in school for a career change. Hm, doing it with a teen and preteen in tow is easier in some ways, but harder in others. My kids still need me just as much but in different ways. Anyways just wanted to say good job mama and you'll be soo happy you did this, especially doing it now while you are young. Check out a website called girlmom.com too if you get a chance - I don't know how active it is these days but back when I was in your shoes it was a great network of young, strong mamas. Good luck!

MA_Davis · Jun 6, 2012

Welcome! I haven't had the chance to talk to too many people here but I'm sure you will like them! I am another who can relate. I am 25 and I have two boys, one 21 month old and one 10 month old...so yeah lol I can see where you are coming from. I wish you the best of luck and even though I'm not there yet, I'm sure it's all well worth it in the end!

peppapig123 · Jun 6, 2012

I'm 20 and I have a 14 month old. I totally understand where you're coming from. Everyone else my age is out having fun this summer. I'm in school trying to get pre-req's done so I can apply for lpn or rn (haven't decided yet) sooner +& being a mom. I'm taking 10 cr hours this summer plus I'll be taking a nurse aide training course in july. I'm trying to get my foot in the door somewhere, plus I need to provide for my daughter. We all need to just stay focused on our goals :) no matter how hard it gets

FutureRNBets · Jun 6, 2012

Im 22 and have a 1 year old. Im not single parent but my husband leaves for a year in Cuba (He's Army) so Im sure once he leaves things will get a lot harder trying to balance everything.

vintagemother, BSN, CNA, LVN, RN · Jun 6, 2012

:bow:You rock!
I'm 33 and wish I would have done this at your age. I had my son at an early age and now i just had my daughter in 2010. I think of what I could have contributed to his life, had I started sooner. So much kudos to you for just making this decision. If you haven't heard it yet...from one mama to another "im proud of you!" and so will your kids.

Pretty much same story for me: I'll be 33 this month, had my first as a teenager and in some ways wish I'd obtained a career sooner, because it would be a little easier for me to take care of my kids in the manner I desire now. I have friends my age who have been RN's for many years now and they earn $50-$67/hr. That's my motivation and it can be yours, too.

So, I am proud of you too and want to say that you can do it!