Young mom, nursing school

richardgecko · Jan 9, 2014

I was in the same boat as you a year and a half ago.I got accepted at 20 yrs old. I was also 8 mos pregnant. I sat out so I could stay home & breast feed for 6 mos. I reapplied that next semester & sent my baby to daycare.I'm currently in my third semester of my bsn program & expecting to graduate DEC 2014.I have a supportive husband & in laws. We pay about 600/mo in childcare & we both work full time. It's not easy, but through God all things are possible!

krisiepoo · Jan 9, 2014

It's hard, but only YOU can know if YOU can do it

MyOwnBlueSky · Jan 9, 2014

Do it now while you only have one child and while he is a baby and while your mom is willing to help with child care!! I am 40 with school age children. It is way harder when your kids are in school because of their demanding schedule, their homework and projects and their sports activities etc.

203bravo, MSN, APRN · Jan 9, 2014

Do it now while you only have one child and while he is a baby and while your mom is willing to help with child care!! I am 40 with school age children. It is way harder when your kids are in school because of their demanding schedule, their homework and projects and their sports activities etc.

I have to agree --- "Life" is always going to happen.. and there will always be something.. don't keep putting off until the perfect moment or you may just miss your dreams completely. :)

RunBabyRN · Jan 9, 2014

How much longer would it be to go for your RN than your LVN? It's often not much longer.

I agree that I would do it now while your mom can watch your son. Do it while you KNOW you have active support.

Nursekidd1 · Jan 10, 2014

Thank you guys! I really believe I can get this done. I was just on the fence about doing it now however I didn't want to wait forever. Anything can happen in the future. The lvn program is 1 year and the RN program is 2 years.

Mommy_RN1211 · Jan 10, 2014

I am currently in the same boat as you and while I can't tell you how I have handled school (because I start Monday in a ADN program) I can tell you my reasoning. I have a 1 year old and I figure as hard as it will be for me to miss some things while he is a toddler I will be done with a BSN by time he is 4-5. He won't remember those memories as much as he will remember the base ball games I miss, or school functions because I have to study or go to class. It is important for me to be around when it really matters (not to say it doesn't matter now) but when he will really remember and need my presence. Hope that helps! Us mommies have to stick together.

alindberg · Jan 11, 2014

I could lie and say it's easy, but I'm all about being truthful. =) It isn't easy having kids, and it isn't easy going to school. It definitely isn't easy doing both at the same time! haha I got through almost two semesters of nursing school 11 years ago (20 years old) and dropped because of "life". I kick myself every day for doing that because I have a lot more "life" going on now than I did then.

That being said...It is more about your drive and desire than it is anything else. If you have a supportive husband and inlaws that are willing to help out with your little one, I'd say skip the LPN program and go straight for your RN and get it done! I don't know where you live, but I live in NC and there's a huge push for BSNs. So much so that a few hospitals will only hire BSNs. Or so that's the story on the street. I don't know that for sure because I've not graduated and looked for a job. BUT according to my nursing instructors they're trying to make BSNs the lowest degree level due to better patient outcomes, etc. Will that ever happen? Who knows? I don't think it will be for some time, but I'd rather set myself up for success than more struggle.

If the LPN route is your only option, go ahead and finish that and if possible, go straight into the RN program. You CAN do it, IF you want it badly enough! And I agree with a previous poster that it will be easier for your kiddo while he/she is small than waiting until school age when they're more aware of your absence. That is my biggest struggle right now and it sucks! I keep telling myself (and them) that it wouldn't do me or them any good to be in the same financial position we are in now by sitting at home. I can provide a better future if we can all sacrifice a bit now.

YOU CAN DO IT!! There's many a mommy that has graduated nursing school with children of all ages!! Some who have gotten pregnant and delivered their baby on Friday and were back to school on Monday, some with grown (high school aged) kids, toddlers, babies...and they all make it somehow! That is one thing my instructor repeats to us often - "No matter how stressed you are or how discouraged you are, remember that people pass the courses every semester and graduate the program every year. There's no reason why you can't do it too!"

Good luck!

Hibbzem17 · Jan 11, 2014

My girl will be 15 months when I start! So I'm hoping I can pull it off. This is my dream though so I doubt I'll let any challenges prevent me from getting there! Good luck

kaydensmom01 · Jan 11, 2014

I started pre-req's when my son was 6 months old, started the RN program when he was 1, and graduated when he was almost 3. I took out student loans so I didn't have to work and could spend my time with him when I wasn't in school. I did very well in nursing school- life is always going to happen and only you can decide if you want to push yourself to achieve your goals. In my opinion having a child is not a reason to settle but is a reason to push yourself even more.

Hibbzem17 · Jan 11, 2014

Good point Kaydnmom