[mtucker]

My name is Melissa and I'm new to this forum. I'm a mother of a 2 yr old girl and I'm starting my BSN program this Fall. My husband and I were thinking about trying to conceive this year. However, I'm afraid I will be too busy for my family. I'm trying to get advice from nurses who had kids/newborns when they were going through school. I also have to commute 1.5 hours for clinicals next year. Will it be manageable or should we wait till next year? Please help!

[kristycarberry]

Melissa,
I am a student nurse, but I dont have any children. It takes a lot of time. There are people that I know that have children, one lady in my last class had 6 children! I've only known a few people to get pregnant while in the clinical portion and they all dropped the program and then some started back once their child was born. While I don't have any personal experiences to share with you, I think that you should wait a while.

[HemoStat]

You need to wait my friend. I have "been-there-done-that" and although it is do-able, I don't advise it. It was the hardest thing I ever did and my family suffered in ways I'm still paying for.....

You already have a 2 year old who will not understand why you are spending time in school, in transit, studying, etc. She will not, no matter how you expain it, understand why her Mommy doesn't have time for her any more. A newborn, as I'm sure you remember, takes a lot of time and attention, and deserves to have it's Mommy during that first critical year of life.

If you chose to go ahead and have the baby and attend school, you are risking a lot. The health of the baby, your health, your money, and your family dynamics.

The decision is ultimately yours, only you know your circumstances, I only ask that you REALLY think about it before you make your final decision.

Whether you go to school and become a nurse, or stay at home a couple of years and raise your family, you are a winner. Both are VERY admirable professions!!!

Whatever you do though - DON'T CALL DR. LAURA and ask her advice!!! - She will reach through the phone and rip your gizzard out through your navel and sell it on E-Bay!!!

Let us know what you decide!!!

HemoStat

[cassioo]

I started school (pre req) with a 1 yr old, 2 yr old and 3 yr old. I worked in a factory often times 7 days a week 12 hours a day. My spouse had the same hours (same factory). When the actual nursing classes started my kids were a little older. I had a very good sitter and school system.
I luckily didn't have to study too much and got good grades in school.
When I finished nursing school I went back to work full-time (the 8 hr 5 day a week shifts for a few years) and continuted with the BSN classes I had left.
If I hadn't been in school I'd have been working so the school worked for me and my family.

[Pony Girl]

Its difficult to have one foot in nursing school and one foot in a newborns life. In order to be balanced try placing both feet in the same place.

[cassioo]

I think it's an individual thing. I was home with a newborn, 14 month old and 3 yr old and about went crazy during that maternity leave. My spouse worked 12 hr days 7 days a week or more my family was long distance and my close friends were cross country or around the world so talking to a 3 yr old about made me nuts...I didn't start school till the newborn was 18 months but after maternity leave I was back to the full time work you have to do what's right for you and your family. My adult kids are pretty normal (they do have their moments though) but I don't think it's because they were with a sitter while I was at work or school because I had a wonderful sitter who is like family 21 years later.