Nurses or those in Nursing school!

nanabanana06

I am just getting into the thick of things with my prereqs. I'm almost done with my first quarter and have done really well. Next quarter things are getting stepped up and I'm starting in on my serious science prereqs. I sat down with my advisor to make my plan for nursing school, and everything is just hitting me at once. It's a lot of work just getting into it! Then I'll 3 years in nursing school to finish my RN and BSN. I would love to hear from other nurses that this is doable. I'm not as dummy, but had difficulties staying on task in high school, but I've grown up a lot since then. I'd love some pointers and maybe some encouragement as I embark on doing my BSN with an SO, 2 kids, 2 dogs, 2 cats, and a house to keep clean! SO is helping me a lot, but he can be stubborn and sometimes grouchy. More so when my corgmonster is being a corgmonster. I know I can do it if I keep my focus. I just need a little push. Any help is appreciated! Thank you so, so much!

Mags748

I did it in between having my kids. I already had a bachelor's in another field, so I just did the RN. (5 semesters in 19 months including summers)

My best advice would be to treat it like a job. Study away from home as much as possible. I kept my son in daycare 4 days a week and used the time I wasn't in class to study or write papers at the library, Starbucks, etc. If I had a big test coming up, I would have DH stay with DS while I went to the library. It made me utilize my study time better while having my free time be actual free time. DS was was between 1-2.75 years old when I was in school.

nanabanana06

Thats kind of what I am doing now. I spend all my time in the library working. I do some at home, but I usually lock myself in my room to do it. I have soooo much stuff to do since I'm doing my RN and BSN in a straight shot. I can do it though.

hbrooks88974

I'm in my last semester with 9 mo old daughter. It's rough but it will be worth it! Try to stay as organized as possible. Get a planner and on of the big calendars you can write stuff on. It helps! Good luck!!!

wino2006

I am currently getting my Master's in nursing. I am doing it online, full time. I work full time with 2 kiddos. This program is very doable but I don't have to do clinicals and it's competency based so I can accelerate through a lot of classes by just taking a test and proving I know the material. I know most of it because it pertains to the job I do now. It's easier than my undergrad in nursing, but I did that straight out of high school with very little life experience. I think being older and having some life experience makes it easier because you know more. I hired a housekeeper. I highly recommend doing that for your sanity. This way my weekends are for fun, family time and homework only. You just have to let things slide with everything and remember it's temporary. I have to keep reminding myself that I only have one more year of this! Good luck!

nanabanana06

wino2006 said:

I am currently getting my Master's in nursing. I am doing it online, full time. I work full time with 2 kiddos. This program is very doable but I don't have to do clinicals and it's competency based so I can accelerate through a lot of classes by just taking a test and proving I know the material. I know most of it because it pertains to the job I do now. It's easier than my undergrad in nursing, but I did that straight out of high school with very little life experience. I think being older and having some life experience makes it easier because you know more. I hired a housekeeper. I highly recommend doing that for your sanity. This way my weekends are for fun, family time and homework only. You just have to let things slide with everything and remember it's temporary. I have to keep reminding myself that I only have one more year of this! Good luck!

Thank you for this! I plan on getting my masters after this, if I'll take a few years off to gain experience before then, who knows. However, I want my masters to become a CNM, so it's set up funky. I know it's doable, it's just a huge adjustment from being a SAHM. I love it though. I seriously have been loving school. We'll see how much I still love it once I'm taking one of my science classes.

wino2006

If your end goal is a Master's, you may want to look into some programs that offer RN to Master's or CNM. Those programs offer "bridge" classes to get your BSN and tend to require less work/time than getting you RN, then BSN, then MSN. 

 I definitely have a love/hate relationship with school. Love how much I am learning, but hate how painful some of these papers can be to write. You're also setting a great example for your kids; that learning is a lifelong process and to always challenge and stretch yourself. You got this and it will be so worth it! I always thought about being a mid-wife, but my path has lead me to leadership and management. Never thought I would end up here, but I love it so far!

nanabanana06

Yeah, there's only two schools in my state that offer the CNM route. Both of them expect a BSN to even apply for the program. I'm going to one of the best community colleges in my area with a fantastic nursing program. It's just cheaper, and less time for me to work on through to my BSN right after finishing my associates. It ends up being an extra years worth of school, compared to 2 extra years to do it elsewhere. It's not really splitting them, more of an add on than just getting my RN then GTFO. :P

We'll see. It adds a lot to my prereqs. I just know the end goal will be worth it. I love babies and want to work with creating a good birthing environment for other mothers.

LightBright515

I didn't go through school with a family, but it's doable. My only advice is to truly dedicate yourself to the material in your core prerequisite classes. Life is 10x easier/better when you get to the actual nursing portion when you have that solid foundation in place from your prerequisites.

I found that for me and my learning style, it was imperative that I had a solid understanding of one concept before even trying to grasp more complex aspects. When you start studying the nursing care aspect, you don't have time to focus on the anatomy you just skid by on 2 years prior (not saying you will)...you know what I mean?

I can talk about nursing school all day! PM me if you need to! Good luck! You got this!!

nanabanana06

Aw thanks so much @brewcitygal! I'll really try all of this. Also, any excuse to get a housekeeper is good to me! Its such a huge transition for me. However, I seem to be doing pretty well now. Thank you all for the pointers and I'm excited!