Nursing/Pre-nursing student mamas? - Page 2

[prothyraia]

I have a 4 year old, a 2 1/2 year old, am 7 months pregnant, and partway through the intensive 12 month RN portion of a graduate entry program in nursing.

So, it can be done, with a lot of support and motivation.

Originally Posted by aoknyc 

Hi nursing student mamas!

I see that some of you are going back to school with a young baby at home. Great to see that! I have been wondering if I am crazy to consider it. I am finishing pre-reqs and planning to start a DPT program (doctoral physical therapy degree -- 3 years full-time) in Summer 2012 with a 14-month old...but then I've been thinking that maybe we should try for another baby before I start school (and delay starting until 2013). I've heard DPT school is grueling even without kids (it includes winter and summer semesters; students are discouraged from working)...also I'm already 31, so waiting till school is done is iffy too (I'd be 36 or 37 years old for my 2nd).

Any thoughts, mamas?

:)

Adrienne (due in 5 weeks and taking this Spring semester off)

[purplevega]

Hi everyone,

I am half way through my RN and am sooooooooooo happy to be on the down hill. I just got hired as a nurse intern at a local comminity hospital on the oncology floor. Nice to meet other mamas going through the same craziness as me.

kim

[PeacefulSeams]

Awesome thread! I am on my first semester of my pre-reqs. I have a couple to do before I even get on the wait list. Then I have to take the TEAS test. I am already a CNA so I have plenty of experience there. I am glad I got it beforehand.

[aphel]

Originally Posted by prothyraia 

I have a 4 year old, a 2 1/2 year old, am 7 months pregnant, and partway through the intensive 12 month RN portion of a graduate entry program in nursing.

So, it can be done, with a lot of support and motivation.

Inspiring! Thanks for sharing!

For a long time, I was constantly stressing about timing and babies and semester breaks and yada yada. We have some fertility issues and I'm finding that I'm really not comfortable delaying any pregnancies until our family is complete (assuming we can get pregnant on our own!). So we're just going to go for it, I think. Babies, nursing school, bring it on!

[prothyraia]

Originally Posted by aphel 

 I'm finding that I'm really not comfortable delaying any pregnancies until our family is complete (assuming we can get pregnant on our own!). So we're just going to go for it, I think. Babies, nursing school, bring it on!

Thinking about it, there was a point when I decided that we could either choose to fit our child-bearing around what was going on in our lives, or choose to fit our lives around our child-bearing.  We went with the second- it's a heck of a lot messier, but we'll make it work somehow!

[Starlit]

Student nurse mama here, too!  I just got accepted into the BSN program for Fall 2011  ... two weeks after I found out I am pregnant with TWINS due October 4th. 

I'm freaking out a bit... wondering if my school will be willing to defer my acceptance until winter semester, and if not, what I will possibly do?!?! 

I worked SO HARD to get here and can't bear the thought of going through the application process again!!

[mamamoo]

I am on the way to nursing school too. I have 7 more prereqs to take first though. My long term goal is to be a lactation consultant. I wonder though if I will find something I love even more when doing clinicals. I'm very excited and start next month with chem. After the first quarter I will be taking 2 classes a quarter so will be done with prereqs about this time next year.

[LacieD]

Huge hurdle #1 was no problem at all, thank goodness!  I had to take a math placement test in hopes of not having to take a math class alongside my Bio class this summer and I've been dreading it for 9 months now.  Finally took it Friday because registration is Tuesday, and I passed with flying colors!  Woohoo!  

I'm still debating whether to take the 3 week condensed class for Bio this summer, or the 2 month regular class - the 3 week is 8-2:30 M-Th and 8-noon Friday; the 2 month is 8:30-11:30 or noon-3, M-Th.  I'm really leaning toward the 3 week class - either way I'm going to have class almost every day, but at least with the 3 week class it's over and done with and I'll have the rest of the summer off.  The huge con of the 3 week class is that it starts 5/16 as opposed to 6/6, and I'm due 5/7.  My other kids were both 38 weekers so I'm going with the assumption that this one will be as well, but who knows?!

[kythe]

Well, I've been undecided for some time now about going back to nursing school.  But I was in Borders today looking at their closeout sales and I couldn't resist picking up an NCLEX-RN study guide for 40% off.  I guess that means I'm still interested in pursuing a higher degree. :)

And speaking of books, now is a great time to buy some of those expensive textbook supplements for discounted prices at Borders since they are going out of business.  I will say though, my local Borders was already fairly picked through.  There's not much left.

[aphel]

Originally Posted by LacieD 

Huge hurdle #1 was no problem at all, thank goodness!  I had to take a math placement test in hopes of not having to take a math class alongside my Bio class this summer and I've been dreading it for 9 months now.  Finally took it Friday because registration is Tuesday, and I passed with flying colors!  Woohoo!  

I'm still debating whether to take the 3 week condensed class for Bio this summer, or the 2 month regular class - the 3 week is 8-2:30 M-Th and 8-noon Friday; the 2 month is 8:30-11:30 or noon-3, M-Th.  I'm really leaning toward the 3 week class - either way I'm going to have class almost every day, but at least with the 3 week class it's over and done with and I'll have the rest of the summer off.  The huge con of the 3 week class is that it starts 5/16 as opposed to 6/6, and I'm due 5/7.  My other kids were both 38 weekers so I'm going with the assumption that this one will be as well, but who knows?!

So, I usually have to say that the faster you can get a class done, the better. But that is an awfully new baby! I took a whole semester off after S was born, but I don't think I would for future kids. Just my two cents!

I see we are in the same-ish area. I'd love to know what programs you are looking at (and feel free to PM me if you don't want to post the info up here). I was just saying to one of my classmates that there should be an entire class on just choosing a nursing program . . . . there's a lot out there.

As for I, I am going back to studying for my Micro midterm. Right now. I swear. In just a minute . . . .
 

[LacieD]

I'm doing my prereqs at McHenry County College and will likely do the nursing program there as well.  I'm considering doing the RN-BSN bridge program at NIU after a couple of years - probably when this baby starts school.  

[ishereal]

Hello! I am a pre-nursing student attending TWU, I am so excited, I am in my 2nd semester of my first year. I feel a bit silly being an "older" freshman but o well :) 

[ishereal]

This is my sentiment exactly, I realize how fascinated I am with microbiology and am considering other things I could incorporate with nursing. 

ETA: This is in response to PeacefulSeams..

[ishereal]

nm

[aphel]

DONE WITH MIDTERMS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sorry for yelling, but oh my. That was intense.The prof I have for micro is notorious for her midterms. Some of the 2nd year ADN students have said that her midterm is the toughest exam they have taken, including nursing exams. At last it's behind me now. The final is supposed to be easy-peasy, so I can finally relax a bit.

LacieD - I'm at CCC, and I've looked into NIU as well, though I think I may skip CCC's ADN, do my gen eds, and then apply to NIU (among a few others) for the traditional BSN. We'll see  . . . .

[ishereal]

Originally Posted by aphel 

DONE WITH MIDTERMS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sorry for yelling, but oh my. That was intense.The prof I have for micro is notorious for her midterms. Some of the 2nd year ADN students have said that her midterm is the toughest exam they have taken, including nursing exams. At last it's behind me now. The final is supposed to be easy-peasy, so I can finally relax a bit.

LacieD - I'm at CCC, and I've looked into NIU as well, though I think I may skip CCC's ADN, do my gen eds, and then apply to NIU (among a few others) for the traditional BSN. We'll see  . . . .

Me tooo! I got a 99.5 on my micro midterm and an 87 on my A&P midterm, I am disappointed that I got an 87 but I have two more exams to bring it up to an A, which is required to get into the actual nursing program of my university.... 

[BeatriceJames]

Okay, I haven't been on Mothering in so long that my old username is defunct and I had to start all over again.  I probably haven't posted here in 5 years!  Anyway.

I am a direct-entry master's nursing student a little over halfway through a 15 month (60 credit) RN portion of a master's...does that make sense?  I'll take the NCLEX in August.  I have 2 grad courses now with the rest of my undergrad stuff.  2 clinical sections - OB and Med-Surg 2. 

I came into the program wanting to get my CNM, but have decided against it, most of all because I only want to work part time.  I just can't see putting in 5 or so more years (part time).  Also, it has been VERY difficult for me to be in my OB clinical.  There is so much crappy/abusive behaviour going on there I almost can't stand it.  I love working with the mothers and babies, but the institution and the staff make it very difficult.  I'm the one giving the hep B vax!  To newborns!  Something that I would never do for my own kids! (I have 3, all homeborn).  It is so strange!  I witness circumcisions!  Crazy. 

It has been difficult to be in school full time, as well, since I was home full time with my kids since my first one was born in 02.  Can't wait till I'm done and can work part time and take one grad class and get some of my life back. 

[prothyraia]

Originally Posted by BeatriceJames 

I am a direct-entry master's nursing student a little over halfway through a 15 month (60 credit) RN portion of a master's...does that make sense?  I'll take the NCLEX in August.  I have 2 grad courses now with the rest of my undergrad stuff.  2 clinical sections - OB and Med-Surg 2. 

I came into the program wanting to get my CNM, but have decided against it, most of all because I only want to work part time.  I just can't see putting in 5 or so more years (part time).  Also, it has been VERY difficult for me to be in my OB clinical.  There is so much crappy/abusive behaviour going on there I almost can't stand it.  I love working with the mothers and babies, but the institution and the staff make it very difficult.  I'm the one giving the hep B vax!  To newborns!  Something that I would never do for my own kids! (I have 3, all homeborn).  It is so strange!  I witness circumcisions!  Crazy. 

I'm also in the RN portion of a direct entry master's program right now.  I'm starting my OB/post-partum rotation in April, and since I'm very pregnant and planning a homebirth with a CPM.  I'm not sure how I'm going to handle the inevitable "so, where are you delivering?" chit-chat gracefully. 

I am very much looking forward to getting off the cardiac floor and onto more women's and children's health related issues, though.

[BeatriceJames]

I'm on a cardiac unit, too.  I enjoy it because it doesn't bother me as much emotionally.  The people there are actually sick and need the interventions that they're getting. 

I always tell people straight up if they ask where I delivered.  However, that would be difficult if I were actually pregnant currently.  I can ward off people's bad vibes better as a non-pregnant lady. 

[ishereal]

That is what I am nervous about, I want to specialize in womens health but don't know if i can stomach the current state of the maternity care and formality in this day and age..