I had a reader ask me yesterday how I am handling being pregnant and being a full-time Nursing Student.
I can answer that in one easy sentence: it’s hard, but what ya gonna do? You make it work.
I am really thankful that I am in an Accelerated Program. I graduated with my first Bachelors in 2007 and am now pursuing my Bachelors of Science in Nursing. Instead of two years of dedicated Nursing courses, my program is crammed into 14 months.
That means I have more clinical hours, more classes, and more tests crammed into a much shorter time period. That means I’m a little more tired then perhaps the “traditional program” and I never feel like I am able to learn the material like I want to. It sucks sometimes.
However, I’m so thankful that I did choose the shorter program because that means that I am ALMOST done.
I am done July 31st. I’m due July 19th. The program and my instructors are happy to work with me if any accommodations need to be made. The summer semester consists of 180 Clinical Hours (which I hope will be spent in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit) . I know that’ll be tough when I am 8-9 months pregnant, but it is what it is.
I’ve changed the way I look at school. I’m much more conscious of my time because I can’t afford to stay up late and wake up early like I was in previous semesters. It means I get my shit done when it’s needed. I’m always in bed at 10:30 and I do my best to make my time count when I am awake. My body (and the baby) need as much rest as possible–especially on clinical days where I am working and on my feet. No more late night cramming for me!
Another thing that has changed is I have to be careful when in the hospital taking care of patients. Contact rooms, different diagnosis, etc have to be avoided now to keep us healthy.
It’s not ideal and I wouldn’t’ recommend getting pregnant while in school. It’s not the best option, but sometimes you have to just go with the flow and deal with what life gives you. In the words of Nike, just do it and try not to complain too much in the process.
I think that it’s preparing me for days ahead. I know that motherhood will be 100 times more difficult then what I am experiencing now.
And in the meantime, I’m enjoying my time learning and spending time with friends. It’s the last time I’ll be “in college” and I love the afternoons spent studying and laughing with the friends I’ve made in the program.
Like lunches out.
I didn’t have preplanning on Monday this week, so no scrubs for me.
Kirby surprised us with this to share at the end of the meal…
Thank goodness for Kaiser’s and good friends.
Life doesn’t end or stop just because you’re in school. And it certainly doesn’t end because you’re pregnant.
We all just do the best we can each day with the situations we are given. My situation is no different.
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