Can You Survive NP School With Kids? My Honest Experience

Deciding to go back to school is a major decision—one that often requires financial sacrifice, time, and a willingness to endure stress and uncertainty. Only you can decide whether it is the right path for you. Before committing, it's important to know yourself: your goals, your priorities, and your capacity for resilience. Timing matters, and understanding how graduate school fits into the bigger picture of your life can make all the difference.

For me, returning to school for my DNP was the hardest thing I have ever done—but it was also one of the best decisions I've made. Now that I am working full-time as a nurse practitioner while raising a family, I can say with certainty that every difficult moment was worth it. I graduated not only with the education I expected, but with a completely different perspective on stress, perseverance, and what I am capable of handling.

Know yourself first

If you are weighing an NP or DNP path, start by clarifying what you want your life to look like after graduation—not only your title. If primary care across the lifespan is your aim, compare accredited Family Nurse Practitioner programs in Arizona for delivery modes, tuition bands, and timeline before you commit—then stress-test those plans against childcare and shift-work realities.

From the floor to the DNP

Before NP school, I worked as a Labor & Delivery RN in a busy Phoenix metro hospital for three years. I worked three 12-hour night shifts each week. The schedule offered differential pay and flexibility, but over time it took a toll. I was chronically exhausted, gaining weight, and missing important holidays and family events. More than anything, I wanted a normal work schedule and better work-life balance. I had recently gotten married, and my husband and I wanted to start a family. I knew I didn't want to miss Christmas mornings, school events, or future sports games because of my work schedule.

First year: pregnancy and remote school

If you are evaluating a doctoral route like mine, comparing accredited DNP programs in Arizona before clinical demand ramps up can surface format, cost, and sequencing differences that matter when you are also managing a household.

When I started my DNP program at Arizona State University, I was six months pregnant. I had planned carefully, timing my delivery during winter break, then took 12 weeks of FMLA, which extended into most of my second semester. Fortunately, much of the first year of the program was remote, which allowed me to balance full-time school, full-time work, and all of my prenatal appointments. I also had emotional and financial support from my husband, which made an enormous difference.

After my daughter was born, I tried to return to my RN job part-time. I lasted three months before realizing I was overwhelmed and stretched too thin.

Stepping back from bedside

At that point, my husband and I made the decision for me to continue school full-time instead of slowing down. I left my RN position so I could focus on coursework and clinical rotations while adjusting to life as a new mom. Because much of the program remained remote, I was able to care for my daughter while completing assignments at home. Eventually, clinical rotations required me to be away several days a week, but family stepped in to help with childcare when I struggled with daycare. My husband supported our household financially, and I relied on student loans to cover tuition.

Childcare, flexibility, and doubt

From the beginning, we accepted that flexibility would be essential. My clinical schedule changed every semester, and our childcare plans changed with it. It was stressful—but manageable. There were definitely moments of doubt (sometimes daily), especially during the height of COVID, when completing my final clinical requirements felt uncertain.

Despite the stress, I was doing well academically, and one unexpected gift was being able to keep my daughter home with me for most of the first two years of her life. I will always be grateful for that time.

Second baby and the home stretch

The final year of my DNP program focused primarily on my doctoral project, and by then most of my clinical rotations were complete. It felt like we were through the hardest part, and my husband and I decided it was the right time to grow our family again.

This time, I didn't try to plan the timing—but somehow it still worked out that I delivered my second daughter during winter break. I had one final semester left before graduation, and most of it was spent completing the longest paper I had ever written. Traditionally, the DNP doctoral project presentation was done in front of a committee, but because it was during COVID, mine was presented over Zoom.

And then it was over.

The feeling was hard to describe—like the final chapter of a long story where the conflict finally ends and life can begin again.

Practice, fellowship, and balance

After graduation, I took my board exam, applied for certification, and started my job search. Although I was now a licensed Family Nurse Practitioner, I knew I wanted to stay in women's health. I joined a gynecology practice and was fortunate to enter a fellowship program, which provided structured training and support as a new graduate. I cannot recommend fellowship programs enough for new NPs. That additional training gave me confidence and made the transition into practice much smoother.

Four years later, I am still at the same practice and feel confident in my specialty. I now have three children, I make it to school and sports events, and I am home for dinner every night. The work-life balance I wanted is the life I have now. I am glad I did not wait to have my kids as I am ready to be done with childbearing. Not to say life is stress free, but the problems of daily work-life are less insurmountable.

Financial reality and advice

That said, NP school came with a significant financial cost. Student loans and years without full-time income meant that this decision only made sense because it aligned with my long-term goals. If my only goal had been staying home with my family, this path would not have been worth the financial burden.

So my advice to nurses considering NP school is this: know what you want your life to look like. Be honest about your goals, your support system, and your willingness to sacrifice in the short term for long-term gain.

If you have children—or hope to someday—know that it is absolutely possible to build both a career and a family. Can you have it all? Yes!

Would I recommend having two children during a three-year DNP program?

Maybe not.

Was it worth it?

Absolutely.

Explore next steps

If graduate school is on your radar, map accreditation, clinical placement support, and total cost before you apply—especially if you are balancing parenting or night-shift work. For a statewide view of APRN entry points—including multiple NP specialties—start with Nurse Practitioner programs in Arizona, then drill into the track (such as FNP or DNP) that matches your certification goals.

Image credit

Cover photograph is a stock image from Unsplash (family / parenting theme). It does not depict the author or her family.