Combining academic studies with family life: Insights from ultra-orthodox nursing student-mothers with four or more children.

Background: There is a paucity of research examining how student-mothers in nursing school, who have four or more children and come from traditional societies, are able to navigate between their studies and motherhood. These mothers are expected to juggle their studies, while handling their household responsibilities, caring for their children and working to provide for their family.

Methods: This qualitative phenomenological study aimed to understand the motivations, challenges and inner conflicts faced by ultra-orthodox nursing student-mothers with four or more children. This study also seeks to ascertain whether or not these mothers identify positive aspects of being a student-mother, as well as their coping strategies in this dual role. The students were interviewed, and these conversations were transcribed for content analysis.

Results: A total of 14 female ultra-Orthodox students participated in this study. The students were interviewed, and these conversations were transcribed for content analysis. Two primary categories and several subthemes were identified: 1. Motivations to become a nurse (emotional motivations and practical motivations); 2. The nursing student as a mother (school-life balance challenges and confronting motherhood challenges during nursing school). These themes detail the lived experiences of nursing student-mothers.

Conclusions: Greater sensitivity to the challenges faced by student-mothers will foster a higher level of academic, emotional, and financial support to help the students increase their chances of attaining their nursing degree.