Nursing school while in a sorority

Kuriin, BSN, RN · Oct 6, 2013

It's totally doable. I would, though, recommend a nursing sorority. Nothing worse than joining a group that has absolutely no idea how busy nursing students are.

elkpark · Oct 7, 2013

Last time I taught in a BSN program, one of our students was the president of her sorority chapter during her senior year. She was able to manage without it hurting her grades (I'm not sure how she did it, having been in a sorority myself in college, long before I went into nursing, but she did). I certainly wouldn't recommend being an officer in a sorority (at the same time you're in a nursing program) to anyone, though.

chrisrn24 · Oct 7, 2013

I think you would be okay! I always had free time on the weekends to have fun.

llg, PhD, RN · Oct 7, 2013

I think it would be healthy to have some friends who are not nursing students and activities that have nothing to do with nursing school. Being a "college student" rather than a "nursing student" may be a great thing for you to help keep your sanity.

However ... you will need to find out about the committments required by the sorority. What is the sorority culture like at your school? I was in a sorority in college as were many of my fellow nursing students. It was very common where I went to school -- and the sororities knew that sometimes, we had committments that would make us miss an activity. There were a lot of "serious students" in sororities where I went to school -- and they respected everyone's need to put schoolwork needs above social needs. I was even an officer (historian) ... and a "rush advisor" for my junior and senior year. However, if the sororities at your school do NOT respect schoolwork and will be angry if your school needs occasionally interfere with your availability, then that doesn't sound like a group I'd recommend joining.

zoe92 · Oct 7, 2013

I am a traditional student at a university and am currently pledging a sorority. I made it clear to my pledge educator that my first priority would always be school and they are completely okay with that. My sorority is a service sorority though so it is more about volunteering than social gatherings (although we have those too).

Like llg said, find out their commitment requirements and make sure they are somewhat flexible. At the end if the day, you are there for your studies, not just to be a sorority sister.

danedsel · Oct 7, 2013

Some can handle it, others cannot. If you're naturally very studious, it shouldn't have much of an effect on school. But let the girls know where your priorities lie and if they foresee a problem with this (as some social organizations can be quite possessive, especially with pledges).

But yeah, if you don't mind paying dues on top of other out-of-pocket expenses you'll encounter such as the background check, drug test, vaccines, titers and health insurance, go for it!

I only mention this because - depending on program difficulty - your studies might require minimum involvement in said sorority and you may not feel as though you're getting your money's worth.

Jus' sayin'...

ambitiousBSN · Oct 8, 2013

I am a traditional student at a university and am currently pledging a sorority. I made it clear to my pledge educator that my first priority would always be school and they are completely okay with that. My sorority is a service sorority though so it is more about volunteering than social gatherings (although we have those too). Like llg said find out their commitment requirements and make sure they are somewhat flexible. At the end if the day, you are there for your studies, not just to be a sorority sister.[/quote']
I am pledging the same sorority as Zoe. We are both in the same pledge class, so being nursing students is what helps when considering events and such. Like her, I've told the Pledge Educator from day one that nursing is my #1 priority and if they can work around my school schedule AND work schedule (as I work night shift on the weekend), then I'm willing to pledge. They have events that fall on nights that I work, but I specifically told them the only night I'm taking off for their events is activation in December. Sororities are great if you can find the time to have fun aside from studying, but it's important to remember that first and foremost, you're in college for your nursing degree. If a sorority is willing to work with you, then go ahead and rush! It's fun, regardless! :-)

mtcowgirl · Oct 9, 2013

I am pledging the same sorority as Zoe. We are both in the same pledge class, so being nursing students is what helps when considering events and such. Like her, I've told the Pledge Educator from day one that nursing is my #1 priority and if they can work around my school schedule AND work schedule (as I work night shift on the weekend), then I'm willing to pledge. They have events that fall on nights that I work, but I specifically told them the only night I'm taking off for their events is activation in December. Sororities are great if you can find the time to have fun aside from studying, but it's important to remember that first and foremost, you're in college for your nursing degree. If a sorority is willing to work with you, then go ahead and rush! It's fun, regardless! :-)

Thanks. Things changed I won't be starting school next semester and I am unsure of if I will be starting next fall. Hope you enjoy your sorority experience.

mtcowgirl · Oct 9, 2013

I am a traditional student at a university and am currently pledging a sorority. I made it clear to my pledge educator that my first priority would always be school and they are completely okay with that. My sorority is a service sorority though so it is more about volunteering than social gatherings (although we have those too).
Like llg said, find out their commitment requirements and make sure they are somewhat flexible. At the end if the day, you are there for your studies, not just to be a sorority sister.

Have fun in your sorority. Plans changed I won't be starting next semester not sure if I will make fall semester either. I talked to people at the college I was suppose to be going to and the sorority girls were rude and called me old. I'm only 19. Financial aid fell through didn't get enough to go to school.