So besides nursing school, what do you all do in your spare time?

[i<3u]

So all that time everyone was telling me that I wouldn't have a life during my first year of nursing school, I kind of wish I paid them no mind

The first semester is coming to a close and I'm starting to regret quitting my job to focus solely on nursing school. Don't get me wrong I HATED my job (worked at a grocery store around the corner from my house...convenience) but I feel like I could've been a little bit more productive. I was told that the nursing program will be more stressful and more of a load next semester but this semester, I've been sitting on my butt and studying/writing care plans. I know many of you are probably saying well get of your bum and get a job then . I'm just venting. I'd really like to get started on getting some sort of volunteer experience, but I don't know where to start when none of it really has anything to do with healthcare.

When the semester ends, I can get my CNA license without taking the test, by proof of completing Fundamentals. I plan to work per diem with that...hopefully with an externship or tech position. Anyway, I hope all of you are having an amazing semester!

[ashleyisawesome, BSN, RN]

Between school and work, I have no free time! I do manage to find time to keep teaching Sunday School, though, because the time studying the Bible and preparing the lesson helps to keep me centered :) Plus, the kids help me to have a laugh (I teach 10-12 y/o).

Other than that, here's my week:

Monday - Lab from 8:30 - 12:30; Work from 1:00 - 6:00; Studying until 12:00

Tuesday - Clinical from 8:30 - 12:30; Work from 1:00 - 6:00; Studying until 12:00

Wednesday and Thursday - Lecture from 8:30 - 11:00; Work from 11:30 - 6:00; Studying until 12:00

Friday - Clinical from 8:30 - 12:30; Studying until 12:00

Saturday and Sunday is filled w/ laundry, grocery shopping, preparing for Sunday school, and, oh yeah, STUDYING!!!

wow only 4 hour clinical days?! lucky. and do you really study for 11 and a half hours straight on fridays? that seems a bit excessive...

[CrazierThanYou]

During my free time, I live my life. We were told that same stuff about how you'll have no life. I have to say, my life hasn't been much busier than it was before I started nursing school. Sure, I spend a lot of time reading but I also have plenty of time to do whatever else.

[healthstar, BSN, RN]

What spare time ?! I barely have time to sleep.lol

[punkydoodlesRN, BSN, RN]

Majority free time is spent with hubby and my two attention-craving monkeys.

I kept my LVN job as PRN, so I work one - two nights per month.

Before I became a student again, I owned my own photography business. I still photograph a few of my favorite/regular clients from time-to-time. I had to hire out my editing, but it's nice to put my books down and pick my camera back up sometimes...

Just before school started, my badge reel making exploded, so now I make beaded badge reels while listening/watching my lectures on tegrity. I'm doing school and hobby at the same time :) I look forward to hearing lectures again now!!

[blueharlequin]

This is one aspect of school I haven't really been able to figure out. I started working harder, reading every word of the assigned chapters (after the professor's suggestion of skimming didn't help), taking notes instead of highlighting (a suggestion from members of my lab group), and bought some supplementary materials. My grades actually went down. The instruction is pretty disorganized and we have been tested on things we were told not to study, though.

Other students don't have the safe beef that I do, but for me at this point, I'm not really concerned anymore with doing well (in terms of grades, btw...not patient care) as I am just getting by. So the past few days, especially, I've been doing more of what I want than pushing myself to read every piece of information possible (stress was causing me to break down).

I've finally been reading Alice in Wonderland (I got the Definitive Annotated Alice and was initially planning to read it over Thanksgiving/Xmas break), recording gameplay videos again, and trying to incorporate exercise into my day. I also have a 4 year old daughter, so the above is typically after she goes to bed (I find it easier to study with her around because I don't focus as well at night). I like to have tv or movies going on while I'm studying, too. Animated movies are especially helpful...recently it's been Megamind and How to Train your Dragon. I think I like How to Train your Dragon better than my 4 year old, hehe.