What do you do between semesters?

[Zooey72]

I am 44 years old and haven't been to school for a LONG time. I got all my prereqs done last year (did summer classes too) and got into my nursing program. I have worked my entire life, and in the real world you get 2-3 weeks of paid vacation. In "college world" you are off for 20 weeks (16+16=32 : 52- 32=20). I finished my prereqs in December, studied like crazy for the TEAS. Got accepted, and now I am working full time delivering Pizza. I don't want to get a 'real job', that I am going to have to quit (that is just not cool). I don't really need the money (but it never hurts to have more), but adults do not get 'summer vacations', so I am doing this until my classes start again in the fall. I don't have kids.

Since there are no classes I can take next summer I am either back to delivering pizzas or being a bum for 3 months (same for winter break). I was just curious what everyone else does with the down time.

[lindseylpn]

You could take a quick CNA course and get a PRN job. You could work as little or as much as you'd like.

[WanderingWilder, ASN]

I'm kinda in the same boat, I still work full time but I've move my schedule to fit my nursing school schedule so i do 3 overnight sleep shifts and just two 8 hr day shifts. Now that its summer and my classes are done I have way too much time on my hands, but I have kids so I'm going to just enjoy my summer with the kids once they are out of school and not having to pay for summer child care.

[stevosmusic]

I've been applying to Externship positions hoping to work those to gain experience

[LVHI_RN]

Be a bum... lol. Binge on Netflix, enjoy the time off. You will never have this time ever again once you graduate

Or taking a CNA course is not a bad idea. Especially if the area you live has a tough job market.

[barcode120x, RN, NP]

Since there are no classes I can take next summer I am either back to delivering pizzas or being a bum for 3 months (same for winter break). I was just curious what everyone else does with the down time.

Nothing wrong with being a bum! I was too! For me, I had a per diem job as a lift tech at a local hospital, but I only worked once a week which was nice. Aside from working, I pretty much played video games, caught up on TV shows/movies, and hung out with old friend and/or current classmates.

I would HIGHLY recommend looking/getting a job in the hospital if possible OR volunteer. I told many of my classmates who had no hospital experience to do so in order to secure an RN position in the future. Many didn't listen and took them quite awhile to find jobs after getting our licenses. But also, enjoy the break as much as you can!