what's a nursing student's schedule like?

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Hi there..I am starting prerequisites this summer for nursing school, but I have no idea what to expect once I get in. I'm trying for an ADN program...how many days will I probably be in clinicals, how long are most clinicals....when do you have classes? Any information is appreciated. Thanks.

Specializes in CVICU.
Our schedule is pretty horrific. Ask someone at your school, since it's obvious they all vary.

For the past two semesters, we usually spend two weeks in class M-F from 8:30a-4:30p. After that, two weeks in clinical - hours depend on what rotatation/instruction. Possibly 6:30a-2:30 or 4:30p, 7a-7p, or 1p-11p. :)

Manna - this sounds sorta like the program I am starting soon. During the two weeks, are you taking one class or more? Are you done with the class after the two weeks?

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when you guys say you have lecture from say 9am - 3pm.. is there a break in there??? is that for more than one class? that just seems like a long time to be in a lecture..?

At my school there is a 15 min break every 3 hours ...and yes that's one class ( fundamentals) althought it covers a lot of different things.

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Cancel any plans you had of having a social life. and consider it a good day when you can make it to icecream with a few friends for an hour

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Specializes in Informatics.

My schedule this semester is:

M- Lecture 1-4 p

T- off

W- Clinical 2-10 p

R- Lecture 11-3 p

F- off

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I think the previous posters are right in that you will need to check with the students at your school. I wish I had done that... lol, because even the admissions counselors aren't always completely honest!!! :chuckle (Laughing because you can't cry!)

I just got my summer schedule, and um...

OUCH it's all over the place:

Mon: no class

Tue: Maternity 9a-1p; Phys 6p-9p

Wed: Clinical 6:45a-3:15p

Thu: Clinical 6:45a-3:15p; Phys 6p-9p

Fri: Abnormal Psych: 9a-12p

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Specializes in Rural Health.

Next semester:

M 8-10 Family Development, 10-3 Fundamentals

T 5:30-9 Micro

W Clinicals 6-6

Th 5:30-9 Micro

Friday off

If I didn't have to take this darn Micro class....I would only have class 1 day a week and a clinical 1 day a week :)

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Cancel any plans you had of having a social life. and consider it a good day when you can make it to icecream with a few friends for an hour

Haha! That's funny, because I was asking about the schedule because I work at an ice cream store as a cake decorator and I was trying to think about how I'm going to work my schedule around nursing school in a few years. I'm pretty lucky, because after this summer I can basically come in and work any hours I want. But it's still going to be hard. I wish I didn't have to work, but living with my parents for the next four years just sounds ....:uhoh21: I wouldn't be able to do it. SO working enough for $200 rent per month is how I have to do it. Thanks for all the replies!

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Cancel any plans you had of having a social life. and consider it a good day when you can make it to icecream with a few friends for an hour

Yep- REALLY have to be good at effectively managing time! My current schedule:

Mondays: lecture noon-3:30

TW: Clinicals 6:45-1

Th-off!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Fri- lecture 8:30-11:30, and noon-3:30

I've learned to use thursdays VERY wisely...I rarely see my fiance during the week, unless I don't have care plans due the next day, or tests, or whatever...have 2 other gals that study with me on Monday am's before class, and after clinicals on Tuesdays....Be prepared to forego the late nights out every weekend night and your fave TV shows! I can't tell you the last time I watched Law and Order- I had no idea that Liz Rohm was McCoy's assistant again? (At least I think she is...) Even taping that and SVU is pointless, as I never have time to watch ANYTHING!

Good luck...and definately call the school of choice to find out their schedule.

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Cancel any plans you had of having a social life. and consider it a good day when you can make it to icecream with a few friends for an hour

:chuckle No joke!!! Our group that is going into clinicals and then Physiology are having H3LL this summer!! Our Thursdays are like 15 hours long.. we've already "planned" that Thursdays nights are pizza & beer nights all summer!!

:beercuphe And yes, between this schedule and work... that's all the socialization we're going to get!! Just hope I don't fall asleep face-down on the pizza!

~*~kendra~*~

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Specializes in Critical Care, Pediatrics, Geriatrics.

These schedules, although they vary, all have one thing in common. It's alot of class time and clinical time. But don't be fooled like I was....This is only HALF the time you will devote to nursing. Care plans can take anywhere from 5-25hrs to complete depending on your abilities and your instructor. We were required to get our pt info from the hospital the day before clinical and prepare a thorough report, plan for the day, and med chart...that takes a whole evening. Studying is no longer just a weekend day, you really have to stay on top of it daily b/c it is so fast paced. And in btwn all this your instructors will have various things for you to turn in or videos for you to view, etc. Most of the people I go to school with work 8-20hrs a week. Many don't work at all, including myself. Those who work full time 32+hrs have a really hard time but it can be done if you are dedicated.

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These schedules, although they vary, all have one thing in common. It's alot of class time and clinical time. But don't be fooled like I was....This is only HALF the time you will devote to nursing. Care plans can take anywhere from 5-25hrs to complete depending on your abilities and your instructor. We were required to get our pt info from the hospital the day before clinical and prepare a thorough report, plan for the day, and med chart...that takes a whole evening. Studying is no longer just a weekend day, you really have to stay on top of it daily b/c it is so fast paced. And in btwn all this your instructors will have various things for you to turn in or videos for you to view, etc. Most of the people I go to school with work 8-20hrs a week. Many don't work at all, including myself. Those who work full time 32+hrs have a really hard time but it can be done if you are dedicated.

:yeahthat: Exactly what she said! Girl, I take all the careplans and studying as a given... lol, I just "forget" about those things! (wish I could forget for real once in a while!! :chuckle )

We pull charts at the hospital the day before to get patient history to take home and research. Seriously, until you get familiar with the charts, it will take you a good couple hours at the hospital picking them apart to get the information you need... once you get that information from the hospital, your reporting begins.. again like she said, it depends on the teacher. Our class was looking up all drugs, including PRN's, pulling labs, and expected to have a careplan concept map ready for clinical. We had a couple days to have the final careplan turned in after clinical. (But really, most of the work is done the night before, so careplan becomes the easy part!)

I tell my employer that I do NOT work the day before or the day of clinicals.

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