Should I stay with my parents or move closer to the campus?

Nursing Students Pre-Nursing

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So my parents and I have been having some heated arguments over this. I live 45 minutes away from the nursing school. They do not want me to move out (it would be too long and too tedious to explain) but I'm arguing that I need an apartment because I heard that nursing school can be rough and have you up at weird hours( I still need to read up on it, but I know you have to do clinicals) and I honestly have to admit I am a TERRIBLE driver at night and when I'm tired. i can only imagine what would happen if they were both combined. So I proposed that I rent an apartment with some room mates and stay overnight when I need to or when I have too many exams coming at once and need a quiet place to study study study ( because I heard there's LOTS of that) without worrying about waking up extra early to get to school on time. However, I would try to come home everyday if I'm not busy.

Am I wrong? Can I manage at least the first semester or year at home? Or even all four? I honestly don't know how it all works :/ My parents are just convinced I just want to have fun and it's imperative to them for me to be home as much as humanly possible. (Like I said, long story. Just know that it's religion and culture)

Specializes in NICU.

I would say to try to commute from home. If you do have good friends, your parents know them, and trust them then maybe if there are times that you are still on campus in the evening time and don't want to drive home, you could stay at their apartment for the night.

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I say stay at home and commute. I have about the same length of drive to school, and I've been living with my parents through nearly two years of prereqs so far. When I first started college I thought about moving closer to school at the start of nursing school, but now I've decided not to. Number one, the money. I'm not expecting my parents to pay for me to live 45 minutes from them, and I have very little savings that I don't want to "waste" on the venture. Number two, no matter your relationship with your parents, you will come to rely on their support. At some point your peers will be just as depressed about school, studying, and life; you need someone on the "outside" to talk to. As far as driving goes, it really isn't that big of a deal. You do what you have to do, and you turn the radio up really loud.

I get the whole religion and culture thing, but I think you should try looking at it from your parents' perspectives. Most likely it is not that they don't trust you, but that they don't trust people who could be around you. And don't waste this opportunity, because I know many people struggling to support themselves and pay for college on their own. I am very blessed in that respect!

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Thanks, this really helped put things in perspective. I suppose I should save the money I've earned and try commuting. The only reason I'm concerned about the driving is that I've fallen asleep at the wheel before and it was terrifying. I'm anemic and I'm taking iron pills for it but even so it's very difficult for me to stay awake sometimes. Driving is actually my biggest concern because of what happened; it was a huge wake up call for me because I almost ran into someone. The worst part is that I'm still not sure if I fell asleep or just passed out.

You're right though, that's my parent's biggest fear. Not me, just the people around me. But I know that they'll support me in every way they can, so I'm seriously considering just staying home now.

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Wow that never occurred to me! Thanks! I know a friend who I'm sure wouldn't mind if I crashed on their couch if I really needed to, but it hadn't crossed my mind that I could just do that if it gets too bad. I'm really glad I found this website, it's a good way to gain perspective and ideas.

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Specializes in OB.

Totally get the commute issue but now that you're still young and can stay with your parents, do it. A lot of students can't wait to get out of the house too early and then find out that it is very hard being on their own. Even if you have help (financially speaking) let's be realistic, $1000 every semester won't be enough when it comes to pay for groceries, utilities, books, clothes, rent and other. Then you might have to get a job and eventually dropping out or not doing your best because you'll be really exhausted. I personally commute to school 1.5 hours each way 3 nights a week (6-10) and sometimes have to drive straight to work until 7am. It is a killer but I am doing it for me and my kids. And I haven't even started the program yet, I will I August so this I'm doing now is a taste of what's to come. Be smart, stay at home, get to know what you're capable of and then decide! Good luck!

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Yeah, we're struggling financially recently as well.. So even with my scholarships I don't think I would be able to handle it.. But wow! 45 minutes seems like nothing now haha It may be hard but I think I'll try my best to commute so I can save my money for important things. Thanks so much! Good luck to you too, I'm sure you'll do amazing:D

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Specializes in OB.

Thanks Seeetie!

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Hi. I am currently a junior in nursing school and I live on campus and let me tell you nursing school is incredibly hard and my rent is incredibly expensive. I was even considering moving home for my senior year because of it, but I live over an hour away from school. Being on campus is nice because you get to experience that "campus living" but after awhile it gets old. At least for me it did especially because at least I have to study all the time and trust me unless you have all nursing student roommates they will not have the same course load as you. I would definitely commute the first year and if you absolutely hate it then try to talk to your parents. Unless you love to party and drink you really don't miss out on too much and you can always stay with friends once in awhile.

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I also agree with staying home. Just to point out a few small things. 1. You don't have to take time out to go grocery shopping. 2. You don't have to keep the entire house clean and stop to pay important bills. 3. Your parents cook dinner each night in a typical household. Just those things saves you hours each week to study. Minor chores like laundry or keeping your room and a few areas clean is a good trade off. 4. Typically you have extra amenities such as satellite or cable available when you do find free time. 5. Not dealing with a roommates schedule is a plus. They might have friend(s) over at odd hours. Be messy. Get into bad situations. Need help with their schoolwork. No matter how well u know them in high school. They always change somehow. Plus you save money on stocking an apartment with required items like furniture, small appliances etc. I totally agree with waiting a while and seeing how it goes. Moving out when you get a job is a grand idea. Even better to wait a month or two to save up money from your new income. Really no need to rush head first into life. It comes fast enough ready or not.

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I guess I was just scared it would make things more difficult for me and I honesty wanted the campus living experience, but it seems that money is the biggest issue:/ Or at least that's what everyone's been saying. I think I will commute for the first year and just try to hang out with friends that go there to get my "college experience"

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Wow I hadn't factored in all of that! Thank you, I guess the thought of just getting out of my house was blinding me to all of these things. The only downside if how loud my house is:/

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Specializes in CMSRN, hospice.

Another vote for the stay-at-home club. If you are considering moving out next year, definitely work up a very, VERY detailed budget before making any lasting decisions. Things get expensive, even with 2-3 roommates, and if you think noise is distracting, try money troubles. Easily much more worrisome.

However, I'm totally picking up what you're putting down: living at home can be tough, depending on the dynamic at home. Is there any possibility of working it out with your family that certain hours are "quiet" and getting a distraction-free study space set up for you? I know my family isn't the best at enforcing that, so I ended up spending a lot of quality time at my school's library. It sounds like your family really wants to take care of you, so maybe they will be more obliging.

If all fails, perhaps in a year becoming an RA at one of your school's dorms would be an option? It's a lot of responsibility and some time commitment, but free room and board is always nice.

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