Advice on managing full-time nursing school?

Fenway1 · Apr 16, 2012

Purplcav, I don't have anyone driving but we are within walking distance of school and stores and they have been pretty independent this way for awhile. I have some good friends who have offered to drive kids anywhere they cannot walk.

My prereqs are done but I have to take 2 courses in summer session to make up for "core classes" I am missing. Both are history classes and I'm not worried about those.

Thanks for your advice and good wishes. Good luck to you too!

sherri12 · Apr 16, 2012

You can do the full time schedule. Just be organized. I am in a full time BSN program, starting my 2nd semester soon. I also work at least 40 hours a week and have a family. (4 year old daughter). I am having no problem keeping up with the work. In fact, I have my assignments done before the younger students with no families or responsibities.

I was also worried in the beginning that I wouldn't keep up. I have a 3.6 gpa and I'm ok with it going down. I'm not going to stress about my gpa as long as I'm passing the classes. In the end, who is going to care what your gpa is as long as you pass the nclex. Some of the students are fixated on that gpa and it's not doing them any good.

You can do it! Good luck!

Fenway1 · Apr 16, 2012

Sherri-Thank you so much. This is exactly the type of info I was looking for. I have promised myself that I will be ok with my gpa going down as well. I just don't want to have a nervous breakdown in the process. I am very organized and a Type-A personality and like you, I know I will be on top of all my work. But I still want to be a good mom. Have to find that balance and stop putting too much pressure on myself.

You sound like you are doing a great job. Congratulations on your success!

Janit · Apr 16, 2012

Some background on me: I am a single 46 year old mother of 3 teenagers (all in high school). I just got accepted to 2 nursing schools after spending 3 years doing the pre-requisites.
The school I did my pre-reqs at does not have a great reputation and I have not been happy there. However, the advantage to that school is that I would go part-time but it would take me 3 years to finish.
The other school I was accepted to has an excellent reputation. If I go there, I will have to go full-time and will finish in 2 years. I met with the nursing advisor there yesterday who impressed upon me how much work it will be.
I really wanted to do the full-time program because I have been so unhappy at the other school with the quality of the profs, disorganization of the program, etc. But the advisor really scared me and I am really afraid I won't be able to handle a full-time program plus maintaining my home and being there for my kids. I've maintained a 4.0 until now but that was only taking 1 or 2 classes a semester and I had to put in hours of work to do that. Being older, I don't learn as fast as I used to. Please, any advice from current students especially older students juggling family responsibilities? Is a full-time program plus family stuff doable?

I am 55 years old and have a 9 yr. old son (my only child). I am awaiting (any day) an acceptance/rejection letter from 3 different nursing programs: 2 Associates degree (2 year program) 1 ABSN degree (accelerated Bachelor-to-bachelor) 15 month program. My 1st choice is the ABSN but unfortunately I would have to move to another city 3 hours away (no commute no weekend visits). What I weighed is what is BEST for my family in the long haul? What would be the difference to your career if you (or I) finished sooner or earned a higher degree. I think if you ask your family, you might be surprised how they would react and judging from your tenacity, they will back your decision 1,000%. Good luck to you even though it wasn't "luck" that brought you to this juncture but honest hard work!

FLboundBSN · Apr 17, 2012

You can do the full time schedule. Just be organized. I am in a full time BSN program, starting my 2nd semester soon. I also work at least 40 hours a week and have a family. (4 year old daughter). I am having no problem keeping up with the work. In fact, I have my assignments done before the younger students with no families or responsibities.
I was also worried in the beginning that I wouldn't keep up. I have a 3.6 gpa and I'm ok with it going down. I'm not going to stress about my gpa as long as I'm passing the classes. In the end, who is going to care what your gpa is as long as you pass the nclex. Some of the students are fixated on that gpa and it's not doing them any good.
You can do it! Good luck!

WOW! :w00t:You go girl! I am thoroughly impressed! :yeah: you are a supermom fur shurr!

I am one of those that is so hellbent (sp?) on keeping my GPA and have been told by my hubby and micro teacher to let that go, do the work and get thru it. Because my GPA has been my focus for the last 3 years, it will be hard to let go. :uhoh21: I gotta get A's! It's just my nature! But I have to keep remembering that C=CONTINUE! and you are right, as long as we pass the NCLeX who cares what our GPA was!

FLboundBSN · Apr 17, 2012

Purplcav, I don't have anyone driving but we are within walking distance of school and stores and they have been pretty independent this way for awhile. I have some good friends who have offered to drive kids anywhere they cannot walk.
My prereqs are done but I have to take 2 courses in summer session to make up for "core classes" I am missing. Both are history classes and I'm not worried about those.
Thanks for your advice and good wishes. Good luck to you too!

Sounds like you are going to be just fine! :yeah:

Natural510 · Apr 17, 2012

Basically you have to go into it knowing you have no life to yourself for two years. It's a sacrifice, but it will be worth it. I'm six weeks away from completing my first year while working full-time (at night) with a wife & child at home. Like Sherri said, it takes organization, but if you are motivated & most of all passionate about nursing, you will get through it.

WorkingTowardsBSN · Apr 17, 2012

I just want to say thank you to everyone. I officially accepted the full-time college and registered yesterday for fall classes. I'm pretty nervous but I know it is the right decision.

Congratulations!!! I think you made the right choice! :yelclap:

ETA: I'm glad to see so many other moms in these programs! I got my acceptance letter yesterday, to start in the fall, and I'm married with a 3 year old and 1 year old at home. I know that a lot of my motivation will come from wanting to a) set a good example for my girls of following your heart and working hard to do that and b) build a better life for all of us as a family. Thankfully my husband has been incredibly patient and incredibly supportive as I work towards my goals. :redbeathe

sKris · Apr 17, 2012

I'm about to enter an accelerated one year program in the fall. I have four kids who will be 13,10, 9, and 5 at the start. I'm super excited, but also terrified. I keep telling myself that I can do anything for a year. I know it will be a lot of work, but it will be worth it. I plan to keep myself to a pretty tight routine so that I stay on top of my work. It helps to hear from other 'non-traditional' students who have been through and been successful. Good luck!

sherri12 · Apr 19, 2012

Before I began my actual nursing program, I used to come on these threads to see how it was like for everyone else. I've realized that everybody takes it differently. We have 38 in my BSN program. Most of them are doing ok. Many of the young ones have a harder time keeping up with the work, but have plenty of time to do other things. It's a mix of prioritizing, and like I said earlier, being organized.

I don't feel like I've given up my life. I just get my assignments done early. I usually begin on them the day they are assigned instead of waiting a week to begin.

I have no doubt that you can do it, even with a family.