Any student / RN athletes here?

knnyz · Jun 9, 2014

Make time. Could always wake up early and squeeze in an hour workout or push yourself to workout after work/class. Athletes don't make excuses or they fall behind. Also lots of people have other priorities (such as children and family) and seem to find a balance between nursing school and whatever else is important to them. Time management is key during this. Maybe have a planner and stick to it?

RunBabyRN · Jun 9, 2014

If it's a priority, you make it work. I did my first marathon in August of last year, and just graduated from my program last month. I took 3 summer classes, too. I have to say that the final semester did really eat into my mileage. I was used to few runs under 10 miles, and by the end, between lecture, clinicals, preceptorship and everything else, I was lucky to have 45 minutes 4 days a week to work out. I did manage a Tough Mudder in April, though I wasn't as fit as I was for my first.

I keep running gear with me if there is ANY possibility I can fit in a run. I will run super early or super late if needed (break out the head lamp!). I would occasionally split my workouts. With proper planning, you can make it work. I also did lifting sessions and showered on-campus at the gym there. Having access to a shower was oh so fabulous. When I start working, I'm joining the gym near the hospital (24 hours! Yay!) so I can fit in workouts before or after my shift and/or shower.

I did many runs at 0430 or 0500 before I had to be at clinicals at 0630. Obviously not my long runs, but it was something. Be flexible with your workouts, and recognize that it may not be a PR, but a finisher medal is a finisher medal. Still looks pretty on the wall!

suzw · Jun 9, 2014

I was once (before I went back to school FT) a high level competitive cyclist. I did it while working FT, traveling to select pro races all around the U.S. After having a baby 5 years ago, I stopped racing pro, but still continued to race at a high level locally/ regionally. But prereqs changed that. I still raced, but less frequently, and didn't travel to regional out-of-town races. Then, right before starting nursing school, my husband's work made him relocate, and he now lives across the country. So I am taking care of our daughter mostly alone, getting A's in nursing school, and...trying to ride my bike sometimes. I can do 2 out of 3 of those things, but not all 3, or not well anyway. Maybe some people could, but not me. If I still trained hard I would either never see my daughter, or I would be not doing well in school, neither of which is an option. So I had to re-prioritize, and now I just ride whenever I can, to stay healthy, but have given up on the idea of racing this year. Maybe next year if my husband can get transferred back home.

The good news about running vs cycling is that it doesn't take nearly as many training hours to be good at it, in fact overdoing the hours will just get you injured. So if you are not also a single mom, :-) I see no reason you couldn't find a few hours a week to train, since you can, for the most part, do it anywhere, anytime. You might, as someone said, have to give up a PR or hopes of winning, (or maybe even have to stick to half-marathons) but unless your program is more intense than most, I think you can still train. (But don't sacrifice too much sleep!) Best of luck to you!

smoup · Jun 9, 2014

Powerlifter here. It took me a semester to get into the swing of things before I was able to train consistently enough to make any progress. First semester I slept in my spare time instead of lifting. Over winter break, and during my online winter class, I was able to get into a routine and stick with it despite 18 credits (4 classes and 2 days of clinical). This summer is actually proving to be more difficult and I am only taking 9 credits (2 classes and 2 days of clinical) but the two 12-hour clinical days are a killer.

Anyway, when I have clinicals, I do not lift. Twelve hours is long enough without having to get up extra early or attempt to lift afterward, neither of which would lead to a very good session anyway. Other than that, any time is fair game. I lifted at 6 am one day last semester because that's the only time that worked. I only wish I could get more than 8 hours of sleep a night to recover better.

Another poster mentioned it, but I'll second it, don't sacrifice sleep, or studying, for training. The last thing you want is to have to repeat a class and then wonder if it was because of training. Competitions, no matter what your sport, will be there AFTER you finish nursing school.

PaulBaxter · Jun 9, 2014

I'm not really an athlete, but I enjoy working out for the physical and psychological benefits, and I'm starting the nursing program in August.

My hope is to be able to fit in workouts whenever I can, but I also recognize that studying has to come first. IO do see second year students from my school at my gym from time to time, so it must be possible.

My main hobby these days is theater, but theater requires intensive time commitments, so it's just going to have to wait until I'm done with school. I'll have to content myself with going to see a show every now and then instead of acting.

RubySlippers06 · Jun 9, 2014

I do not do anything competitively anymore. Once we aren't as tight on the budget, I do plan to start competing in fitness competitions. However, I do still enjoy working out 1-2 times a day for a total of 3ish hours. It wasn't an big issue while doing my pre-reqs, but I do plan to change things once the semester begins. Cutting down to one workout and for less time :-( This is my plan for non-clinical days. I am waiting to see how clinicals go and adjust as needed, hopefully it works. Good luck to you!!

0430/0500-0600: workout

0600-0700: do mom stuff

0715-1630: school stuff

1630-2000: mom/wife stuff

2000-2100: whatever needs to be done

2100ish: bed

suzw · Jun 9, 2014

I have to say, 2nd quarter was a little easier than 1st quarter, and 3rd quarter was even easier still, but I hear 4th (OB and peds, next fall) will be more like 1st quarter again, so I'm going to try to whip myself into shape this summer. :-)

VivaLaVespaGirl, BSN, MSN · Jun 9, 2014

I make time. It is a priority for me because I know that my health and mental well-being will suffer if I do not. Also, a large number of my friends are at the same gym and we work out together, making my 4x per week workout a social engagement as well.

MountainBikeChick · Jun 9, 2014

I ride mountain bikes and do heavy lifting. Last semester was my first semester in the nursing program, and I managed to still do something physical at least 5 days a week. Most of my classmates were struggling to find a schedule that worked for them because the program really is so different then the type of schooling we're used to, and a lot of them let exercise go first.

My priorities were food (I follow the paleo lifestyle so make 99% of my meals at home for me and my husband), exercise, then school, because without a proper diet and exercise, school goes to crap! So it's all about finding time to do it. I did not study as much as my classmates, but was WAY less stressed because I was doing something I enjoyed, which allowed me to focus better and retain more info when I was actually studying. I ended up with the best grades in my immediate program, and on a standardized Kaplan test at the end, got the best grade out of 5 sister programs.

On days that I didn't have a lot of time, I would do a HIIT exercise for a half hour or so. Cross training is key when you don't have a lot of time!

And as others have said, do NOT sacrifice sleep. I got at least 7 hours of sleep (7-8 is when I function best, more if I've been training harder) most nights, except the nights before clinicals because there was too much last-minute work involved with care plans and it wasn't possible.

ETA: I am in school full-time (last semester was 17 credits), I work full-time, own a separate business on the side, am married, and have a dog!

Margotrita · Jun 9, 2014

My daughter is a BSN student and a college cheerleader. She took 17 hours each semester her freshman year and worked very part time. She didn't get a lot of sleep and her grades were good but not what she was used to in high school. I commend you. It's a lot to juggle! Something some where has to give a bit to make room for your sport.

NurseGirl525, ASN, RN · Jun 10, 2014

I run. I make the time for it. It really reduces my stress levels. I start the program in the fall and I will continue to work out as nursing school is stressful. Plus I have lost 13 lbs in the last 2 months!!