Do friends outside of nursing school give you a hard time?

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Basically the question above...I have friends who aren't in nursing school give me a hard time because I spend a lot of time studying (hello, its nursing school). They seem angry but when I explain to them, its a lot of work, they don't seem to understand and get offended when I don't hang out with them. This isn't like regular school, and I feel bad that I can't be with them, but come on! This is my career and my grades.

Does this happen to anyone else?

Specializes in acute care.

It's been my experience that my friends who have been to college are more understanding than those who haven't been to college. Honestly, I can hang out if I want. I have the time to do it. Nursing School doesn't take over my entire life.

Why should I feel guilty for not wanting to hang out or choosing to study instead of yapping on the phone about the lastest drama/gossip? None of these folks are going to pay my bills, buy my dream house, etc. So, my attitude now is that if they can't understand, then they can kiss it. I appreciate the friends who understand that I'm focused on myself right now, and I shrug my shoulders at the ones who don't.

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Haha!!! I'm about to loose in-laws because they believe the mother belongs in the home - ONLY! I love being home with my son, just would like to work 1 or 2 days outside the home - to have something FOR ME... to serve & to make a little extra income!

Luckily my husband does NOT believe the way they do. He still wants me home as much as possible, but is totally supportive of me continuing on & learning as much as I can. Praise God for husbands who support, but still allow us to stay home the majority of the time!

Remember to be your own person and not let your husband "allow" you this "allow you that". You get to do what you want, that is your right as a human being. Sorry, I was married to a tyrant for 10 years and when I divorced him I liberated myself. It makes me sad when I read about people that still think women should be at home. Go all the way with your education, no matter what the family thinks! Good Luck!!:wink2:

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Luckily, I chose to live in themed housing my freshman year, so everybody on my floor was some sort of health major. It was one of the best decisions I made! We all became really good friends so we understand when each other had loads of work to do and couldn't hang out because we are all in the same boat!

I know this isn't exactly what you're talking about, but the thing that really frustrates me is when I'm go home and am with my friends from other majors and they complain about their workload at school. They'll talk about alllll the work they have as a political science or history major (no disrespect!) and how hard their classes are. I'm just like YOU DON'T EVEN KNOW! :banghead:

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Allow?!? :p

Remember to be your own person and not let your husband "allow" you this "allow you that". You get to do what you want, that is your right as a human being. Sorry, I was married to a tyrant for 10 years and when I divorced him I liberated myself. It makes me sad when I read about people that still think women should be at home. Go all the way with your education, no matter what the family thinks! Good Luck!!:wink2:

NONONONONONO!!!!!

I mean he has a career that allows me to stay home - he makes enough where I don't HAVE to work outside the home, which is my dream come true! Because I lost my parents at such a young age & my parents both had to work full time, I have always wanted to be home with my children.

That's what I mean when I say 'allow'... I meant his career... we aren't dependent on 2 incomes. Believe me - he in NO way tells me what I am ALLOWED to do!!!

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NONONONONONO!!!!!

I mean he has a career that allows me to stay home - he makes enough where I don't HAVE to work outside the home, which is my dream come true! Because I lost my parents at such a young age & my parents both had to work full time, I have always wanted to be home with my children.

That's what I mean when I say 'allow'... I meant his career... we aren't dependent on 2 incomes. Believe me - he in NO way tells me what I am ALLOWED to do!!!

Okay, well that is a blessing!! Good Luck to you!:redpinkhe

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Specializes in M/S, Tele, Sub (stepdown), Hospice.

Good for you!! :anpom:

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Yeah, I'm just perusing a passion, outside of my family. Not that I don't love them, just need a little 'me' time.

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Specializes in Ortho, Neuro, Detox, Tele.

i lost friends, but made great ones that i will stay in touch with for years! non ns people just don't get it...sad tosay, but true. But, it shows you who your friends really are...good luck!

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I've actually lost a couple of friends over school. I even had a friend tell me how boring I've become. Yeah, I might be boring but at least I'm at home studying and working towards making a better life for myself rather than wasting my time, money, and health drinking at bars every night.

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I can honestly say that my best friend understands that I really do need to study and pass. We try to pick a day to do something and we usually text or talk everyday. She is always there for me no matter what and I love her like a sister, heck some days I don't know what I would do without her! We both are married and both have a child so it's pretty nice to be able to all go do something together even if its just going over the hill to her house for supper and some bowling on the Wii. We have made a pack that every last saturday of the month we go to a crop till you drop night at a nearby scrapbook store and go up about 1 and get home about 3am. lol We have a blast we both love to scrapbook and gives us time together to have some fun! I know she is my true and bestest friend out there!

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I see both sides. I can understand letting go of friends who you "just hang out with" but my true friends I make time for. I am a hard core student 100%, to the point where EVERYONE is always telling me "to have some fun." For me, it's hard to go out, make groceries, drive to the bank, when I know I have work to do.

However, real friendship is a 2-way street. Friends support each other so even though I may not make every outting and party, I will always make time to talk on the phone--within reason of course. So if a girlfriend needs/wants to talk I am there to listen. I may say to myself "30 mintues ONLY and back to work." I know I would appreciate the same. It's the people who I don't really have close relationships with when this is not as easy. For them, I just text/email every now and then.

At the end of the day, I think every relationship is unique. Remember that although you are making new friends in nursing school, "most" of these are "situational relationships." They seem perfect now because you all need to rely on each other for sheer sanity, help, and guidance. You also have something major in common, the same nursing program. So there is some comfort in complaining about that last exam, the faculty who are driving you crazy, and that horrible patient during yeaterday's clinical. Think about the number of people you still keep in "real" contact with from your previous education/employment.

If I really can't make the birthday party (or similar event) or don't feel up to "partying" and getting all dolled up, I may make plans with that person for a lunch/ dinner date.

People just want to feel cared about. Sometimes I will make about 20 minutes every month or so to send personal emails/texts like

1. I see someone has a birthday coming up.

2. Hey you, how's the boyfriend?

3. Hey I was just thinking about your mom. How did her surgery go?

4. I was watching ____ on TV and thought of you.

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I haven't really LOST any friends, but the relationships are different. They are more, well, distant. One of my friends who really had backed off decided to go to NS, and is doing her prereqs. Her attitude about everything has changed. I just think that most people can't understand just how much work there is in NS. Even when I tell them that I have 6 or 7 chapters to read for class, they just don't get it. They think that it's like other classes and if you don't read, it's not that big of a deal. I've tied to explain it, but honestly, I'm done explaining. If you are truly my friend, you will be there for me during this period in my life and won't hassle me over something that you can't possibly understand unless you do it.

I'm just glad my family is all on board and standing not only beside me, but all around me. They are ready to catch me no matter which direction I may start to fall!:redbeathe

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