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 HCA, Physch, WC, Management.

Yeah... that's why I hardly have any friends anymore outside of school. There's about TWO of my friends who are understanding and very accommodating and caring. The rest think I am just blowing them off. I have become very close with a lot of the people in my nursing classes because we have a lot in common, including our schedule!

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Specializes in Neuro.

I promised at the beginning of the year that I would make it out of the house to hang out once or twice a week. I've been doing pretty good too. It helps that I've decided not to have romantic relationships while in school so I can really concentrate on what I want.

But my friends do sometimes get frustrated that I can go downtown on either Friday or Saturday night...but never both. And they rarely understand why I am under so much stress.

That and I only answer my phone 1 out of 10 times because I am always busy.

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Specializes in ICU.

My friends don't give me a hard time, but they sure don't call like they used to...I guess they got so used to hearing "I can't, I have to study", that they just assume I'm not available.

I'm starting NS on Monday, and my goal is to reserve Saturday nights for family/friends. I know relationships go both ways so I really want to stick to this...you can only get out of a relationship what you put into it!

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Yeah unfortunately people dont seem to understand that its a real job involving you to be on top of your game all the time that you cant go out the night before a clinical day because lies depend on you

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Specializes in Urgent Care.

yes i know exactly where you are coming from. I find it very hard to relate to others who are not currently in my program. I am in a 33 month accellerated program so its even faster than most. You find out who your real friends are, and who is willing to stick it out with you. Hang in there, you will hopefully find great support from thoes in your class! It is very hard to explain or reason with people who are not going through this as well. Keep your head up though, it will all pay off in the end

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Specializes in OR-ortho, neuro, trauma.

I haven't lost any outside NS friends but I don't see them as much when I'm in school. I keep in touch through emails and txts and I take at least 1 weekend night to spend with a friend or have a bunch of people over or just some quality time with the hubby! I do have a friend that loves to invite herself over during the week, which is fine over break, but during the semester forget it and she doesn't seem to get that. On the other hand I've made some GREAT friends in NS and it's so nice to have them to talk to about everything from lecture to the funny thing that happened on your way home.

It's our careers on the line, some may already be set in their careers and be out of college. The true friends will understand and be there to see you graduate!

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What friends ?

Ha ha!

Exactly. :p

I only made one friend here, and she just recently became a biology major. So we're both too busy to give each other a hard time. We're lucky if we get to hang out twice a month.

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Specializes in Ortho/Neuro/MedSurg.

I no longer have any friends outside of nursing school. My boyfriend and I even broke up because he could not handle me studying all the time. I only leave my house to go to school, work, and church, no social life what-so-ever. :(

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In a way, I think it's a good thing, because it shows you who your true friends are. tTe ones you can call at 3am if you are upset, the ones who will come help you move with no complaints and without expecting anything in return. It reveals the friends that will be around for life, the ones that care most about your well-being and happiness. Everyone has alot of "friends" that "love you to death" until things get hard and they aren't getting any of the benefits from your friendship. Then those people fade away, and you are left with a small number of truly incredible, special friends that would do anything in the world for you.

I would rather have my two supportive and caring friends than ten fairweather friends that will be gone at the drop of a hat when things get hard.:wink2:

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I had a co-worker/friend whom I considered to be one of my better friends. When she heard I got into NS, she was happy...for about five minutes. Since that time, it's been hostility from her. And then, I had another co-worker tell me "I don't associate with nurses." What's that about? What did I miss??

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I had a co-worker/friend whom I considered to be one of my better friends. When she heard I got into NS, she was happy...for about five minutes. Since that time, it's been hostility from her. And then, I had another co-worker tell me "I don't associate with nurses." What's that about? What did I miss??

Sounds like maybe they are jealous. I never know what makes some people tick:confused:

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Yes, I have lost friends because I have family and Nursing School that take my priorities. I have one really, really good friend who has hung in there is is extremely understanding..... although I know she really misses me from time to time, but it won't be forever!!! I will have more free time later, just not now.... what can I do....

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