Do I have time to take 'fun' classes when in nursing school?

[PresentPerfect]

Just like the title of this post, I wonder if I have time to take 'fun' classes. I don't have kids, no pets, single and a flexible part-time job. I know people who have kids, and I think raising children is a lot more work than a music class. So, if they can manage nursing school with kids, I think I should be able to do one fun class. Am I right? If I decide to take a fun class, what should I watch out for in terms of schedule conflicts.

[beekee]

If you are in a 4 year program, a fun class is possible while you are taking the basic sciences. Once you start with the nursing classes and clinical, it’ll become much more difficult. I would not take anything extra that first “real” semester, as it tends to be quite a culture shock to most.

Another thing to keep in mind is that in college, “fun” classes are typically the introductory class to the major. Often, what sounds fun or easy is in reality a horrible weed out class. Be sure to ask around about the course and the instructor before you sign up.

[Piper98, ASN, BSN, RN]

I think it would be fine if the class doesn’t have a lot of work, assignments, and/or exams. We all need a little time for ourselves. I would just make sure there isn’t a lot of work involved prior to registering. Otherwise, I would wait and see how you handle the first semester of nursing school.

[Horseshoe, BSN, RN]

I took a History of Comedy in Film class when I did my first degree as a young person out of high school. It was fun! We had to go see old classic comedy films at the student Union theater. Then we'd sit around afterward and have a beer together before going home (back in the days when 18 was the legal age, and of course students only, no professor there). Very enjoyable and counted as an elective. But I wasn't a nursing student and can't say that my other classes were all that demanding.

[MiladyMalarkey, ASN, BSN]

My fun class is some wine, Hulu & my couch....

But I have kids?

If you can find a class that is enjoyable, not time consuming and doesn't require any assignments, go for it. Something enjoyable for yourself is needed in NS.

[meanmaryjean, DNP, RN]

You need to be mindful of your GPA as well.

[kbrn2002, ADN, RN]

In every major in every school I've heard of there are a certain number of elective credits required. The amount of those credits that are needed will depend on your nursing program's graduation requirements.

That being said, it seems a lot of programs especially at the ADN level consider pre-requisites to core nursing classes and required for graduation courses like communications as electives so you might not have as many elective credits required as you think you do.

You should still be able to work a fun elective or two into your curriculum though as long as it doesn't conflict with the schedule of any required courses. Just be aware that even though it's a "fun" class the grade you get will count towards your GPA so don't take a class just for fun without planning to put in any work necessary to keep up a good grade.

[Sour Lemon]

I took a "fun" class and ended up with an F in it. It ended with some huge, paper-writing, group project that I just didn't have the time for and I was past the drop date.

[PresentPerfect]

Thanks all for your contribution. Give me ideas on what to look for and look out for in my fun class.

[northmississippi]

I wouldnt take anything you dont have to take, it cost a ton of money to fail nursing school. If you do anything, I'd add a fitness class because you will need to be fit to hit the floors after graduation. It hurts to be a nurse.

[FeliciaRNCPN]

I always took "fun" classes nursing school. Mostly to keep my GPA up. My fun classes were 3, 1 credit seminar classes per semester and senior level advanced Psych classes which were surprisingly my easiest A's.

[TheDudeWithTheBigDog, ADN, RN]

With fun classes, if you're using financial aide, make sure that it's a class that's allowed in your major, or else you usually have to pay on your own.

Just make sure you take it seriously, because like everyone else said, it does count as a college class and affects your GPA.

If you don't need actually need the credit, though, maybe think about using something coursera (there's a few others but they didn't seem as involved) where videos of actual college classes get uploaded and you can learn them on your own. You're going to watch an actual college lecture, usually from some bigger universities. A lot of them will actually function like an online college class... you're going to have homework, and tests, and everything (typically able to be computer graded). A lot of the teachers actually get involved and interact with the people on the website. They volunteer their time to try to treat you like an actual student. And it's free. It doesn't count for anything, and absolutely no schools will acknowledge what you learned, but its a free fun class you can take to learn something as a break from nursing.