Frustrated at schedule

~Mi Vida Loca~RN, ASN, RN · Mar 17, 2011

I don't know what to suggest. If you are at school for 6 hr. a day doesn't that leave the rest of the day? I make time to do stuff all the time. I just do it. What are you doing in your down time? Surely you can find 45 mins a week I would think. I don't cook but if it's something you usually do you can pre do all your meals for the week on the weekend. I did that when I was sticking to a strict diet. Study while you walk. Record lectures and listen to them on the treadmill and stuff.

supermotojen · Mar 17, 2011

Crok pot meals are awesome for busy days!! Maybe try this 4 or 5 days a week. There are tons of good recipies that I have found on the internet. I know some cable companies have an exercise channel- I use this as an alternative to going to the gym when I don't have time. I also bought a few workout DVDs that I can do at home while I listen to my lectures as mentioned above....and as far as hair....I honestly hardly ever get mine done and cut every 4 months! lol I hope this can help.

KristeyK · Mar 17, 2011

I hit the gym for a minimum of 45 mins 4 days a week. I cook every night. (OK- we do order out or go out Saturdays for dinner.) I play with my son everyday AND I manage to spend time w/ my parents and my sister a couple times a week. It's all in being able to manage your time, and learning some good study habits. (For instance, while waiting at my Dr's office yesterday, I went over my Med-Surg notes.) My son is only four and a half, so he's still happy to have ANY book read to him, so I read to him out of my nursing or patho book. (He will walk away from me if I read Pharm to him. LOL!)

Small things add up very quickly. It is possible to do this and have a life. (Oh, and I DO have a hair appt Friday afternoon. YAY!)

tech1000 · Mar 17, 2011

I spend about an hour in the gym 3-4 times a week and try to go on a date with my boyfriend at least once a week and I try to hang out with my friends every other or every 3rd week. I do go times where I can't go to the gym for 1-2 weeks if things get crazy, but that's my release so I MAKE time for the gym. I also work 12-20 hours a week. I've just accepted that I'm always busy, but I've been at nursing school for 2 years now, so I've gotten my schedule down. I do my hair appointments, however I'm 3 months overdue at the dentist... My hair wins over my teeth ) Haha.

2011NursingStudent · Mar 17, 2011

I had started grabbing fast food one too many times when I was busy, too. Just try to break yourself of that habit and plan meals on a Sunday night, and buy all the healthy stuff to make them at the store. Fajitas have been a big one for me for dinner lately b/c I can chop the red and yellow peppers really fast, just toss some chopped steak in with lime and cilantro, wrap it all up in a tortilla and I'm ready to go. Sandwiches are always an easy one to throw together for lunches. G/L =)

morte, LPN, LVN · Mar 17, 2011

I went through 3 years of a dip. program, working full time.....frankly little sympathy here!

windmill182 · Mar 17, 2011

I have seen people studying while walking on the treadmill at the gym. Also, if you consider the amount of time it takes to drive to/from the drive through, and waiting for the food, Im sure you could whip something up in that time (Salad, Tuna Sand which, grill a piece of chicken on the George foreman) : ) If you do have to get fast food, just research the place a little. Are there salads or other healthy(er) choices you could make at these places?

I am not in nursing school yet, so I may be talking out of my butt here.. I start my program this fall, but this is a huge fear of mine (putting my health on the back burner). I exercise to keep my mind healthy more than anything, so I will go out of my way to make sure I get to the gym at least 2-3 times a week. How can we tell people to lead a healthy lifestyle if we don't practice the same principal?

DolceVita, ADN, BSN, RN · Mar 17, 2011

Time savers --

Only read your text once not over and over again

Record lectures and listen to them while you commute or go walking (for exercise)

Bring textbook or review notes to the hair dresser

ALWAYS have something to study with you.

Take classes in the summer to lessen the stress during normal semesters.

Do not answer the phone/text message immediately. Choose one time per day to listen and return messages (just because you have a cell phone doesn't mean you must be available).

Tell people the best way to get you is email -- then you can respond when YOU have time.

Stop doing so much for other people (if you do). You don't have time.

Make several meals at one time and freeze them.

Learn to live with eating a sandwich for dinner.

Other stuff

If you watch TV choose 2 that you really like. Record them and then you can skip through ads. Ditch the rest. You can always catch up with the DVD during the summer.

Get up earlier. Go to bed later. I need 7/8 hours sleep. I want ten hours sleep.

I don't really come from a generation of "me time". I just get on with it. Nursing school IS my me time -- I am not studying for anyone else. Sometime reframing it like that helps get perspective.

elkpark · Mar 17, 2011

Nursing school is at least the equivalent of a full-time job. Were you not expecting that? Time management skills are a necessity for nurses -- time to start learning/acquiring them. I attended a rigorous and demanding diploma school and worked part-time, and still found some time to take care of myself and my relationships. It can be done. In my experience over the years as a student (several different times) and a nursing instructor, I have found that the people who have no free time at all are often people who are not v. effective at studying and time management. Does your school have a Student Services office/department that offers some help with that kind of thing (study skills, time management)? Lots of schools do. That would be one place to start.

Also, eating healthy and cooking for yourself doesn't have to take a lot of time (and it's so much cheaper than eating fast food -- always a consideration for students :)).

If you're finding your nursing school schedule (with no additional job) overwhelming, how are you going to manage working as a nurse?

Best wishes for your journey! :balloons:

OB-nurse2013, BSN, RN · Mar 17, 2011

I have to say as a mom of two very young boys you probably don't even realize the amount of time you really have. I am in nursing school and on my own almost all the time with my kids since my husband works so many hours to make up for me not working and I still find time to excercise clean and cook good meals for myself and family. It's not easy and I don't get much sleep. My house isn't as clean as it was before and we do order pizza once a week but teh rest can be done. Being organized, multi-tasking, crock pots and lots of coffee will get you through. Excercise is essentila thoigh because it will end up giving you more energy to get stuff done.

That Guy, BSN, RN, EMT-B · Mar 17, 2011

What is taking up all your time? Seriously school for 6 hours a day and you say you dont have any time for anything