Advice on managing full-time nursing school?

Nursing Students General Students

Published

Some background on me: I am a single 46 year old mother of 3 teenagers (all in high school). I just got accepted to 2 nursing schools after spending 3 years doing the pre-requisites.

The school I did my pre-reqs at does not have a great reputation and I have not been happy there. However, the advantage to that school is that I would go part-time but it would take me 3 years to finish.

The other school I was accepted to has an excellent reputation. If I go there, I will have to go full-time and will finish in 2 years. I met with the nursing advisor there yesterday who impressed upon me how much work it will be.

I really wanted to do the full-time program because I have been so unhappy at the other school with the quality of the profs, disorganization of the program, etc. But the advisor really scared me and I am really afraid I won't be able to handle a full-time program plus maintaining my home and being there for my kids. I've maintained a 4.0 until now but that was only taking 1 or 2 classes a semester and I had to put in hours of work to do that. Being older, I don't learn as fast as I used to. Please, any advice from current students especially older students juggling family responsibilities? Is a full-time program plus family stuff doable?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I am married, 44 and have 3 kids 16, 8 & 6 and I work 32 hours a week. I am in a full time nursing program. I am only 4 weeks into the program and I am not going to lie it is a lot of work, but if it is something that you want to do you will find a way to do it. I am so excited about the program that I am like a sponge soaking it all in.

The biggest suggestion that I would have for anyone is to stay on top of all of your assignments. If you are not an organized person, get organized. As long as you stay on top of things and learn to tell people no, when they ask you for things, you can do it! I study for only about an hour a day right now and I have been able to keep up with everything.

Good luck to you!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Hmm, 2 years of intense work in a great program or 3 (long) years of work in a crappy, unorganized, frustrating program. I'd definitely go for the school that has a better program, even if it is more intense. You'll be done faster and not have the continued headache of your current school.

Good luck with your decision!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

How is it full time if you did all your prereqs? I'm just wondering because my nursing school has prereqs/coreqs and I haven't taken micro. So I have to take it next summer before I take the second year of core nursing classes. Not cool with it because now I'm at 9 credits vs. 12 full time. Are you taking A & P, Nursing, and a math?

I wanted to say I had nursing school orientaiton and was completely discouraged by the way nursing classes are presented. I'm definitely worried about how I will handle the load.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I prerequisites I took were General Psychology, Developmental Psychology, Sociology, A&P 1, A&P 2, Chemistry, micro, and biochemistry. I also transferred in college courses that I took 25 years ago. I had taken a stats class back then which I needed as a prereq and they took it even though I took it 25 years ago! I still have 3 "core" courses that I am missing that I will need to do this summer and next. I had enough credits to transfer in as a junior and get approved to start clinicals in Sept. At this school only nursing classes are taken Junior and Senior year - 4 each semester. That is how it is full time.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Oh, also the other school would be part-time because they start nursing classes sophomore year and you take 2 or 3 nursing classes a semester while still taking other elective classes. I have all the elective classes done and only need the nursing classes.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I'm a 37-year-old mother of five children aged 1-11. We homeschool. I go to school full time. My first semester I got my 4.0. My second semester, I have one B (Med Surg II, missed the A by 8 points.) If you want to do the full-time schedule, it can be done, but as a previous poster said you must, must, must be organized. And you also have to be able to say no to people who want to suck your time away. I'd do the full-time schedule. Being full-time in an organized program won't take any more time than being part-time in an UNorganized program. The time you're saving by being part-time gets wasted by making up for others' lack of preparation.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in L&D.

Would you have to work as well? I would highly recommend the 2 yr program! I am younger(nearing 30) but have 4 children age 2-9. There is NO way I could work and do this at the same time with kids. Many can do it though, I just would be mentally and physically drained. Luckily me husband works and we have loans for school so that helps. Good luck in your decision! PS also going to the school with the good reputation will help you get a job faster!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I just want to say thank you to everyone. I officially accepted the full-time college and registered yesterday for fall classes. I'm pretty nervous but I know it is the right decision.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Hi I am 45 and almost through the LPN program. I work full time and an enrolled in the "part-time" program at night, I honestly don't know what's part time about it thought, lol. We are in school 3 days a week and in clinicals 3 days a week. It has been very hard at times, to be honest, but as some of the other have posted if you want it bad enough somehow you make it all work. The hardest part has been sacrificing some of the kids school programs and a home cooked meal every night, but I keep telling myself it's not forever.

There will be days where you are so exhausted you think you can't go on and somewhere, somehow you do go on. I am a firm believer that God will always give you what you need when you need it.

Good Luck to you and trust me you can do it!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Thank you Emmiesmom!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I am not 20 and I am finishing up my last prereq this summer and am excited for Nursing to start in the fall. I will have 2 days in the hospital and 2 days in class with lab. So far I have managed to maintain A's in all my classes.

I think the fact that you have kids in high school (at least one of them drives, right?) will make things easier than you think. I have a 16 year old who drives. This saves me an unbelievable amount of time! I can give a list to go to the store, go to own doctors appointments (with an approval form that must be done at the doctors office ahead of time).

Let your kids know that you are going to have to rely on them more to do more for themselves, help you with housekeeping, dishes, laundry, etc. Let the driver know that he/she will have to be a taxi for the younger ones (to practice, the store, errands, etc).

Explain to them that what you are about to embark on is not going to be easy and you need their support. My 16 year old HATES that I am always doing homework and studying everysingleday! (I do not work), listening to lecture, and dont want to hear music and want everything bone quiet at home when I am studying, but it's the sacrifice that I am making now for a better life for the future for all of us.

Make meals on Sunday, cook up a lasagna, some crock pot stuff during the week. Have whatever nights, where everyone fends for themselves. It wont be that way forever. Good luck to you!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment