Can you guys give me an example of a day in the life of a nursing student?

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LAU2078660

6 Posts

This is the first text I want to emphasize diet and exercise. Most healthcare professionals I see are overweight, eat crap food and smoke. How they made through any type of medical training and then expect others to practice what they preach is beyond me. How hypocritical.

You need to make yourself a priority over anyone else in your family. Without you being healthy, you cannot be good for yourself, school, or family. I converted to eating fish and vegetables, drinking lots of protein shakes and work out a minimum an hour a day. I do 1/2 hour cardio (which I hate) and throw in weight lifting and yoga. If you cut out all the crap in your diet and exercise regularly, you cannot believe the amount of energy you will have and your mind will be clearer as well.

Manage your life and schedule and stop allowing it to manage you. Good luck!

RNhutch

1 Post

Honestly, the best advice one can provide you is to take one day at a time as it comes!!!! There are going to be many days when you will wish you were with somebody else doing something else BUT that is all part of it!! Many times I felt that way, I was most rewarded by my patients :) It will be difficult to manage your time at first but I want to encourage you in letting you know that it is all worth!! Honestly, it's hard for me to remember my first week of nursing school because it was such a blurrrr but I do remember looking around the room thinking "wow nobody knows me." Let me tell you now, THAT'S OKAY!! THESE WILL BE SOME OF YOUR BEST FRIENDS !!! They may be the only thing I do remember, so if anything your first couple of day enjoy getting to know them!! Don't be worried by the amount of information or deadlines on the syllabus!!! MANY have gone before you :) Good luck and be blessed!

Kelsey2015

2 Posts

am about to begin my Sophomore year of Nursing school, so I just finished up my freshman year. I never had to take pre-nursing courses, as my University is a direct entry program. However, since I'm only a year ahead of you, I can definitely fill you in on what you should be aware of your freshman year.

Last year, my classes typically lasted from 8:00 am until either 1:30 pm or 4:45 pm (It just depended on the day). I carried 16 credits first semester and 18 credits second semester. And this upcoming semester, I will be carrying 16 credits once again. My schedule looks like this:

Mondays: Pathophysiology from 8 am to 10:45 am, Human lifespan through development Psychology from 11:50 am to 12:40 pm. Then I am also schedule for Medical Terminology at 5:00 pm, but this is an online course, so I can work from the comforts of my own room.

Tuesdays: Religion: Death and Dying from 8:00 am to 9: 15 am.

Wednesdays: Pharmacology from 8:00 am to 10:45, Human Lifespan through Development Psychology from 11:50 am to 12:40 pm

Thursdays: Religion: Death and Dying from 8:00 am to 9:15 am

Fridays: Human Development through Lifespan Psychology from 11:50 am to 12:40 pm

I would get lunch around 12:40 every day, supper around 6 pm. And between those times, I would study, do homework, etc. I also spend time studying between classes as well. Since I'm not a fan of staying up until 3 am, I like to try and knock all my work out during the day, that way I have less to do at night. Also be sure to break up your study periods. Do NOT sit for 5 hours straight looking at a book. After a while, you're going to stop comprehending the material. After each chapter, get up and take a walk or do something to refresh yourself, then after about 20 minutes or so, return.

I also suggest that you review your notes immediately (or asap) after each class. So, let's say on your first day you take notes in your Anatomy class. When you get out, review the notes you took. Then the next time you have anatomy, review your notes from the previous class day and THAT day as well. Does this make sense? Do that for every class you have...that way you are always reviewing. Then, when it comes to the exam, you'll know most of the material J

Your first couple of days will consist of reviewing over the syllabus, what the course consists of, what is expected of you, etc. Most instructors will also begin their lectures on the first days as well. I suggest looking at your syllabus before classes start, and figure out what chapter you will be covering on the first day. Read it before attending class. Actually, this is a habit you may want to start making now. Read your material BEFORE class, not after. That way you have a clear understanding of what is being lectured on.

Always carry a notebook for taking notes (or, if you are a slow writer (like me), bring your laptop. Typing is way faster. And because I'm very anal about note taking, I like to go back and rewrite my notes by hand. It also is a great way to review what was lectured on), a pen or pencil ( I like to take notes in colored pens. I switch it up with each lecture, or each chapter....it makes studying a little better!), and a printout of your notes for that day. That's another big piece of advice...if your instructor posts notes or power point slides before the class, PRINT THEM OUT. It makes following along SO much easier, as well as note taking.

To de-stress, I like to work out. Not only is it scientifically proven to help with stress, it keeps you in shape and prevents that "Freshman 15". Along with working out, when I feel stressed, I just take a breather. I leave my room and school work for about 20 minutes, and I go somewhere else to hang out. I go sit with a friend and talk, or I call my family, or I go watch an episode of my favorite program. Find something that doesn't take TOO long, but is long enough to get you away from the stress for a short while. Then, once the activity is over, take a deep breath and return to your studies.

I live on campus my freshman year, and I'm living on campus again my sophomore. I personally love it. It is a great way to meet others and make connections! My home is an hour away from my school....it is probably close enough to commute, but when I consider the time it would take to drive back and forth every day, I realize I am losing study time. Plus it sucks up gas. So, just for those reasons alone, I chose to live on campus. I absolutely love it, and I have made SO many friends that way. Not to mention a lot of friends within the nursing program.

The main thing is to just stay focused. Always remind yourself why you want to be a nurse, and keep that goal in sight. Make nursing school your first priority. If you stay motivated, dedicated, and remain a hard worker you will be just fine!

Best of luck!

Stephalump

2,723 Posts

Specializes in Forensic Psych.

Whoops!

Stephalump

2,723 Posts

Specializes in Forensic Psych.

Did you start out doing 12 hour clinicals or are you near the end of the program?

We start out doing 5 hour clinicals in an LTC and then move into the hospital for our 12 hours around week 4.

Wolf888

35 Posts

Get through the first two weeks. Thats the worst because it is such a shock. However you will get into a routine and then you figure out ways to do everything and it gets easier. Also take things one week at a time and try to do your work before that week starts. Lastly just remember that if it was easy then everyone would do it. Good luck

SummitRN, BSN, RN

2 Articles; 1,567 Posts

Specializes in ICU + Infection Prevention.

A DAY IN THE LIFE OF A NURSING STUDENT:

Or how I realistically (cynically?) remember an average day from the first year written mostly in article/pronoun-free macro-stream-of-consciousness

Wake up at 0-too-frikin-early. Headache... possibly hungover? The open bottle of beer is full... so it isn't that. Stumble into the kitchen. Coffee beans in grinder... fall asleep standing up... fall on grinder... grinding beans wakes you back up.

Drive to school for 90 minutes while eating a banana, slurping coffee, and listening to class notes. Try not to hit the deer!

Some jerko took the last parking space, so park off campus and run to class to get there early enough to get a seat within reach of the 2 electrical outlets for the laptop.

Fellow zombie nursing students chatter while half asleep, mostly stressing about stuff that doesn't matter, complaining about poorly written tests, or who broke up with who.

Prof comes in and says something about clinical... lecture holds attention for about 20 minutes... but then facebook time while listening! Tune back in fully for another interesting part or war story from the prof. Take some notes and ask a question about something glossed over. Google it, then more facebook. Prof covers something really interesting, but only in brief detail, so google it to actually have a real understanding. Break time! Coffee and pee! Back to class... wash, rinse, repeat a few times.

Shove lunch in face while finishing lab prep sheets.

Simulation lab time is fun time!

Time for more lecture! Pretty much as before, but weakened brain can only handle about 10 minutes before drifting this time. Work on a paper for another class... prof is saying something about the test next week, full attention to the prof! OK... more googling for good journal articles on an interesting topic from earlier... read articles while half listening to lecture, tuning in for the important bits.

Class is done! Attempt to cram brain matter that has leaked out of the ears back where it goes, then get in the car and eat a sandwich while driving 30 minutes over to the clinical site for patient pickup.

Yay! Two patients... at opposite ends of the hall... both in isolation for C-Diff... one has 35 meds and the other has 32 meds. About 4 hours later, patient prep, writeups, and med sheets are complete. Stuff leaking brain back in ears again...

Drive home for 2 hours, listening to a book on tape (no more notes!). Get home, attempt to answer emails and plan the weekend. Look over at the textbook still in shrinkwrap and wonder why you paid so much for it while being thankful for a brain that doesn't require reading most assignments, or that whole commuting plan wouldn't work.

Make two sandwiches, one for dinner, one for lunch tomorrow, open a beer, eat sandwich, relax for a few minutes, have one sip of the beer, pass out.

My day in the life will entail this: MY FIRST DAY - 9/4/2012

0500 - Wake up - Hit the snooze button once, click on the TV and watch for 15 minutes as I force my eyes open to wake myself up before slugging out of bed. No, I am NOT a morning person!

0515 - Bathroom - Guess.

0517 - Breakfast - Head downstairs to start the coffee maker and make some breakfast. Usually 2 slices of cinnamon raisin toast with coffee. Feed the cats and dog if my husband hasn't already. Then, head back upstairs and turn on the PC, eat, and surf the internet for a bit.

0530 - Shower - (Censored) - too much info

0545 - Getting dressed, makeup, and hair done. This part may be extremely shortened on rushed days. But, normally I like to take my time getting ready in the morning, or at any time.

0730 - Leave the house - I grab my book bag and purse and head out the door. I hop in the car and drive to school. Depending on how my morning is going, I may stop at the local coffee shop for an extra cup of coffee.

0750 - Arrive at school - Walk down several flights of stairs to the nursing school building. Once inside, walk down another 2-3 flight of stairs to get to my classroom. I find a seat and sit down and try to get comfortable and relax. I get out my books and supplies. I turn off my phone. I chat with my neighbor students sitting next to me until class starts.

0800 - Orientation - Apparently this is when I receive my syllabus and introductions are made.

0900 - Lecture - Today's topics are discussed. Sometime, during the day I should get an hour lunch, and 10 minute breaks are given every 50 minutes or so of lecture.

1500 - Leave school - Class is over. I pack up my books and things and head out of the classroom. I walk up 2-3 flights of stairs and exit the building and continue to walk up several, leg cramping, back aching, flights of stairs to get to my car. Now, out of breath and my muscles full of lactic acid.... I drive home. Soooo much fun parking on a damn hill! I jest. :)

1520 - Arrive at home - Walk in the door, drop my bags off on the kitchen table, head to the fridge for a bottle of water and a snack, head upstairs to the PC room and eat, relax, and surf the internet for awhile. Once I realize I'm spending too much time doing nothing, I head downstairs and bring up my bag of books and purse. I then begin to study until it is time for dinner.

1800 - Dinner - I hope its something good.

1830 - Back to studying - I study until it is time for bed, whenever that is. After I'm done studying, I pack up my stuff and get my bags ready for the next day.

2100 - Get ready for bed. Wash my face, brush my teeth, change my clothes, have a snack, and head to bed to watch some TV before falling asleep. As I lay in bed, I run over today's activities in my head, and also think about the next day. Eventually, I will fall asleep.

2200 - Sleep.

You can pretty much repeat this day for all of my lecture days at school. In my third week, I will begin lab and clinicals. My schedule changes a bit but its pretty much the same thing. Now, I will have 2-3 days of lecture, a lab day, and a clinical day for my first semester of nursing school. All of it, Monday thru Friday from about 0700 to 1500.

Stephalump

2,723 Posts

Specializes in Forensic Psych.
A DAY IN THE LIFE OF A NURSING STUDENT:

Or how I realistically (cynically?) remember an average day from the first year written mostly in article/pronoun-free macro-stream-of-consciousness

Wake up at 0-too-frikin-early. Headache... possibly hungover? The open bottle of beer is full... so it isn't that. Stumble into the kitchen. Coffee beans in grinder... fall asleep standing up... fall on grinder... grinding beans wakes you back up.

Drive to school for 90 minutes while eating a banana, slurping coffee, and listening to class notes. Try not to hit the deer!

Some jerko took the last parking space, so park off campus and run to class to get there early enough to get a seat within reach of the 2 electrical outlets for the laptop.

Fellow zombie nursing students chatter while half asleep, mostly stressing about stuff that doesn't matter, complaining about poorly written tests, or who broke up with who.

Prof comes in and says something about clinical... lecture holds attention for about 20 minutes... but then facebook time while listening! Tune back in fully for another interesting part or war story from the prof. Take some notes and ask a question about something glossed over. Google it, then more facebook. Prof covers something really interesting, but only in brief detail, so google it to actually have a real understanding. Break time! Coffee and pee! Back to class... wash, rinse, repeat a few times.

Shove lunch in face while finishing lab prep sheets.

Simulation lab time is fun time!

Time for more lecture! Pretty much as before, but weakened brain can only handle about 10 minutes before drifting this time. Work on a paper for another class... prof is saying something about the test next week, full attention to the prof! OK... more googling for good journal articles on an interesting topic from earlier... read articles while half listening to lecture, tuning in for the important bits.

Class is done! Attempt to cram brain matter that has leaked out of the ears back where it goes, then get in the car and eat a sandwich while driving 30 minutes over to the clinical site for patient pickup.

Yay! Two patients... at opposite ends of the hall... both in isolation for C-Diff... one has 35 meds and the other has 32 meds. About 4 hours later, patient prep, writeups, and med sheets are complete. Stuff leaking brain back in ears again...

Drive home for 2 hours, listening to a book on tape (no more notes!). Get home, attempt to answer emails and plan the weekend. Look over at the textbook still in shrinkwrap and wonder why you paid so much for it while being thankful for a brain that doesn't require reading most assignments, or that whole commuting plan wouldn't work.

Make two sandwiches, one for dinner, one for lunch tomorrow, open a beer, eat sandwich, relax for a few minutes, have one sip of the beer, pass out.

Best. Ever.

Best. Ever.

^^ most definitely.

dturnin

24 Posts

Wow you guys seem busy, I will be able to post my schedule after Sept 4th Good Luck All

Wrench Party

823 Posts

Specializes in Cardiology, Cardiothoracic Surgical.

First year in general was:

Mon. 9-5 Class all day, go get clinical assignment (ugh!), home by 10, pack bags

Tues/Wed.- up at 5, clinical 7-1, go to work until 7 or 8 p.m., prepare for next day, fall into bed

Thurs- up at 6 to get to clinical by 8-2 class in afternoon 3-5ish

Friday- work

Saturday-Sun- catch up on laundry, chores, friends, hobbies, pray, acknowledge boyfriend's existence

Wash. Rinse. Repeat.

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