Nursing Pets

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I am wondering if any other nursing students have pets that have helped them get through nursing school :nurse: I have a cat named "Pinky" who is ten years old, we adopted her a year ago. Pinky likes to sit on my lap and sleep nearby when I do my homework. Whenever I need a break she is there wanting to be petted and given attention. I love her dearly. Sometimes when I'm doing my homework I see Pinky playing with her toy mice by herself and I feel bad when I don't have enough time to spend with her. Also, on long days when I am away from home Pinky always runs to the door when I get back because she's lonely. I've thought about getting her a playmate but was told she doesn't get along with other cats. She is my baby and an only child I guess :redbeathe

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When I read your title I was thinking teacher's pet not actual pets lol. Anyways, I have no pets. I used to have fishes but it died with many others.... (unfortunately the truth is all my fishes died).

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Specializes in Operating Room.

I adopted a dog the year I started college, best decision ever. After a really long day, she greets me at the door and is super excited to see me. Then we play with some stuffed toys, do some tricks, and cuddle on the couch. The stress melts away. She never ceases to make me smile. Sorry that sounds more like a significant other than a dog, but I am a little bit obsessed with her. :o

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Specializes in None.

I'm not in nursing school yet. But, I have a one year old labrador retrevier, and he's the best gift i've ever gotten!! While i'm studying he'll bring his toy and drop it at my feet I feel bad I can't play all the time with him :(. But, it's sad...the more i'm around inmature people the more i love being around my dog! :)

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Specializes in ICU.

My cats are my babies. I have 2...one we adopted 3 years ago and a kitten that kind of fell into our lives 6 months ago. They sit on the table and watch me study or curl up by my feet if I'm reading in bed. They purr and rub their heads on my books and laptop when they want me to pet them instead of studying. They keep each other entertained, so I don't feel so bad when they want to play...I just send one of them chasing after a wadded up ball of paper and then the other starts chasing the one chasing the paper and then they run around the house for 30 minutes until they fall asleep again. So precious!

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Specializes in Pediatric ICU.

I wish I had a dog, but I feel like I don't have enough time between classes and clinical hours to give as much attention as a pet needs! But I love seeing my friend's dogs!!!

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When I read your title I was thinking teacher's pet not actual pets lol. Anyways, I have no pets. I used to have fishes but it died with many others.... (unfortunately the truth is all my fishes died).

When I see this thread title, I keep getting images of a cat being breast fed or a dog with a stethoscope and penlight. Count me as one more who values the companionship and stress relief that my dog provides me.

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My cat sits by me when I study, he's my study group. He always greets me at the door when I get home from class or clinical. Overall, he makes my life much less stressful. He's been a great companion through nursing school and just life in general.

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My husband and I have two dogs and no kids. I love my dogs and they are always there to "listen" when I have a bad day. I read a few articles saying that pet owners live longer and healthier lives then non-pet owners. I am not sure of the science behind their study but I know I would not trade my babies for anything.

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I have 2 pugs! They are worse than new born baby twins! But I wouldn't trade them for the world. They help me keep going when the going is tough. They are my world!

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Specializes in Mother Baby RN.

I have a 4 year old cat, Jameson. He's the best little study partner and de-stresser I've ever known. I am married w/o children and live in a smallish apartment in the city. He's helped me with several of my validations by letting me practice on him (my husband works a lot and travels frequently), namely percussions, interview questons, and general other stuff. He curls up next to me while I study and seems to prefer that, when I get up to take a break, he is ready to play. I had a buddy for him since I felt he was lonely and bored, but he seemed more lonely, so my Mother-in-law took him and it seems to have worked out better for both kitties. We'd like a dog, but our lives just don't facilitate that right now. There are some people in my program that have dogs and say they're the best and very necessary for mental sanity, lol.

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Specializes in ICU, ED, PICC.

I have a dog :) I'm so glad I have him for this last semester that I'm dragging through (yay!). And I am glad that my bf helps me watch him when I'm busy with clinicals and class and hw.

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