Having a boyfriend while in nursing school....

SecondGenRN · Feb 22, 2007

Well it's sad to say, but many of the girls in my class (myself included) split with their long term signifigant others during first year of the program. Nursing is a very intense program and requires a LOT of time studying and writing papers. It really takes a special person to understand the time we need to devote to school.

With that said, it's not IMPOSSIBLE! If you find someone special and they understand that school is a big priority it could work. Besides, who wants a boyfriend that doesn't understand whats important to you anyways?

dodgerla · Feb 22, 2007

I'm married and he's great. He understands that what I'm doing is important. Today was a really hard day in clinicals and when I got home, I told him about it(without violating privacy) and he encouraged me that I could do it. He's wonderful and having him to support me through this is something I couldn't imagine not having now. SO, if you find someone who is incredibly understanding and supportive, then great, but if he's not, it will be very hard! Good Luck!

lisabeth · Feb 22, 2007

You are extremely lucky. I just dont think many men would be like that. I am sure men have the same problem if they are trying to get through this with a girlfriend.

I met my husband of 4 plus years while doing my pre-reqs. I also had 2 young boys ages 7 and 9. He was the best thing to come along. He helped with my childrens studies as I did mine. When the boys went to bed. he would sit me down in the kitchen so that I could do my homework. (I also worked every other weekend at a hospital as a nurse aide. While the boys were at their fathers.)
I told my husband from the start that I was too busy for a relationship and that I didn't need the extra stress. He proved me wrong!!
I'm not saying go out and find a man. I'm saying if it happens and he is good to you and knows that you need to study things can work. Also you need to relax once in awhile. Nursing school is very demanding and all work and no play can bring you down!!!!

pipersjo, ADN, BSN, MSN · Feb 23, 2007

My bf of 2.5 years and I broke up partially because of nursing school. Not that nursing school said that I had to break up with him (LOL!), but the time constraints were not so easy on us. He worked 2 jobs, and I worked and had school--it was just too much. We were together for close to a year before I started school so it wasn't that new of a relationship.

netty78 · Feb 23, 2007

First of all, I believe that you shouldn't exactly "plan" whether or not you're going to have a significant other. If you meet someone who is truly understanding and wants to be by your side just as you want to, then it is no major obstacle by any means. I am married to a wonderful man who supports my nursing career 100%. He actually helps me so much, I think it would be harder to do it on my own. I am in my last semester of my BSN and he has been with me since I was doing my nursing pre-reqs. The only difficult part about being married while in school is that I want to spend more "off-time" with him, but I'm studying most of the time. My advice to you is to focus on your nursing and keep that as a priority. However, if the love of your life comes your way, do not shut the door!! I believe that if you are in a relationship and it seems that the other person is not supportive, then you are with the WRONG person!!

chuckg82 · Feb 10, 2008

well, you can say that there isn't enough time , but i know for myself(the boyfriend of 8 months today of a nursing student ) that it is possible it just takes the right guy. lol my girlfriend has a son and is a nursing student so its a possibility to make it work. Patience and love are the two main things the guy has to have in order for it to work. I only get to see her on a test week 2 days but knowing that she loves me alot and we both have a deep caring and commitment to eachother makes it work and the time spent with her , her and her son and the combonation of the 2 amazing. so yeah like i said paitence on the guys part it will work and will last and might even be better because of it . As for me i guess the patience thing comes from being a navy guy lol so yea date a guy in or formerly in the military :bugeyes:

LydiaNN · Feb 10, 2008

I had a boyfriend my first year. It didn't last, but that's because of non-school related issues. He was pretty supportive and I think that if everything else had been okay, we would have made it work.

Several of my friends had relationships and went on to marry those guys. It probably helped that their SOs were also in school at the same time.

fubeca003 · Feb 11, 2008

I met my wife during my first semester of nursing school and we got married over the summer between second and third semester. It has not been easy. She works full time and goes to school, I work about 30hrs/week and will graduate this semester.

I think that if you find the right person that is willing to support you, go for it!!

beachbum3 · Feb 11, 2008

date a guy in or formerly in the military :bugeyes:

:lol2: My bf of 4 years is the most impatient person I know... and he was in the Marine Corps.

I think its more about understanding than patience. He has to realize that when you need to study, you need to study, and its not always about him. And if he doesn't understand that he's probably not someone who would be a good partner anyway.

As to whether or not you can make it work, I don't see why you couldn't. We live together, and have for 3.5 yrs, so that makes it easier to see each other (obviously) but I still think it could be done even if you didn't live together and it was new.

Hazel11 · Feb 11, 2008

My boyfriend and I have been together for 3 years and we were high school sweethearts. :heartbeat He knew from the start that I'd be away at college working on my nursing degree, and he has stuck behind me. It has been hard for me to be 1.5 hours away from home, but he knows that I am a dedicated worker and that I will focus on my studies. Communication over the phone and/or Internet has been helpful. I know that even if it doesn't work out, that I will always concentrate on my education.

leashmarie · Feb 12, 2008

I totally agree with IIG... I can't believe that people even consider comparing a relationship to an "extracirricular activity"... Yeah, i understand how difficult it is... I just tell myself that I got lucky to have someone that understands what it's like to be dedicated to my schoolwork, as well as any other goal I set.

IIg is right, you shouldn't consider a relationship like a pet--- You can't help who you fall in love with... God's plan will unwind whether we plan on it or not... Plus, right again, if the person that you wind up with truly cares for you, they should understand that it can be DEATHLY stressful to go through with something as difficult as nursing school is on a relationship--- you just have to remind yourself that going through a Nursing program is and will not be the most difficult thing in your life... more difficult trials will come, but lemme tell ya, this will help prepare you for them for sure :)

Alternator81 · Feb 12, 2008

Ok, if she said I go to nursing school and take care of 3 orphan children, or I go to nursing school and am an indentured servant on the side, I would say "ok, you really don't have time to have a boyfriend." But give me a break! The nursing student "I'm so busy" thing is almost becoming cliche! I am sure that she can find a few moments in her in the 168 hours in the week to spend time with someone else! She is not looking to adopt a child!