Help! How Hard & How Many Hours?

amybethf · Mar 19, 2007

I think you'll have a good idea if u like the medical field when u take your A & P classes; they require a lot of work and not just for memorization, u need to KNOW it as the nursing classes build upon that foundation. If u like science and are a compassionate person and are 100% devoted - u can do it. And don't let anybody else tell u different. Anything is possible when u put your heart and mind into it.

U will find a way to make everything fit. U might have to sacrifice some things u don't want to but it's not forever. Incorporate your daughters into your study time - do your work together! Big sacrifices reap big rewards.

I hope u find your way and Good Luck!

BrayaRN · Mar 19, 2007

I am currently in an ADN program. At least half of my class members have kids. Two of the women have five kids. Some even work, go to school, and raise their families. I would say most students in my program are average to above average intelligence.

I am in my third semester and spend an average of nine hours in lecture and fourteen hours in clinical a week. I have class four days a week.

I spend much time during the week on school work, probably four hours during the week. I will spend 10-15 on Friday through Sunday.

I would say that you definitely can do it. It requires some sacrifices, but it is possibly to live a fairly normal life.

MySimplePlan · Mar 22, 2007

by not working, you have given yourself a leg up.

If you don't do this now, how old will the girls be in three years? And what will you have accomplished by then?

I really think your schedule will allow you to do the things you want to do: school, study, kids. You won't be able to sit around and watch football on Sundays anymore, but that's a dumb sport, anyway.

But you can't be sexymonkeyboy in NS; you just can't.

DAMomma · Mar 23, 2007

MySimplePlan! You crack my up every time!!!

"But you can't be sexymonkeyboy in NS; you just can't":monkeydance:

Ms.RN · Mar 23, 2007

i guess i can kinda give you an idea of my schedule. i'm in the second year of adn program and here is what my class is like. in every classes (med surg, peds etc.), i have tests every two weeks for total of 3 tests, and then comprehensive final a week after my third test. i have a lecture on monday, and clinicals at the hospital on tuesday and wedsdays. so if i have a test on folloiwing monday, i study from thursday through sunday, no outings, going out etc. after i take my test, i relax and i usually have fun on the same weekend. so you can balance school and social life.

MySimplePlan · Mar 24, 2007

MySimplePlan! You crack my up every time!!!
"But you can't be sexymonkeyboy in NS; you just can't":monkeydance:

One has to keep their humor in nursing school!!!!

MIKelly · Mar 27, 2007

I have four kids ages 3-7 and I'm only slightly afraid of the workload that nursing school may bring (Heck everyone says how awful it is, I'm totally braced already before I'm even in!). I think if you are not working you should be able to have time with your children and get your schoolwork done.

mstigerlily · Mar 27, 2007

Yes, nursing school was challenging and time consuming but it's not like medical school or law school which IMO is more difficult. If you are not working and don't have custody of your kids you will probably have much more time than at least half of your classmates.

Hi.
I'm considering going to nursing school. I am scared to death after reading the posts about needing to forget that I have any sort of life outside of nursing school. I have two girls ages 9 and 12. I dont have custody of them but I am afraid that if i go into school that I wont have any time at all to spend with them after school or on weekends for 3 or so years ( going to CC for an ADN and getting prereq). Is this really the case? Realisticly, how much time should I count on banking for going to class and studying? In this senerio I wouldn't be working. My job would be school. I am an average student. Am I talking 60hrs a week or am I talking 80-90? I know that no one can give me an exact answer, but if it is 60 or less I would think I would still have time to see my kids and be a part of their lives. I want to better myself and be able to provide a better life for my family but I'm not sure i'm willing to go forward if it means that I will be forced to be completely absenst from my childrens lives. Is it realistic that I might be able to count on studing or going to class between the hours of say 8am-6/7pm m-f and have a good amount of time on weekends to see the girls? Any insight anyone could provide would be exteremly helpful. Thanks so much!!

rntoben2008 · Mar 27, 2007

by not working, you have given yourself a leg up.
If you don't do this now, how old will the girls be in three years? And what will you have accomplished by then?
I really think your schedule will allow you to do the things you want to do: school, study, kids. You won't be able to sit around and watch football on Sundays anymore, but that's a dumb sport, anyway.
But you can't be sexymonkeyboy in NS; you just can't.

Oh mysimpleplan, that is just so funny!!!!!

07302003, ASN, RN · Apr 5, 2007

Nursing school IS hard. You have to buckle down, many have failed out from not doing so. NO TV, no hanging out, no goofing off, no lazing around. It's do-able with kids, but you have to be DRIVEN, and disciplined.

It helps in nursing school to get a job at a hospital as a nurse tech or extern to get more experience, part time, but this will be after your first semester.

My priorities were KIDS #1, and then nursing school. There wasn't anything left after that. And I made it. And am paying back the loans to prove it.....

Good luck.

reagen · Apr 17, 2007

Nursing school is hard, but you have to know that it is not all there is. I have been out for 1 year. I went to nursing school full time with 2 young girls and had a son my junior year and still managed to graduate on time with an A average in a BSN program. It was rough, but I made it. I can't tell you about the ADN though. Just make sure and give yourself brakes, otherwise you will burn out! :uhoh3:

GOOD LUCK!!!!!!!!!!