Help! How Hard & How Many Hours?

[sexymonkeyboy]

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!!

[emmycRN]

In my own personal experience I had plenty of time for both of my children during school. I was pregnant with my second one during part of it. You should be done with class pretty early in the day but you will have to do some studying in the evenings and on weekends. Of course, some people need to study more than others but I spent about 1.5-2 hours each evening and 4-5 each day on the weekends. Especially if there is a test the next week. BUT, remember no school during the holidays and summer. So if you don't have to work during this time, you will actually be spending more time with your family than if you worked full time.

Good luck!

[Tweety, BSN, RN]

Before you start, set priorities and a time management schedule. Anything can be done when there's a will there's a way. Remember you can't do it all, but with priorities and a working list and utilizing your resources, you'll make it through.

I'll move this to the student forum where more people might see it and help.

Good luck.

[midcom]

I think people tend to exagerate about the amount of time it will take. You'll certainly have time for your children, just not as much as you'd have if you weren't going to school. Plan on at least 1.5-2 hours study time for every hour in class. That's about average. Special projects will take extra time. If you're an average student,don't try to be an A student. Be happy with average grades. You'll still pass, and that's all you need.

Most schools schedule classes between 8 & 5, M-F although some programs are set up for just weekends or evenings. Clinicals will be a different matter. Often they start as early as 6 AM or last well into the evening, depending on when you are scheduled. You probably can negotiate when you are scheduled. At my school, at least we can choose between morning or evening & that's kind of nice when you have to arrange for sitters or schedule around a job.

Dixie