Home/Study Schedule (with family)

[MystyqueOne]

Hello All,

I am about to start my first class in Nursing school. I have two small children (4 1/2 years and almost 4 months) and am trying to figure out a schedule to accommodate all that needs to be done. This includes family time, school time, study time, homework, etc, etc, etc.

I was wondering what all of your schedules are like on a day to day basis or weekly basis. I am just trying to create a good, well-rounded schedule to make sure I am successful in school, but not totally neglecting my family by doing so.

Please give me a general idea (with clock hours) of what your schedule is like with nursing school/studying/homework/family/and self needs (grooming, sleep, etc.).

Thank You all so much for your time in writing out your schedules so I can get some ideas on making this all work!

[AllSmiles225]

I worked through nursing school full time but I didn't have a family to take care of. If I were you I would do as the above posters have said and maybe cook extra meals on the weekend so you can focus your time into studying during the week when you will have exams. Also, before you get rid of your job completely you may want to take a look at your class syllabus before you cut it out completely. I'm not saying to definetely work..but why put yourself in debt if you can manage 1 8 hour shift per week..it may be possible thats all i'm saying. Obviously the job would be the first thing to go..but I would give it a shot before I got rid of it..you'd all be suprised how much that job helps. I remember doing care plans and opening up charts while I was at work to get a good idea of how to do one..nurses were a big help when they had the time of course and when I was finished I had a job to go to. Anyway.. I would count on needing a couple hours a day of study time and since your children are small and your husband is at work anyway I would do a lot of my studying in the evening hours after the kids are in bed and your husbands gone. The house will be quiet and you will be able to concentrate on what you need to. Undistracted study time is the key to getting through nursing school along with the support of your family. My boyfriends mom made it through nursing school going full time with a 5 and a 2 year..and working as a waitress full time AND going through a divorce. YOU CAN DO ANYTHING YOU SET YOUR MIND TO! Nurses are planners and I can accept that but once you get the syllabus of your clinicals and the days you will have tests you will be much more prepared to set up an in depth calendar. Print a blank one offline and fill in all the days you have tests along with the days and times you are going to study. Make things realistic and leave time to go see a movie/go to the beach with the kids. I used to get 200 page reading assignments that I would break down on the calendar: June 1st pp1-40 June 2nd pp41-80 and so on.. you will make it work BECAUSE YOU WANT TO! Good luck to you--I know you will do wonderful!

[MystyqueOne, BSN, RN]

Thank you AllSmiles! YOu had some excellent advice that I will definitely put to use! I like the blank schedule idea and also the breaking up the reading (even though 40 pages a night sure is a lot at one sitting...). Like you said, breaks and a little time for myself will make things manageable. I'm going to look for a blank schedule online. I did purchase a little weekly planner to write assignments and such, but I think I need something a little more specific... each hour of the day! I suppose I'll just have to keep an eye on the clock... I know when I get to researching or report writing, I tend to be a perfectionist and will work on those things for hours. So, I need to make sure I don't overdo my times and neglect other things (which we all know that family comes first). Thanks so much!!!

[AllSmiles225]

Nurses are perfectionists--it is part of our profession. Seeing everything laid out visually on a calendar makes you feel like you have a little bit of control over a situation that often feels like it is spinning rapidly out of control..it often is the only thing that helps you keep your sanity. It keeps you on the right track and allows you to not become overwhelmed. If you need anymore help/advice you know where to come..we've all been where you are..its a bumpy road but the end prize is so worth every tear! Good luck honey!

[MystyqueOne, BSN, RN]

Thanks again AllSMiles! Thank Goodness for your advice that made me feel "normal"... About nurses being perfectionists!!! It's tough to turn something in when you feel it may not be the absolute "perfect", but then feels wonderful when you get a really good grade on something you "thought" could've used more work. I guess with us perfectionists, nothing is ever as perfect as we would like! Thanks!

[morte, LPN, LVN]

Thank you AllSmiles! YOu had some excellent advice that I will definitely put to use! I like the blank schedule idea and also the breaking up the reading (even though 40 pages a night sure is a lot at one sitting...). Like you said, breaks and a little time for myself will make things manageable. I'm going to look for a blank schedule online. I did purchase a little weekly planner to write assignments and such, but I think I need something a little more specific... each hour of the day! I suppose I'll just have to keep an eye on the clock... I know when I get to researching or report writing, I tend to be a perfectionist and will work on those things for hours. So, I need to make sure I don't overdo my times and neglect other things (which we all know that family comes first). Thanks so much!!!

you might find a small timer to be a good thing to buy......that way you can concentrate on the task at hand, and allow it to remind you when to move on to the next task....instead of having one eye on the clock....