How can I be more supportive???

[drelvsme]

I hope you don't mind me posting here,

I'm the wife of a nursing student who just started clinicals (after 2 years of waiting) this past Monday the 9th. I find myself being impatient and I don't want to be that way, so I thought maybe you would be willing to list all the ways you have found people to be supportive during your schooling? And maybe some ideas on what will help me support my husband in this?

Ways that he could use, not just what's nice for me? I want to start this new part in our lives off right and I don't think I'm doing such a good job.

I'm used to having him with me a lot and I miss him, but I know it's for our future, and it's not like I'm a stranger to all of this my father went to school to be an LPN when I was in grade school and my mom is an RN, I currently work as a nanny for a single mother who is a doctor, so I know how much of yourselves you give for the sake of others, I just want to be able to do the same for my husband, but in ways that will truly help him.

Any thoughts you have would be great, I hope you don't mind my posting since I'm not a nurse or nursing student, I just feel like I am vicariously through my husband! LOL:wink2:

Thanks

-Nicole

[Katnip, RN]

Talk to your husband. He'll know his schedule best. Then the two of you should be able to set a specific evening each week for a "date" night. Even if you don't go anywhere you can rent a movie, have dinner in, just the two of you. Both of you commit to that time together.

You don't say if you have young kids or not. If not, then each evening the two of you take a 20 minute walk together. It will be good for him to get away from the books for a short time-a very necessary thing because everybody needs a daily study break, and it will be good for you to feel still connected.

[Indy, LPN, LVN]

Foot massages after clinicals.

[drelvsme]

No we don't have children, we've been married 3 years. We do do the date night thing, I just didn't think we would have time for that anymore , His schedule is pretty demanding, and he needs study time, the walks sound wonderful though, I think he can spare 20 minutes! :) That's a great idea!!!

From what I've read I've heard that during nursing school you pretty much say goodbye to all your friends and family for the time, but is that an exaggeration? From what his schedule looks like for this semester, I don't think it's too far from the truth. I just want to know what he needs from me you know? sigh....

[tencat]

I think it's easy for us students to 'say goodbye' to family and friends while we do this thing called nursing school, but it's not good for us to do that! I was pulling all A's.....and not spending time with my husband and daughter. Then this past semester I slacked off the studying to spend more time with them. I sacrificed the A's, but I didn't fail. I love school and want to be a good nurse, but my family comes first. My husband was very glad that I spent more time with him and with our daughter. Keep the lines of communication open. It's weird, but starting school was a point where I was trading in one identity (being a teacher) for a new one (becoming a nurse). It's a strange and stressful time for me, but I'm making sure I keep in touch with those who are important to me.