How much of a time commitment??

First let me start by saying that more than half of the people in my class have children, mostly young children. Some classmates have 3 to 5. So it's definately possible. Every school is pretty different as far as schedules go, class time and clinical time. I'm in class 9 to 4 three days a week, and in clinical from 7 to 3 two days a week. The classtime varies greatly each each..some days its only 9 to noon...some days its noon to 3, it just depends. Clinical times stay the same every week and vary each semester. My last semester in OB/nurse management will be 12 hour clinicals two days a week.

You can probably call the school(s) you are applying to and ask for a tentative schedule. Let them know you have a child and are just trying to get an idea of what kind of hours you'll be spending in school.

Good luck, :)

Ginyer

Hi- I'm starting an RN program in January. It is an evening /weekend program where I will go to lecture Tuesday and Thursday from 6-10pm and have clinicals every OTHER weekend from 8-5. It will take an extra year to complete, but for my family's sanity it is worth it. THe regular program is M-F from 8-5. I have 3 children and, by January they will be 12, 5, and 4. Luckily, I have a supportive husband. There are a lot of different avenues that you can take. Call around to schools and hospitals to see what they have to offer.

I am in a day program and go full time and I am in clinical anywhere between 8-16 hours/week depending on what level you are in.

Class is about 10 hours/week.

Pre-clinical prep can be grueling and takes many hours to go to the hospital to get your patient assignment, and then look up diseases, procedures, medications.

There is a lot of studying involved.

There are many people in my class that have kids and jobs and are doing well.

I am beginning my 1st semester in August and my schedule looks like this:

Monday: 11-3 Fundamentals Theory

Monday: 3:30-5:30 Pharmacotheraputics

Tuesday: 8-12 Skills Lab

Tuesday: 12:30-5 Skills Check off (30 min. each, won't know when until Aug)

Wednesday: Study at home, no classes

Thursday: Clinical 6:45a - 3:45p

Friday - Sunday: no classes, study, grocery shop, study, cook for week, study, do laundry, study, family time (I am married with 4 children), study some more, clean up house, and study til cows come home!

Since I only have to go to school/clinical 3 days per week, I am hoping that I have plenty of time to get all of my housework done and see my family and still have lots of study time at home.

I do think that with one child it is very doable since I managed to do very well in all my pre-reqs and I was working full time. Now I am quitting my job (Aug. 11 is my LAST DAY!! ) to concentrate on school. Luckily, we have managed to cut our bills in half and put quite a bit of money in savings to prepare for losing my income. I know this is not possible for all students, but I do feel ever thankful that I could come up with a solution so that I didn't have to work!

THANK YOU all so much for your replies and keep them coming! Unfortunately, I live in a very small town so a "part-time" or nights/weekends program isn't available. Although, you guys are really starting to make me feel like this is do-able! Thanks again.

I have 3 children two 9 and one 3 I'm going into my last semester of nursing school. My classes are from 8 to 3 Monday and Thursday right now . Clinicals are from 6am to 3pm Tuesday and Wednesday. When you decide you really want something you learn how to come up with a schedule that fits all your needs ( study, dinner, cleaning, and play time with kids.) The chances are very good you can swing it... Good Luck

Labcat,

I seriously recommend you look into taking your pre-req..there are enough to keep you busy at a part-time level...then as things change on the home front or a variety of options for nursing school you can then sign up for the program...you maybe ahead of other students cause you are not balancing pre-req with nursing theory and clinicals...depending on the way the course plan is setup this may put you at a part-time to a very low full-time level which may work for you...

The important thing is...don't let go of your dream, strive to make it happen...begin clinicals...as you are eligable enroll into the waiting list...when your turn comes you can by pass it for another year or two...most colleges let you do this...you may wanna check first...

But make it happen, alot of people do it with young ones at home, you just gotta want it bad enough.

Annette

If you are going to go full time and are looking to do well you need to allow about 80 hours a week, between classes, lab, clinical, paperwork, research and studying.

If you want it you can do it!

I have three kids ages 5, 7 and 9. My school will be Mon. 8-12 Tues and Wed 6-3 (for clinical) and Thurs. 8-12, and I'm going to try to work the Friday and Saturday night shift to help out with the finances. I doubted my ability to even do pre req's until I was there and then I realized that if I wanted it I would make it happen. I just don't relax much anymore!

This semester I have 29 hours of class per week (15 credits), plus I work full time. You can do it!

I'm a mom of three kids ages: 10, 7 & 3

My fall schedule ( Aug 29th- Nov 11th) is like this:

Mondays classroom lecture & labs 10 am-4:30 pm

tuesdays classroom lecture & labs 10 am-4:30 pm

wednesdays hospital clinical 6:30 am -2:30pm

thursdays hospital clinical 6:30 am-2:30pm

If you apply for a loan for your school expenses, make sure to ask for extra to cover the costs of full time care.

Good luck, let us know how you worked out your situation. I also agree ,knock out any pre & co reqs before hand if possible!

Hi Everyone,

I'm thinking about going to nursing school and I was just curious what kind of daily time commitment is required? How often a day/week do you spend in class or clinicals. I'm curious because I have a young child and I don't know if we could swing full time daycare.

Thanks for your responses!

I am doing an accelerated program and this summer has been BUSY. Monday- Thursday getting out anywhere from noon to 4pm.

Lets put it this way...I have run out of milk about 3 times for far this summer b/c I havent had time to go get groceries. That used to be unheard of w/ me. This fall wont be as bad since its spead out over more time in a regular semester. Good luck:)