How much of a time commitment??

youknowho · Jul 27, 2005

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:)

nfsaldal · Jul 28, 2005

I'm starting my second semester in an ADN program and will be in class Mon and Tues from 9-12 and clinicals on Wed and Thurs from 3-11pm

lizavassallo · Jul 28, 2005

congrats on being able to quit your job, this is one thing i am worried about when i transition to nursing, i would like to just finish the program and go right into a new job from the old corporate job,

my husband and i split the bills and save money but i was hoping to not have a time where i don't work because i have been independent for a long time and prefer to earn and spend the money i worked for,

do all nurses need to stop working for a while or just work part time to make the tranisition?

thanks for your responses....

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!

underwatergirl · Jul 28, 2005

I was married with no kids when I went to Practical Nurse school...I was a full time student...I worked between 24-40hrs a week...mostly 16 hours on the weekend...hope that helps...I couldn't not work between school cost and my spending habits (LOL I spend every penny)...now I am in EC program and work fulltime and do that partime...

Hope it helps,

Annette

lizavassallo · Jul 28, 2005

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

thanks so much for the encouragement, i want to start having kids when i'm finished with the transitioning, the school i will attend offers evening and weekend courses so i believe the other requirements would also have to revolve around the same class schedule.

lizavassallo · Jul 28, 2005

I was married with no kids when I went to Practical Nurse school...I was a full time student...I worked between 24-40hrs a week...mostly 16 hours on the weekend...hope that helps...I couldn't not work between school cost and my spending habits (LOL I spend every penny)...now I am in EC program and work fulltime and do that partime...
Hope it helps,
Annette

this was very helpful, thank you for sharing your experience with me.

labcat01, BSN, RN · Aug 1, 2005

Thanks for all your advice! I'm going to register for A&P and maybe Micro (my pre-reqs) and then i'll just be lurking around in here until it is time to appy!

underwatergirl · Aug 1, 2005

labcat,

May I make a recommendation...you take prereq's other than your science classes first...because most colleges your science classes "expire" in 5 years, yes I knwo you plan on completely it before then, but always safer to error on the side of caution.

Annette

labcat01, BSN, RN · Aug 1, 2005

labcat,
May I make a recommendation...you take prereq's other than your science classes first...because most colleges your science classes "expire" in 5 years, yes I knwo you plan on completely it before then, but always safer to error on the side of caution.
Annette

Thanks...I wish someone had told me that years ago :)

Actually, A&P I &II are the only pre-reqs that I need and i'm having to re-take Micro.... grrrr

**RosesrReder, BSN, MSN, RN** · Aug 1, 2005

My classes are 3.5 hrs a class twice a week for 16 weeks . Study time for each class for me is about 5 hrs a week, add 2 jobs and a household to take care of and you have a very busy student. I enjoy it very much though. Best wishes to you.

underwatergirl · Aug 2, 2005

Labcat,

If you are on the waiting list and want to take a class or want to greatly help your learning studies..I seriously recommend taking Medical Terminology, the benefit of that to my career is outstanding...I can't even begin to tell you how much that has made a difference...it will give you a great edge over your counterpart students...

Nursing is something that the more you surround yourself with it, the easier or more knowledge you contain...

Good luck to you

Annette

robmom1 · Aug 2, 2005

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

Annette, You have made my day! That is exactly what I am doing. I am glad to know that other people have done it, too. It is going to take me about 3 years to finish my prereqs and support courses (I am re-taking many that I didn't do well in with my BS). By the time I am ready to apply my youngest will be starting kindergarten. Thanks!

Ashli