Is there time for extracurricular activities while in Nursing school?

eeenfermera · Sep 18, 2014

I'm not a nurse yet, but I wonder about this too… hoping to start nursing school in January and have a lot of hobbies/volunteer activities I'd like to keep with. I also have a prior undergraduate degree and managed to fit it all in + gym + yoga + pick up some contract work on the side, but I'm slowly realizing that perhaps that will be less than completely realistic this time around :unsure:

**NICU Guy, BSN, RN** · Sep 18, 2014

I would say that it would be possible. Odds are there are going to be times that you will miss a martial arts class due to clinicals, test the next day, research paper, or other class commitments. You need some kind of exercise to vent stress from school. Just don't be to rigid that you have to attend all of the martial arts classes at the expense of nursing school obligations.

RNperdiem, RN · Sep 18, 2014

Compared to working a full time job, there was always time for a life outside school. I even worked a part time job while taking dance classes and having time to spend with friends.

If you can make time for hobbies, your life will be all the more interesting and satisfying.

firstinfamily, RN · Sep 18, 2014

You should have time to exercise and use this as your stress relief!! I do not know how intensive the martial arts class will be. I would be guessing pretty intense. For me 4-5 times a week would be overkill. Perhaps 2-3 times a week would be more realistic. The mental and physical demands of nursing school are many and you might need some time to just decompress---some relaxation time. You will have to study and prepare for clinicals, it is not like you just go to class and that is it. There is a lot of outside projects, preparation you have to do. I do not think you would have to give it up altogether, but most likely decrease your number of sessions. It should be a great outlet!! Same for creativity----we all need to feed our inner child!!

natmanzo · Sep 18, 2014

That's a concern of mine too. I love going to the gym because it relieves so much stress

Everline · Sep 18, 2014

This differs for each individual and will vary depending on where you are in nursing school/the demands of a particular course. I'm in my last semester and I could probably pull that off now, but no way in my earlier semesters. Having said that, it's a very good idea to keep up with exercise and take care of yourself. If you can manage it, that will be great. Shoot for it and adjust accordingly if you need to. There will likely be times where it's easy to get in 4 or 5 workouts a week, and other times not so much.

monkeyhq · Sep 19, 2014

Do you have a job? If you have to work and go to nursing school (full time, full schedule of classes), don't expect 10 hours a week of free time to devote to martial arts.

I went to school full time, and did not have a job so I could concentrate all my time on studies. I attended sessions with my personal trainer 2x per week for one hour each. At times, the coursework overload prevented ANY free time, and numerous 'up all night' sessions. This isn't the norm, though there will be days that are like this (psych paper, clinical rotation, case studies, care plans, patho-phys, and ethics all due in the same week!).

Depending on your schedule, give the first few weeks a try without the MA. If you see that there is adequate time, sign up for your sessions because physical activity is terrific stress relief. In the meantime, practice your forms in your own residence (instead of going to a martial arts gym). Once you get a rhythm, adapt accordingly. :)

SopranoKris, MSN, RN, NP · Sep 19, 2014

Scheduled marital arts classes 4 - 5 days a week might be a bit much, especially in your first semester. Our first 6 weeks of nursing school was so jam packed busy, there was no time for anything else. It's all going to depend on how your program is structured.