Making time during a BS to BSN Accelerated Program

verene, MSN · Aug 11, 2017

I am nearing the end of a 15 month ABSN program. It has been an intense but wonderful ride. While there have been time of high stress in this program, I can honestly say that is it NOT the most stressful thing I have ever done with my life. This program has eaten a good chunk of my time but not all of it. I think keeping perspective helps - nursing school can be tough, but it shouldn't actually devour your whole life and soul. I prioritize self-care and thus have made time to see friends and family, exercise, eat well, and take days off for fun. I highly recommend building time for self-care into your routine during the program.

Accept that you will not be perfect. No one is. Sometimes you will struggle - that is part of the learning process. If you are able to let go of perfectionistic tendencies (or at least be realistic with them), have solid study habits, effective time management skills, and the ability to prioritize the things that matter to you over the things that don't, you will likely be just fine.

Managing family may be tricky - I do not have children, however many of my classmates have managed this program with children. I think having a support system in place, and setting realistic expectations about work load and availability are important, but so is not neglecting your family. Once again schedule set times each day and each week for them. It will help all of you.

3ringnursing, BSN · Aug 18, 2017

My husband was a real estate appraiser when the financial bubble popped and the bottom fell out on the industry. This was a guy with more than 20+ years in the field and pushing 50 without a workable income. He went to work for the city government appraising for them, but it wasn't even a living wage.

He researched his options and decided he would try something in healthcare.

I had been a nurse but had been out of work for nearly ten years due to SLE and on SSI - I was given no options: return to work full-time or die trying. Our debt was building fast, and as people approaching retirement soon we had nothing saved. We were well and truly screwed.

I got a job doing telephone triage nursing from home. It's been a life saver (I wouldn't have been able to work otherwise).

My husband chose COTA - it was an intense 21 month program. He also got a job working in a kitchen (25 years ago he had been a successful sous chef). Boy how things had changed in that arena and he felt like a fish out of water.

Did I mention he also have been doing volunteer work too and had to squeeze that in? Thankfully, our son was 21 at the time, or I surely would have imploded.

It was tough, but he got through it as an honor student, and got a fast track AD in the process. When he graduated his earnings rivaled mine. The downside is the student loans he took to do it - we are now in our 50's and trying to save every penny for missed retirement opportunities in the past.

Is it hard? You bet! Is it worth it? Only you can say for sure.

But I do have to say that someone who is so in love with nursing as you are that it would be a damn shame for you to be anything else but a nurse. We so need someone with your education, and your pure love for nursing.

Please - do it. Even if you have to eat macaroni and cheese for 18 months, and call in all your markers for favors, PLEASE DO IT.

I have 15 years shelf life left before retirement. It would be amazing to potentially pass the mantel to one who is so driven and whom loves nursing for nursing's sake. And I will cheer you on every step of the way if required.

If you don't do it I feel that you will so regret it. Best of luck - now go get em!

AceOfHearts<3 · Aug 18, 2017

I did an accelerated program- it was even faster than the one you are doing. I don't have a family, but one of my close friends in the program did.

It's important for everyone to have balance or else things will eventually catch up. Stay organized and keep up on your studies- I cannot stress this enough! Study a little each day and take time at the end of the week to review all the material. Make sure you are studying smart- take advantage of any services your school has if you feel you need them.

Make sure you have scheduled time just for family as well as yourself. If you have a long commute you can find a way to study on your commute (listen to recorded lectures, etc.) or use that time as time for yourself (listen to music or audio books, etc.).

Meal plan for the week or even further ahead- prep frozen meals during school breaks, etc.

Make sure you have enough clinical uniforms to last an entire week (maybe even plus one). It's no fun when you realize late the night before clinical you don't have a clean uniform (and subsequently have to stay awake to do 1-2 loads of laundry.

Good luck!

Miss.LeoRN · Aug 19, 2017

I can only tell you what worked for my family; which was essentially, everyone stepped up so that I could step back.

My husband did most the cooking (he's a chef, so it wasn't all bad); the kids did more around the house and did more to take care of the pets. Appointments were either scheduled by what was convenient for me, or for when my husband could take them. Events, family stuff, and everything else really took a 7th seat. I had to pick and choose what was important for me to be there for or attend, what I needed to be there for or attend, and what I could sacrifice. I missed many trips to the theater for a movie I wanted to see. I missed recitals, games, school functions.. some of it more heartbreaking than others.

One thing I can say is resign to yourself right now that you will miss things. You can't and won't be able to be there for everything. You will need time to study, and time to recharge. You will have long, difficult days where hiding in a closet is more appealing than a soccer game no matter how much you love your child. You will have to pick and choose what you can and want to participate in or be there for, and decide on what you can't. Somethings will be more valuable to you than others. Seeing my kids off to school in the morning was one of those things for me. I'd be up all night, studying (because the best time for that in my house was 11pm - 3am), sleep for 3 hours, see them off, sleep for another 2, and off I was to class. Just trust that they are watching, trust that they understand, and trust that everything you're doing in not being there is making a positive impression. It will be heartbreaking, you will feel like you're letting someone down, and you should be able to do it all. You will compromise and compromise and still you will feel like you've come up short.

On the other hand, perhaps you're one of those people who get into nursing school, and it comes easy, and very little ends up changing at all.