Time management; class, family, exercise...etc

barcode120x, RN, NP · Mar 6, 2014

If you work on top of exercise and intend to work during nursing school, imo you're gonna need slice some things up and if anything, it would be exercise. But, don't toss it away! You definitely need your activities that relax you, keep your mind at ease, and above all else, keep your mind off nursing when you need it to be off school.

Honestly, I'm not one of the hardest working students in my class. I could seriously be picking up speed and keeping up with my A-classmates, but I like to take my time during school and I still do what I like to do outside of school. My first semester, I was in hardcore mode, I probably studied/read 20-30 hours a week while working 2 graveyard shifts at work. 2nd semester for me varied, went from studying 10-20 hours a week up to 30-40 hours a week (try doing pediatrics in 5 weeks with holidays...god damn). This 3rd semester, I have a LOT of free time so I'm probably studying less than 10 hours a week. It just boils down to yourself.

Tips? Start off with a strong mindset that is mostly focused on school. Lower the amount of hours at your work (if you can), lessen the amount of exercise as much as you can, and also lessen the amount of free time and go from there. You want to start of your first couple weeks strong. After you get used to the pace of nursing, then you should be able to allot your time to your friends, family, exercise, work, etc.

Don't forget, you're doing an accelerated program as well, so it will be crunch time every week.

akulahawkRN, ADN, RN, EMT-P · Mar 6, 2014

A normal program is tough enough. Being that your program is an accelerated one, you'll have to dial back on your exercise amounts, but also don't forget to dial back your caloric intake. You won't be burning calories at the same daily/weekly rate that you're used to. Since it's important to have family time with your kid, schedule it at a natural study break. Since you won't be exercising as much, but still doing it, I would suggest finding a way to either record your lectures and play them back at a slightly higher speed during your exercise. Another way to study is to dictate to yourself any notes or slides or whatever to yourself and play that stuff back during exercise. Use that time to work on recall of those things that seem to be toughest. Use that time to mentally reheorifice your psychomotor skills. For every IV I've ever put in, I've probably done 10x more than that doing mental rehearsal.

Since it doesn't sound like you're having to work on top of going to school, at least you won't have that additional stressor placed on you. That's really a good thing! The hardest part of Nursing school is the beginning when you have no real clear idea what you're getting into and suddenly you have to go to a full-on academic sprint and have to adapt to the whole new game where you're learning the rules as you go along!

norlns24 · Mar 8, 2014

There is some great advice so far. I would only add that talking to students in your program who are a semester ahead of you can be invaluable. They can tell you which books for which classes are must-reads versus which ones you don't have to read to still do well on tests. No instructor is ever going to tell a class assigned reading is optional, but in reality, some classes, the readings are MUST reads versus others where good note-taking and power points can get you through.

I know it may sound like cutting corners, but honestly, knowing which tests/ classes/ teachers/ assignments are front burner and which ones are not can be invaluable in prioritizing your time. Strategy is key. Also, scour the syllabuses to help you prioritize by looking for clues as to how to proceed. Does a class offer retakes on certain exams? Does one instructor seem to have a lot of extra credit? Does one class have online quizzes that are a good chunk of the grade? These can clue you in as to how you should allot your time.

I'm amazed at how much time some of the students in my program spend in the skills lab practicing fairly basic skills that are tested on a pass/fail basis. Also, we were allowed 3 retakes -- very generous. These same students then did not have time to do the assigned readings for the toughest class that semester and complained of doing poorly on the tests. I'm in no way saying check-off skills aren't important....certain students, in my opinion, were just way over-rehearsing and getting freaked out about return testing that had a lot of lee-way and slack built into it. I made sure I had the skill down enough to pass without wasting hours in lab practicing over and over so I had enough time to devote to my other classes.

Prioritize and be strategic by asking students ahead of you tons of questions about what to expect and watch out for. I've found they are always willing to share, and I've done the same for students in the track behind me. Good luck!

Charlie Don't Surf · Mar 8, 2014

Glad you asked this...since it kind of saved me from doing it- I'm in a similar position and already had to drop almost all of my AM running routine (and I'm paying heavily for it with the poor diet and increased cortisol associated with the program) My wife has threatened to make me crash in our RV during summer session due to my intensity toward my studies LOL.

Anyone else have a very low male representation in their program, and/or get singled out during skills because of gender?

Myoclonicjerk · Mar 8, 2014

That is some great advice so far. Once I get in the program I'm sure that I'll naturally adapt to a schedule. Just a little anxious about decreased daughter time and decreased fitness. It's only 15 months is going to be my mantra... It's only 14 months.... It's only 13 months...etc. It'll pay off in spades in the end. Thanks for the tips so far.

spinny87 · Mar 10, 2014

My priorities before nursing was work hitting the gym running and playing with my pug. During nursing school my priorities are nursing nursing nursing and nursing. My dog and I have put on some weight. : (

Myoclonicjerk · Mar 11, 2014

Spinny, that is great! While I may be very naïve, I'm hoping I kind find 1/2 hour per day, or at least a few days per week, to get in a run or a ride. I'm sure your pug will be happy when you are done.

ThatBigGuy · Mar 15, 2014

I'm a married former college athlete. Exercise has been an official part of my life for 20 years. I've been married for 2 years. When I started nursing school, I thought I could exercise, get good grades, and be a fantastic husband all at the same time. However, I simply couldn't perform all three at the levels I wanted. I tried working out in the mornings, the studying all day. But as school got harder, by studies got longer, and my wife time shrunk. A 30 minute run is actually closer to an hour after warm ups, cool downs, changes of clothes, showers, and mixing beverages. Cycling is even longer when you gotta do basic bike maintenance, find your helmet, clean water bottles, deal with flats, and recover after a hills interval.

When I realized that my exercise was eating into my wife time, it was easy to cut it. I've gained weight and I physically felt awful for a couple months. But for me, and everyone is different, sacrificing working out was easy when it was replaced by wife time.

Besides, nursing school is finite. In 6 months I'll be working only 3 days a week and have plenty of time to get back into the working out lifestyle.

Myoclonicjerk · Mar 16, 2014

Wow, that is disheartening. Like you, I'm a former D1 athlete. Currently a competitive duathlete(run/bike/run) that on a typical week will train 10-12 hours. However, I know that is going to suffer, especially time on the bike since the 3 and 4 hour longer rides are going to be impossible to work in. I was hoping to at least have time to run 30 mins a day during the week. Some of the people in the class ahead of me work on weekends or part time throughout the week. If those guys can work, I was hoping I'd have time to squeeze in a workout. I'm sure that will be the first thing to go though as wife/daughter time is extremely important to me. I'll invest in some loose fitting sweats to accommodate my anticipated weight gain! Thanks and good luck...

RayBIV · Mar 17, 2014

Personally, I make a daily, weekly and monthly schedule. I tell everyone if you want me to participate in an event telk me at least a week in advance so I can schedule it. As far as working out, i do a minimum of 1hr. We are going to be nurses, we have to be exemplary. Just figure out wha time of day works best for you. Its going to take you a couple of weeks to get a routine, but you will find it. I make goals per 8 week session I embark on, and I achieve them; you can to. Goodluck and dont be afraid to ask for help.

RunBabyRN · Mar 20, 2014

Scheduling your time is VITAL. I have a 5 year old as well, and am a triathlete, so I can relate to a lot of what you said. This semester, my final semester, has finally taken down my running (preceptorship is a true time suck!). I miss my 4 hour trail runs!! I do manage to get in about 3 hours a week, at least, which for me, isn't much, but it's something. If there were bike cages available, I'd ride to school and to clinicals, but I only have the one bike, and it's not one I'd just chain up to a rack somewhere.

Forewarning the family is good. I know my husband has had a hard time with how much I'm gone, but we've survived thus far. Make your time together count. I study away from home, and try to be totally present when I AM home. It makes it more clear what I'm doing, if that makes any sense.

My son LOVES to hear about what I'm learning, and to use my stethoscope and such. Involve your little one in your studies!

Good luck, and congratulations!