need advice for balance for new student...

ChuckeRN, BSN, RN · Jul 25, 2011

If your school has not already told you,they will probably tell you now that it is inadvisable to work full-time while in nursing school.

I have 3 kids - 6G, 6G, 4B. I did not work while in school while my wife did to help support us. My girls have special needs so I had some help in the form of State sponsored respite care, but I still had to pay for daycare for my son. In spite of all of that, every semester was a struggle to figure out the logistics of how, where, when and how much regarding child care. I still don't know how we were able to pull it off, but somehow, we did, and I graduated.

I attribute a great support system at our church and everyone who gave us advise and an ear to talk to.

You really need to figure out your own support system and just how much you can count on them. For example, my in-laws were near by, but I just could not rely on them for anything. I remember one day, I had to call my FIL to pick up one of my girls from pre-school due to a fever. I specifically told him to take her temperature and to give her some ibuprofen if it was high. When I got home, my daughter was lying on the couch moaning from the high fever and my FIL had neither taken her temp, nor given her any meds and said she was fine - her fever was 105F!!!

That was the last time I called them for anything.

Again, get your support system figured out now BEFORE you start getting stressed out. Do you belong to a church? They are a great source of support.

Good luck, you can do it.

oznut13 · Jul 25, 2011

Welcome to your nursing adventure!

As a current student ready to graduate in December and over the "hump" of my core classes and clinicals, I can tell you it is one wild ride. I moved home (no rent), quit my night job (more time to study, not sleep), and have no children. I cannot imagine doing this program (accelerated) with a family.

The hardest part for me, personally, was not being able to give it my best due to lack of time. Literally studying 10 hour days, on maybe 2 hours of sleep a night, at the hospital all the time trying to soak up experience and valuable tips from nurses, write my papers, and then read, read, and read. On top of that, studying for exams. It's crazy but so worth it. I have never had a feeling of such reward and accomplishment, even on bad days or even with non compliant patients, I know this is the place for me and that's what keeps me going. I know I am doing good work. My tips are similar to previous posts:

-eat right!!!!! preplanned meals are really the only way to go. I have found some healthy choices that are always in my car that can heat up in the microwave (brown rice, some soups, etc. and this way I am never tempted to eat the goodies that flood the unit or let my sugar get too low. always pack bars and stash them everywhere- backpack, car, scrub pocket. take care of yourself and you will be much happier.

-find something that is JUST YOURS (for example, I practice yoga everyday no matter how early or what I have to give up I give myself one hour of nothing but me time and it really pays off. When I can't make a class- I do it in my room, outside, anywhere that just me time with no distractions)

-keep your friends and family informed. You will most likely "fall off the face of the earth" because you will be so busy and you will hear from your friends, "we never see you, etc. etc.". One thing that was really helpful to me was I started sending out mass text message to my select family and friends that I would regularly see throughout the month, but while in nursing school just didn't have time. It would always say something about how I was thinking of them, that I value them and I miss seeing them; that I am extremely busy but enjoying it and learning so much. I would include that when I get free time I would lvoe to be caught up on events in their lives and also, I would often add that I was sorry I couldn't make certain get togethers but I appreciate the invites and thoughtfulness because it makes me feel loved. This way your family and friends just don't "assume" you can't make it and start leaving you out. You may start to feel left out becaus eyou will be missing alot of events. Then, I still received invites, but they always understood when I couldn't make it. This really saved me phone calls and time spent explaining my situation (again) to every friend and gave me the space I needed while still communicating to my friends that I haven't forgotten about them and things that may be happening in their lives (new babies, family get togethers, graduations, etc.)

-Lastly, don't be too hard on yourself. The important thing is that you are learning, not what grade you get on certain papers, etc. Surround yourself with other learners and you will do just fine.

Good luck!

Jacqui

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clh0301 · Jul 29, 2011

Thanks for all the wonderful and encouraging replies! I'm pretty excited to get theis adventure underway! Wishing all the best to the other students that posted here as well! Much love to you all!