Nursing school or social life... Can't I have both?

NewSN13 · Jul 15, 2011

I did the traditional college thing my first time around. While I wasn't a nursing student then, I had sorority sisters that were nursing students. Of girls in my pledge class or a class ahead of or behind me, there are also 3 MDs, a DPT, 2 PAs and a handful of lawyers.

Time management is a critical skill to master early, no matter what the major. With sorority life, you'll know what your obligations are and will just need to plan accordingly. For example, we had chapter every Monday night so if there was a test or paper due on Tuesday, I'd usually get most of my work/studying done before Monday night because I knew I wouldn't have time on Monday.

If sorority life is what you want, I say go for it! I thought it was a great experience.

michellejl · Jul 16, 2011

Since you're in a 4 year program, your experience for the first two years will likely be like that of any other college student since you'll mostly be knocking out pre-reqs which are basically normal classes. Once you get into your last 2 years (actual "nursing school") then you'll be way more packed. Keep in mind that although you may only be taking 15-18 hours, you will have to devote much more time out of class (the expected amount is 3 hours outside of class for every hour in class) to your courses, which is where the "no social life" aspect comes in. It all depends on how well you absorb what is taught in class, how long it takes you to learn material, etc. Plus, clinicals take up a lot of your time, which isn't always calculated in your semester hours. This is all what I have read from this site, not personal experience but hopefully it can help you. I'm a sophomore in college and will be transferring to another school for my BSN and my college experience has been great so far, I've had a lot of time for a social life. I'm sure you'll be able to balance it especially the first 2 years. I hope everything works out well for you!

JROregon, ASN, BSN, RN · Jul 16, 2011

I will reiterate "time management". I am in an ADN program and about 1/3 of the students work at least half-time. Somehow they manage to work, go out on weekends and get decent grades. Get your reading done as soon as it is assigned, don't waste too much time of facebook and allnurses : ). Prioritize what it is that you do want to do. Say no when you really do need to study or finish a paper (start that paper as soon as it is assigned and ask your questions early on). I have a family and while there are crunch times every week, I still manage to go to basketball games, track meets, church events, and dinners out with the hubby.

If you find yourself overwhelmed with extracurricular activities, start cutting back before the bad grades start popping up.

my3mracles · Jul 17, 2011

I will reiterate "time management". I am in an ADN program and about 1/3 of the students work at least half-time. Somehow they manage to work, go out on weekends and get decent grades. Get your reading done as soon as it is assigned, don't waste too much time of facebook and allnurses : ). Prioritize what it is that you do want to do. Say no when you really do need to study or finish a paper (start that paper as soon as it is assigned and ask your questions early on). I have a family and while there are crunch times every week, I still manage to go to basketball games, track meets, church events, and dinners out with the hubby.
If you find yourself overwhelmed with extracurricular activities, start cutting back before the bad grades start popping up.

Thank you for your post! That has put my mind at ease. I also have a family and a full-time job, and even though I know it won't be easy, it helps to know that it can be done. I'm fortunate in my job, at least, that I work from home (doing medical transcription) and have flexibility with my schedule.

I'm not too concerned about having a social life (since I don't have one now either. ) but being able to keep working and spend a little time with my family is important.

DolceVita, ADN, BSN, RN · Jul 17, 2011

Agreed -- time management.

There is no reason you can't have a social life but you may need to redefine what a social life is to you. What I observed in others was that they overestimated their ability to do everything they wanted. Unfortunately, it can be hard to catch up in nursing school.

Also, to take the pressure off I did summer school. It was a bit of a bummer but it always gave me a better semester afterwards.

Go for it.

pitaya · Jul 17, 2011

i'm a senior in high school, and next year i'll start a traditional 4 year BSN program. i've done tons of research on schools im interested in, and their curriculum has the same amount of hours as any other major. Basically, I'll have the same amount of time as any other full-time student. Admittedly, some semesters have more hours than normal, but only one or two are ever added on.
Here's what I don't understand: I'll have a schedule that's only slightly busier than everyone else's, but people keep telling me that i won't have time to do ANTHING. No sororities, no clubs,no extracurriculars, no time to really get involved at a school at all.
Is this true?! I won't even have enough time to join a sorority?
I understand I'll be busy, every full-time student should be, but I also want a normal college life...

I got a bachelor's degree in a field other than nursing and was pretty involved with activities. Now I'm getting a second degree in nursing and all I have time for is nursing school. I honestly don't see how people do things other than nursing school in nursing school. I go out on weekends sometimes, but I couldn't commit to any clubs or working this time around. Perhaps you can do it...I just know that I couldn't.

But like someone else said, your first 2 years of pre-nursing in college should be just like anyone else's first 2 years of college.

Brighten · Jul 17, 2011

seriously?

DarkBluePhoenix · Jul 17, 2011

i'm a senior in high school, and next year i'll start a traditional 4 year bsn program. i've done tons of research on schools im interested in, and their curriculum has the same amount of hours as any other major. basically, i'll have the same amount of time as any other full-time student. admittedly, some semesters have more hours than normal, but only one or two are ever added on.
here's what i don't understand: i'll have a schedule that's only slightly busier than everyone else's,
uh no.....but people keep telling me that i won't have time to do anthing. no sororities, no clubs,no extracurriculars, no time to really get involved at a school at all.
is this true?! i won't even have enough time to join a sorority?
i understand i'll be busy, every full-time student should be, but i also want a normal college life...

first of all you need to apply to the program and get in

generally there are a list of pre reqs that you will need to do, ace them and then apply when your done.

while you do pre reqs you can get all your partying out of the way but please don't sacrifice grades for it! once you get your bsn and your license then you can party up all want.

now i believe your comparing like english majors to nursing majors. just because they are both 186 units or whatever doesnt mean that you will have the "same" study time as an english major or whatever.

your not in college yet so you will have to understand how college works.

the nursing major is just more than lecture classes. the reason you have "no life" while being a nursing major is that you will not only have class a few times a week but labs, clinicals etc.. plus hw on top of it. i mean you go to a class then you go to the hospital to get your patients info and spend all night writing like a 30 page careplan. i mean i am not there yet but i have an idea of what to expect. just use search and type in 'typical student nurse week schedule' or w/e.

tech1000 · Jul 20, 2011

With a BSN, like somebody said, you'll have the first 2 years to do easier classes... Before nursing school, I had a VERY active social life (and partied waaaayyyyyy too much- as in 5-6 nights a week). Once I got into nursing school, I think I drank less than 10 times in 2 years... I literally had no social life... I know people who did, but they weren't working much. I was always studying or working.