I am looking at getting into a traditional BSN program, 2 years long, have to have 60 credits of pre-req's, etc. So you are basically just taking nursing classes and doing clinicals from what I understand. If you are in a program similar, tell me what your typical week is like. How many clinicals, how long, class hours, and how many days a week?
I am trying to see if this will be doable for my family and how much I will be away. We homeschool our boys, so I will have to wait for my husband to be in a position to stay home more before I even think of getting into a program.
Yeah I am taking Nutrition and a psychology this semester online, its been working out well. I plan on taking 2-3 a semester also and as much online as possible. Of course chem, bio, and A&P will have to be in class. My husband is in the military and we only have a general idea of where we will be in 3 years, but I know we will be somewhere for 3 years so I plan on being ready! I am not sure how many schools offer the evening option, being away so much makes me nervous but my husband may be at a point where he will be home more.
Were any of you able to find out about your schools scheduling (not your individual schedule) when you were researching schools?
In my instance, the classes are pretty much always at the same times each year so I had an idea of what I wanted. Some schools have the schedule of nursing classes viewable on their website, of course it changes with semesters but it gives you an idea of what it's like. What schools are you interested in? If you have any in mind yet.
Yeah a general idea would be nice. We will probably be in Annapolis Maryland, or DC area. The only ones I could find from online searches were University of Maryland, and JHU. Obviously the latter being a bit out of my price range and not in a very good area, but I am trying to look at all my options. If anyone knows of some other good schools in the area let me know!
We live about an hour from DC, in Frederick County, Maryland. Frederick Community College has a very good reputation, but you must be a resident of Frederick County to get in, because admission is based on a point system, and you get points for being a Frederick County resident. Montgomery College (closer to DC in Montgomery County) also has a nursing program. I am not familiar with the Annapolis area, but maybe you could check in under "Region" and "Maryland" and ask around.
I'm in my 4th semester (total) of nursing school. (4 year program, so I'm halfway done).
Here's my schedule this semester:
M: Med Surg lecture 8:30-11:20am
American Literature (gen. requirement) 1:30-4p
T: Ballet (elective) 10-11:15a
Nsg Sim. Lab 1:15-2:15p
Pharmacology 2:30-5p
Then Tues nights we go to our clinical agency and get our patient assignment for the next day's clinical.
W: Clinical 7a-1p
Dance 3-7p (another elective)
Th: Clinical 7a-1p
F: Off.
Then I also work Thursday and Friday afternoons, and some weekends.
Next fall semester is an awful schedule.
First half of the semester we do maternity or pedi clinical then switch second half of the semester. So my week looks like:
Sept-Oct
M: Clinical 7-1 (maternity)
T: Clinical 7-1 (maternity)
Urban life (history req.) 4-6:30
W: Maternity lecture 8:30-11:20
Geriatric Care 11:30-12:20
Pathophys. 4-6:30
Th: off...
F: Pedi lecture 8:30-11:20
then from the end of Oct-Dec, clinicals switch to just Mondays, 7a-4p, for Pedi rotation. Not sure who's bright idea it was to not have classes Thursday, but have one Friday? Oh well.
my program is 2 1/2 years...i started in sept 2009, will finish dec. 2011..! i had to choose this route, due to family, working full-time etc..!! but its definitely doable...lot of studying of course, but that any program..!
Don't forget 30 - 90 minutes to prep for clinical experience. We had to go to care facility to get info for next clinical. It was night before or early morning before clinical.
So whats the farthest you guys would recommend living from school? Depending on where I go I may be looking at a 30-40 minute commute and with all the time you need to go back and forth I am wondering if thats just too far. Of course I probably wont have much of a choice....
I'm in my junior year of a BSN program. Here is what my schedule looks like:
Monday: Psych nursing lecture 8:30am-11am
Tuesday: Psych clinicals 7:30am-2pm
Wednesday: Psych clinicals 7:30am-2pm
Thursday: BioEthics lecture 10am-12:30pm
Friday: Psych lecture 8:30am-11am
Culture class 11:30am-2pm
We have a different rotation every 7 weeks, and I like it because you can focus on one nursing specialty at a time. I also work Thursdays or Fridays and every Saturday and Sunday as a nursing assistant on the 3pm-11pm shift. I don't have any kids-my schedule can still be busy-but I've been able to manage it okay (so far). Next semester I'll have the second half of my med-surg portion in Chronic nursing, and the last seven weeks are OB.
You guys have no idea how helpful it is seeing your schedules! (or maybe you do:) They all seem to be somewhat similar, is there ever a choice as far as different class times? Or is only one time offered for the class for the semester?
I dont know how some of you work and find time to study, but it is encouraging that it can be done, I have kids so I guess I should compare that to working! lol
I'm going to start doing a 25 minute commute next year--and I live in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan where we have fierce winters. I'll let you know how that goes
Next semester I'll have the second half of my med-surg portion in Chronic nursing, and the last seven weeks are OB.
Addy3
27 Posts
Mama2fiveboys-
Yeah I am taking Nutrition and a psychology this semester online, its been working out well. I plan on taking 2-3 a semester also and as much online as possible. Of course chem, bio, and A&P will have to be in class. My husband is in the military and we only have a general idea of where we will be in 3 years, but I know we will be somewhere for 3 years so I plan on being ready! I am not sure how many schools offer the evening option, being away so much makes me nervous but my husband may be at a point where he will be home more.
Were any of you able to find out about your schools scheduling (not your individual schedule) when you were researching schools?