1st year Nursing STUDENT

thyme39 · Jul 27, 2007

"My mom, who is a nurse, says I should focus primarily on nursing because she says it's tough and full of memorizing. She says I should try electives that aren't so time-consuming, which I agree. But since photography is fun for me, is it a bad idea to take it? I do need an elective, but would 6 hours of photography class a week (plus the amount of time it takes to take pictures out of class) be a burden for a nursing student?"

First, congrats on getting in. I can give you my feelings so take them for what it is worth. I have classes 2 days a week and clinicals 3 days a week. Each clinical day is 10 hrs. I'm beat by the time I finish the clinical day. But I still have studying to do, papers, care maps, etc. Even without the classes, I would have plenty to do. The papers, care maps are for clinicals. If I had more time at the end of the day, i would like to look up the meds I've given and have a better idea of what they are used for, their adverse affects, etc. I would also like to go over procedures so I feel more confident the next time. And many times, I am just really tired so want to kick back and do nothing. If it was me I would take the elective in something that doesn't require as much time because you can't drop it if it becomes too much since you need it to graduate. There are a lot of things to learn and remember in nursing - just as your mom says. Could you take the photography class later after you are done with clinicals maybe? Or another idea would be to take an adult education class for photograpy. It is usally 1 day a week and you can develop your film and still take pictures but if you don't get the chance to spend a lot of time on it, it won't affect your grade. In the end, the hard part is that no one can tell you what you need to do. Only you know what you can do. I hope this helps. Good luck.

Soup Turtle · Jul 27, 2007

I also thought about taking photography as an elective, but decided against it. I did buy myself a good camera and some lights to play around with, though. You can learn a lot of that sort of stuff on the internet. I was also kind of sad about the fact that everything is black and white in Photography I. Here is a picture of my cat, Poe Go....sorry!....I can't resist!!!

http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k163/bollywoodturtle/alcatrez.jpg

And my cat Chiny...

http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k163/bollywoodturtle/Grey_by_landwish.jpg

I ended up taking sociology. It turned out to be a great class full of useful information and I hope to take more sociology classes in the future!

Princess74 · Jul 27, 2007

If I were you I would not take anythng extra. As it is you wont have much time to sleep. Trust me.

Actually I love photography also. I would love to take a class in it. Not while I'm in the nursing program though. No way!

jessi1106, BSN, RN · Jul 27, 2007

Hi, I am done with school now....but I felt like nursing classes were definately FULL time...even if only 10 credits.

However, I also stronly feel that you need an "outlet" (even if for a couple hours per week) that is enjoyable and NOT related to nursing/classes & clinicals....

Some other condsiderations: What else will occupy your time? Do you have to work? any other obligations (kids, dh etc)?

You could always drop the class for a refund (early in semester) if needed right?

My best advice is to think creatively to find at least some time to take care of your needs for interests outside of school ~ maybe it's this class or maybe something else..

Best of luck to you....I just received my lisence and am loving it!

cloud 9 · Jul 27, 2007

Hi Everyone! I am so excited because I just got accepted to a nursing program, and I start in 4 weeks!! I've been waiting for quite a while now, so this is really cool. What's even cooler is that I won't be a full-time student since I've already finished my GEs, so basically I only have my nursing classes to take and clinicals.
I was wondering, do you all think it would be a good idea to take an elective for fun? I kind of want to take photography and sociology since my nursing classes only take up 9 units and I need 12 units to be full-time (for insurance purposes).
My mom, who is a nurse, says I should focus primarily on nursing because she says it's tough and full of memorizing. She says I should try electives that aren't so time-consuming, which I agree. But since photography is fun for me, is it a bad idea to take it? I do need an elective, but would 6 hours of photography class a week (plus the amount of time it takes to take pictures out of class) be a burden for a nursing student?
Any advice will really help me out since I have to register soon.
(Sorry btw if this was the wrong thread to post this question. I wasn't sure where nursing students fit here. Thanks)

Hello! I think you shouldn't take a photography class because you would dedicate yourself to another reason to be at school, possible more homework, and it might take time away from studying. If that is something you like to do, then do it on down time from studying. just don't obligate yourself anymore that you have to. Best of luck to ya

smile123 · Jul 27, 2007

Believe me, nursing school classes will absorb your time! You will not have time for electives like photography. Pharmacology and Patho alone will have your head spinning. You will feel as though you can not absorb the material fast enough, so give yourself a break and focus on your nursing classes rather than take some additional electives. You want to maintain a high GPA so you can shine your job interviews later. If anything, I would set aside some time for exercise and de-stressing (meditation) in your life. Welcome to the world of student nursing and the nursing career!

grantz · Jul 28, 2007

Believe me, nursing school classes will absorb your time! You will not have time for electives like photography. Pharmacology and Patho alone will have your head spinning. You will feel as though you can not absorb the material fast enough, so give yourself a break and focus on your nursing classes rather than take some additional electives. You want to maintain a high GPA so you can shine your job interviews later. If anything, I would set aside some time for exercise and de-stressing (meditation) in your life. Welcome to the world of student nursing and the nursing career!

yes thats right...i you take nursing we will be lack of sleep...we will be always out of time.take about 2 hours of sleep, eat in just 5 minutes, 3 hours o studying and the remaining time is in your duty and classes.thats how torture is nursing student in the philippines.... :uhoh3:

mcStudent · Jul 29, 2007

Thank you everybody. I think I knew all along that I shouldn't take photography. 'Twas wishful thinking, I suppose. I really appreciate the input because I think I really just needed to hear all those things from someone else.

I think I might buy a camera to use it as a creative outlet, but definitely not sign-up for the class and obligate myself.

I just started a job too, and I think I might have to reconsider that.

Thanks!!

ZooMommyRN, ADN, RN · Jul 30, 2007

If you are planning to on to higher degrees, look into the GE's for those, so you can get them out of the way, I've been doing that so now for my master's program I only have chemistry and human growth & devlopment, and since I have to work as alicensed RN for 2 years b4 applying I have plenty of time for those 2, also better than paying out of pocket since financial aid is easier for me to obtain for my ADN and the MSN will be all loans *ack*

Grumpygs, MSN, RN · Jul 30, 2007

What about a PE class? Something that you can use to 'de-stress' before, during or after clinicals? Just a thought. They offer a Stretch and Relaxation class at my school that I plan on taking along with my nursing classes... :smilecoffeecup:

coolpeach · Aug 1, 2007

I took yoga one semester and it was soooo great.