Time commitment for ADN program??

[FLhusker]

Can I get some input as far as actual time spent studying? I'm considering an ADN program for the fall, it is 4 days per week from 9 to 4 (some clinicals go 7 until 7). Can I expect to have most nights/weekends free for family time or am I kidding myself?

My kids are 6 and 8 and I don't want to miss out on soccer games, sleepovers and just family time in general. I've read some posts about students having to put their lives on hold for school. I think I'm willing to do it and commit the time as if it were a full time job, but if I have to study every night and weekend then school might just have to wait a few years until my kids don't need me quite so much.

[JBMmom, MSN, NP]

Unfortunately I don't think anyone else can answer that for you. I just finished my first year of an ADN program, and I really didn't put my life on hold. I work full time, I've got three kids and I still had time to teach Sunday school, go to their sports and spectate, and spend quality time with them. Certainly not as much as before school, but we all survived. I did ALL of the first semester's reading that was available over the summer, so during the semester it was more like reviewing. I don't spend as much time studying as many of the students in my program based on what I hear them saying in class, but I've got my studying habits down to a pretty efficient process, for me. There is a large volume of reading, so a lot of it will depend on how long it takes for you to digest what you're reading. You're going to get a wide variety of opinions on this topic- you can search past threads for similar topics- good luck with your decision.

[Lilbit, ADN]

I'd be curious what people say about how much study time they spent outside of class for each hour in class. When I took A&P and Micro, I found I did very little studying outside of class because we spent so many hours IN class between labs and lectures. I only read my textbooks if I needed to review something. I'm hoping that it'll be the same in NS. I'll probably do what JBMommy said and get books ahead of time and read over the summer. I don't start NS for another year so I have lots of time. I think if you had the time and the discipline to read ahead it could make things easier during the school year with more time spent with family.

[JROregon, ASN, BSN, RN]

I am almost done with my first year, 2 more weeks. You might want to find out how much out of class time you'll need to prepare for clinicals (I spend about 3-4 hours prepping and writing up care plans for each patient I pick weekly) and how much writing you'll be doing. I found that I can't sign my kids up for everything and show up for all their events. Just not possible. I am also an efficient studier and make the most of my time by listening very carefully in class. It took me a few months to understand what I would need to know for taking the tests. Some students still don't know how to study and it wouldn't matter how much free time they have. Flexibility is the key to getting through.

[Samantha79]

NS is a commitment. You will have to give up some things. You don't have to give up ALL things. There may be times where you just don't have the time to go to a game. If you're not okay with that then you probably should postpone NS. I wasn't able to sign my kids up for sports or dance because I knew I wouldn't be able to devote the time to it I needed to. Also, knowing that my time would be limited, the time I did have to spend with them I wanted to be with them, rather than watching them. I hope that makes sense.

[~Mi Vida Loca~RN, ASN, RN]

It's all individual. I hardly put a lot of time into studying and I didn't give up anything. I have 4 children and I only missed things if I had class or clinicals during the time of the event. Nursing school to me was not the beast everyone made it out to be. We had 1 week each semester I considered hell week.

[~Mi Vida Loca~RN, ASN, RN]

Eta: they don't need you less as they get older. My teen is the most time consuming with all the various activities he has going on.

[Mom/Nurse2b]

It's all individual. I hardly put a lot of time into studying and I didn't give up anything. I have 4 children and I only missed things if I had class or clinicals during the time of the event. Nursing school to me was not the beast everyone made it out to be. We had 1 week each semester I considered hell week.

I SO hope this is the case for me too! I have 5 children, all school-aged, that are in various activities. I am a good student and have lots of time during their school days and activities to study. I am most worried about missing their games and school functions. I don't have to go to ALL of them, but MOST would be nice. Thanks for the words of encouragement. I really needed that!

[mangopeach]

I'm in an ADN program and it never seems like I have enough time! My life revolves arounds school. Personally, I don't mind. I don't have young children and I'm single. Its a week into the 2nd semester and already have the first exam, checkofff, math exam that I need to get 100% on or fail out and clinicals starting in a few days.

As others have said, depends on you, depends on the program. I do what I need to do to do well. For me that means having school as my #1 focus with barely any time for anything else. That might not be the case for others. Personally can't imagine doing this when my son was younger, but others do it and manage just fine. No rights or wrongs, just what works for you.