What is the schedule like in nursing school?

NatsFan15 · Jul 11, 2009

I think the schedule varies by school. In our program we have the summer off - though many use that as an opportunity to get in the extra class or two that they need or to work externship. Good luck with your application. You should be able to find out through the University what their particular schedule is like.

Blondie24 · Jul 12, 2009

My school goes year-round. As for the day-to day schedule...one word= hectic. Study hard and good luck!

8jimi8ICURN · Jul 12, 2009

i wish my school had been more accelerated.

First semester we had 2 lecture /lab per week and 2 clinicals / week.

2nd semester 1 lecture and a lab until we finished our IV check offs, then 2 clinicals / week.

3rd semester 1 lecture /week and 2 clinicals /week.

4th semester 1-2 lectures / week and 2 clinicals / week.

I spent most of my days off wishing school was happening, so i could hurry up and finish.

NeoNurseTX, RN · Jul 13, 2009

I went there...it depends on the semester but it's pretty much M-Th all day long. One semester it was 5 days a week.

sh1901 · Jul 13, 2009

I think that it probably depends on the school. I have summers off, and know myself well enough to know that I need that "recharge" time. I work full-time, have a family and go to school, so the down time has been fantastic!!

Ms. Nurse Assistant, LPN · Jul 15, 2009

i wish my school had been more accelerated.
First semester we had 2 lecture /lab per week and 2 clinicals / week.
2nd semester 1 lecture and a lab until we finished our IV check offs, then 2 clinicals / week.
3rd semester 1 lecture /week and 2 clinicals /week.
4th semester 1-2 lectures / week and 2 clinicals / week.
I spent most of my days off wishing school was happening, so i could hurry up and finish.

Was this a BSN program?

MammaNurse2Be · Jul 15, 2009

I wonder why the differences in academic load? I know there is a difference with 2 vs 4 year degrees but it seems with some ADNs that they too have some programs with brutal schedules and others like the above where it seems like it would be so easy. By the time I enter, I will only have nursing classes to finish. I will have completed all my GE requirements. Is this the difference?

shrimpchips, LPN · Jul 16, 2009

It varies by school. I'm in a BSN program and we have our summers off unless of course we choose to take classes (like I did this summer - I took my geriatrics rotation with 4 hours lecture/week, 2 hours LRC/week and 12 1/2 hours clinical/week for 7 1/2 weeks total). If you're in the accelerated program, they usually go through summer.

Here is a breakdown of my schedule for fall semester:

OB lecture 0955-1155 MW

OB clinical 0700-1900 T

OB LRC 0800-1000 F

World Civilization: China 1310-1400 MW (LOL...it's an area studies requirement at my school, which is part of the gen ed requirements)

Mental Health lecture 0955-1155 MW

Mental Health clinical 0730-1930 Th

During my first year of nursing school, we had 2 clinical rotations - our first one was in a nursing home/assisted living facility and the other was a med-surg rotation in a hospital. both were a full semester in length. For our second and third year in my program, our clinicals are 7 1/2 weeks long, so we end up taking 4 clinicals junior year (OB, mental health, geriatrics (which I just completed a few weeks ago, so I'm ahead) and adults) and 4 clinicals senior year (community health, pediatrics, critical care & senior practicum/leadership)

amandapmct · Jul 16, 2009

I think that it probably depends on the school. I have summers off, and know myself well enough to know that I need that "recharge" time. I work full-time, have a family and go to school, so the down time has been fantastic!!

I am glad to hear this because I also work (not quite full-time) and have a family and I'm starting nursing school in September; I keep hearing it's barely possible with all those obligations and yet I don't have much choice. I'm also pretty determined and feel in my gut that I'll be okay - but it's good to hear you say you're doing it.

I also have summer off (next summer) and I'm sure I'll use it to recharge as well.

Good luck to you!

krltdy · Jul 16, 2009

Monday: Lecture 8-4

Tues.: Clincial 7-3

Wed.: Lecture 8-4

Thurs: Lab 8-4

Fri.: Lecture 8-4

We will get a 1 hour lunch on lecture days.