What do you think ?

[MurseGabe2B]

My school requires a questionnaire in order to apply to the Nursing Program and here is my rough draft to one of the questions.

How will you manage your academic and personal life in order to succed in the program?

I acknowledge that the Nurse Education Program is physically, emotionally, and mentally demanding; therefore, if accepted I plan on commiting my utmost attention to the rigorous program. Upon acceptance, my goal is to be equally dedicated, prepared, and successful throughout the entire learning process. I will enter the program as a blank slate, a tabula rasa; ready to learn, observe, and listen as much as possible. Time after time, I hear that success in the Nursing Program is contingent on time management and organization; luckily those two valuable skills are second to none in my daily routine. I do not anticipate working while in the program. I've heard way too many horror stories of students failing the program due to excess work. The fact that I have completed most pre-requisites will allow me to focus and divert all my attention to the primary nursing courses. I've come to the realization that my social life will be non-existent, so I will break up with my girlfriend and sell all my precious electronics. All jokes aside, I understand that sacrafices will have to be made in order to optimize my chances to be succesful in the program. If it means studying forty hours a week or not going to my sisters wedding, I will do whatever it takes, legally, to succeed.

Any advice???

Critically, punctuation, grammar, etc. . .

[RunBabyRN]

The first half is good (I'd put a comma after "accepted" in the first sentence). I would delete it from "I've heard way too many horror stories..." on. Don't get too "jokey". Start that part of it over.

You may also be studying for more than 40 hours a week, just FYI. :) So don't put that! LOL

People do maintain relationships during nursing school. I only know of one so far that's fallen apart during the program, and it has nothing to do with school. I wouldn't get into that.

What HAVE you done to manage your social life in the upcoming years of nursing school? Have you talked to your friends about being less available? Have you decided how much time you want to plan to spend with them? It's not about all or nothing- you don't want to completely eliminate all semblance of a social life, because you will go nuts. But balancing school and life is really important, and they want to see how you plan to manage that.

You don't have to completely sacrifice all of the important things- sometimes your professors will understand your sister's wedding or something like that. But I DID miss my SIL's wedding, since it was in Hawaii. I did, however, get to attend my brother's graduation from the highway patrol academy because we ended up not having clinicals that day. I'd expected to miss it, since we normally would have had clinicals. I've also managed to run several half marathons during school. But that's how I manage my stress. :) It would be good to include something about stress management and what works for you and how that will benefit your balance.

[MurseGabe2B]

Thank you

I was debating on whether or not to make a couple jokes. I know I need something to seperate my response from other candidates. But you're definitely right it seems to "jokey" and that is why I put it on AN to get other people's input! : 0

[NurseGirl525, ASN, RN]

It's sacrifice, not sacrafice. That's the only thing I saw. Also, I don't think you have to tell them you are going to devote your whole life to the program. It's all about balance. As long as you have good time management, you can have a social life. Someone who has no social life at all will get burned out very quickly. I would talk about having a healthy balance. You don't want them thinking you will burn out easily.

[MissCris]

I agree, it seems a little bit TOO jokey. I would say "

I do not anticipate working while in the program, this way I can give my coursework the level of attention I believe is necessary to be successful." I'd keep the part about being prepared to study for long hours, but leave out the part about your girlfriend. It's ok to mention that you are willing to make sacrifices (not sacrafices

) in your personal life if need be, but don't get too detailed.

[MurseGabe2B]

Thank you guys. "Sacrifice," I knew it looked wrong haha !!! But I totally agree I need to talk more about how I am going to balance and manage my time and write less about my personal life ! You guys are awesome : 0