nursing school advice from any nurses out there?

W

winsomehill

Cathlete
I am planning on entering Nursing School in the fall, and was hoping for some advice from any of you that might be nurses. I'm debating over working part time while in school or not. Is it realistic to do both? I have three kids to add to my time constraints. Any other advice that pops in your head. I would just love to hear any words of wisdom.
Heather
 
Nursing school is tough.I am going to be honest and say it was the most stressful time of my life. I dont have any kids and I tried to work 24 hours..(2, 12 hour night shifts a wk) and it was tough. If you are going to work I would suggest working just weekends. It was hard doing the overnight since most of our clinicals were first thing in the am. I never got any sleep it seems like. I made it though! and you will too. See how it goes. Just remember its a short time and you will get through it. Only do what you think you can do. But, Make sure school comes first. Nursing is very rewarding career. I have my days where a i question it but, For the most part I love it.
 
I had three kids while in nursing school also. My youngest was 6 mos. old when I returned to school.

I don't think there was any way possible I could have worked, maintained children and a home, etc. If you can, try not to work. Like Fitnurse said, "nursing school is tough".
 
If you don't need to work don't. I graduated from nursing school when I was 21, no kids and no part time job to deal with, yet it wasn't easy and I had problems fitting everything in. You didn't mention whether you were enrolling full time or not, but if you are going full time I would just use your free time studying and spending it with your family.
 
I am an R.N....graduated in 1986. I was just out of high school, no children and worked 21 hours a week all through college. I agree it was very stressful and was so burned out by the time I graduated..I took only 12 credit hours each semester and went year round...good luck..try to just go to school and take care of your family if that is doable..you will be so much more focused...
 
Thanks, everyone, for the advice. I love this forum, it's so wonderful to be able to get feedback on almost anything! To follow up on a few things that were mentioned, I have taken almost all of my general classes for the associates, so it will just be the nursing courses I need. The first two semesters are 8 credit hours, the second year will be more challenging at 12 credit hours. At least that second year I will know what to expect. Any extra courses I plan on taking in the summer. Although, I know it will be stressful the stress of not having any money can be overwhelming too. I don't know, maybe just two 8 hour days a week or something. I am sooooo excited about beginning this.
Heather
 
Keep up the positive attitude! It will definitely come in handy. You will make a lot of new friends in nursing school. You'll all be in the same boat for 2 years, so you have that to look forward to as well. Try not to take it TOO seriously though.

There is a lot to learn in a very short period. I learned so much more during my internship than during school because school is so crammed with information that it's hard to get a handle on the big picture until you put it into practice. Maybe you can get a paid internship after your first year. That might be a good solution for you.

However, I agree with the other nurses. I had my first child while in nursing school. It was challenging, but still better with an infant than it would have been with toddlers or young children. It is a full plate and the more time you can put toward school the better off you will be. Life happens - it seems more so when you're in nursing school. Be prepared but don't put too much emphasis on grades either. I know it's really hard not to, especially when everyone is SOOO competitive, but you don't have to be perfect - B's are OK. When you are an RN, nobody asks you what kind of grades you got in nursing school. So, relax and enjoy the chaos!! :)

Hope this helps and Good Luck:) ;-)

Angie
 
I have a degree in International Studies, an MBA in finance, was the first woman in International operations at a major corporation....I had a six figure salary in the 1980's, an alpha romeo, a condo outside of Manhatten....and wanted to put my head in the oven...something about gaining the world and losing your soul....midlfe crisis at 28, sold the car,the condo, and went into medicine - took a 2 year leave from work to see if I was just being idealistic....and I've never looked back. There is exploitation and bull-s--t in every job...but there is NEVER a day in nursing where you question that your life counts...it can be sad, but not depressing - there is a difference you know...whether its sharing the miracle of an unexpected recovery, or watching a family at their best as you ease a suffering soul into death, it is a profession like no other....to NOT be a nurse would be to not breathe for me...
I didn't have kids when I went to nsg school, but I did work full time...and every person who had to juggle a schedule like yours made it through....so Godspeed to you, and welcome aboard!
 
Hi, Heather -- and congrats on starting nursing school this fall! I'm getting ready to graduate from nursing school in May -- started in fall 2004 -- and I'm a mom with 2 daughters (now 11 and 15). I quit my job when I started school, and except for a summer internship, haven't worked since then -- and I have to say, I've often felt like I couldn't imagine adding one more thing to my responsibilities! I just wanted to second the opinion that nursing school really is tough -- wonderful, but hard! If there's any way you can manage it, I'd vote for not working during school.

Whatever you decide, best wishes as you prepare to start school! I have loved it, and feel so lucky to be doing what I'm doing!
Best wishes,
Allison
 
Ok, I am in nursing school and my time is precious and I just got on here and wrote like a three page reply to you and somehow I pushed the wrong button (too much stress) and it got deleted. So right now I am just too mad to reply again and I have to go do schoolwork so I'll reply later after I cool down, lol

TTYL!!;-)
 
Oh, but I do just have to say.....


ALLY WE ARE ALMOST THERE GIRL!!!! WOOT!!!! WOOT!!!! YEAH!!!!! I can see the light.....I have to squint and it is barely there but I do see it.....if I can...just....keep.....on.....studying........

I am praying that we make it out. May 2007 baby!!:) }( ;-) :p
 
I will share with you what my sister and mom did when they were still in school: study, study, study, study, study, and sleep. It is very competetive and you have to work very hard. Working part time is very realistic, but DS chose to work in the hospital to build a reputation for herself and to get to know some of the staff, to be in the environment and learn more and better. She did it with an infant and my mom did it with three kids. You can do it! You just have to be disciplined and work hard. :)

Missy
 
Janice --

Oh YEAH! It's crazy...I felt like I would never reach this point, and now that pinprick of light at the end of the tunnel is growing! We will make it! I'm now counting in months, instead of semesters...and before long, we'll be counting in WEEKS! Very exciting!

I hope things are going well with/for you!
A.
 
Hello there,
I am currently in the Nursing program at the University of Central Fl. Be ready for a very tough 2 years. It is possible to work, I work part time as a window cleaner and at a golf course. I do not have any kids but I am married, and he is kind of like a kid. So it is not impossible. If you don't have to work it will definitely make things a lot easier on you. Nursing school is very time consuming. It is a lot of reading and studying. My advise to you is... STAY ORGANIZED AND DON'T FALL BEHIND IN ANY OF YOUR WORK B/C THEN YOU WILL BE PLAYING CATCH UP THE REST OF THE SEMESTER. Please let me know if you have any other questions or if you just want to vent or chat about nursing school.
Nicole :D
 
I am also in nursing school. It will definitley be a lot easier on you if you do not work. It is a lot more involved and a lot more work than I ever would have expected. I was actually supposed to graduate this May, but I bombed my final and ended up failing. And let me tell you, I studied my butt off. I'm not trying to scare you. We had a terrible teacher who teaches by intimidation and I just cannot learn like that. I pray that you have a teacher that can really teach you and cares about her students. Anyway, good luck to you!!!

Barbara
 
I wouldn't work if you don't have too...it's tough. I've been to both nursing and law school, and nursing was just as tough as law. There is really a lot of reading and it's more of a psychological stressor too, especially when you get to clinicals. Best of luck to you!!
 
I've been an RN for 26 years but I still remember nursing school clearly! I worked about 32 hrs a week as a nurses aide and secretary while going to school. However I had no children. I consider that to be the equivalent to a full time job! If you have some help with taking care of your kids then a little part time work is definitely doable if you're dedicated and hard working. If you don't have any help in this area I really think you'd be better off not working, even if it causes a little financial stress. Just my 2 cents. Best of luck to you! Nursing is a truly wonderful and rewarding career. I can honestly say this even after 26 yrs!

ShellyC
 
I just wanted to add that I agree with a previous poster about internship programs. They are an excellent idea and you get much more valuable training in many ways than you do in nursing school. My hospital has one. I am the Charge RN in the ICU and we have had many new grads go through the intern program and then work here in the ICU and they are all doing very well!

ShellyC
 
Janice, you will make it out of nursing school ! You've had a tough 2 years but you are hanging in there. You are almost finished! Be sure to post and let us know when you are about to graduate.
Lisa
 
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