Nursing students are very busy. Once you begin your studies, you may feel disorganized or often out of time. Students have families, jobs, and other obligations besides school. How does one manage it all? Although challenging, it is doable. This post will give you tips for time management during nursing school.
A few students are lucky enough to only go to school. But, most find the need to work while taking classes. However, one must plan carefully to ensure there is time for classes, studying, and working. One always needs some downtime, too. Planning becomes very important in all aspects of one’s life. Here are some tips
Study Tip 1: Be realistic
Be realistic about how much you can do at one time. Nursing courses can be flexible. Course meetings will be at least 4 days per week if taking on-campus or face-to-face classes. Online courses are popular. But, the amount of time spent on the work will be equal to the time spent in the face-to-face courses. While most students are full-time, a few may be taking courses part-time. Either way, time management is important.
Credit load can vary between 12-18 credits for full-time and 6-11 for part-time. What many nursing students find out along the way is needing lots of study time. Even a part-time schedule requires a great deal of time for study. Some programs recommend 2-3 hours of study per credit.
All nursing programs require some type of clinical experience. The clinical or practicum courses may be from 4-8 hours in length spent in a healthcare setting. These experiences occur once or twice a week. Twelve-hour clinical days might be scheduled for a few clinical courses.
Study Tip 2: Use a Calendar
Set up a calendar as soon as you have your class schedule. Plot in all the required class and clinical periods. Plan commute time to arrive before the course begins. Ensure you have adequate time to get from one course to another or from the healthcare setting to campus. Then, look at other obligations you have while in school. Schedule activities such as work time or picking up the kids. Also include shopping, meal prep, laundry, etc. Make sure there is time for everything. If not, delegate! And, of course, the most important aspect is to finally schedule your study time.
Many nursing students are perfectionists. While a good trait, you may have to learn to let a few things slide. Maybe the laundry won’t get done or the floor swept as often. However, remember that these changes are temporary. Delegate to others if possible. Can your spouse, kids, parents, or friends help you? Another task to do before you start the program: make a list of what you could let go of for a while.
Study, Study, Study…
Study time is a must. As mentioned above, most schools will recommend at least 2-3 hours of study per credit. That may be a lot of study time, depending on the number of credits taken for the semester! Determine when your best study time may be. You may be a morning person and are more effective if studying in the morning. Or you may be better able to study in the afternoon or evening. The time of day doesn’t matter as long study time is scheduled into your calendar. Develop a schedule and stick to it! Only change if necessary.
Don’t Work Too Much
Analyze how much to work while in nursing school. A few students can work full-time. But, many nursing students do better with a part-time work schedule. Discuss with your employer. Determine how much flexibility can be arranged for you.
Prepare for the Semester
Preparation is very important. Think ahead of the semester about what obstacles may present and try to plan. Is your car working well? Might you run into issues with breakdowns? Do you have children? How reliable is your daycare provider? What happens if a family member gets sick? Do you foresee any upcoming healthcare needs requiring time off? Are there any weddings coming up? These are all examples of unexpected events. Make a list before the semester begins of events that could happen. Jot down 2-3 possible solutions for each. They might include enlisting the help of family or friends or riding a bus or Uber for the day. Check on prices of care repair and getting problems taken care of now if possible. Always let your instructors or professors know of possible issues early. Keep them updated if problems arise.
Your Instructors Are There to Help
I can’t say enough about my last statement. Your instructors want to help you and are there to provide advice or referrals. Get to know your instructors by introducing yourself, sending an email, or other means. (Some instructors use texting or an app called Remind.) Keep your instructors updated throughout the semester on issues or questions. They may extend the due date if they know early or as soon as possible of issues. Nurses must be assertive and communicate important information. Start early by demonstrating this skill while a student.
How Can I Afford Nursing School?
Money may also be an issue. There will be expenses of nursing school. Examples are uniforms, a stethoscope, books, a computer, and transportation. Make another list of needed purchases. Check your current expenditures and determine what to change. Make a list of your usual purchases and see if there are cheaper alternatives. Would a cheaper cup of coffee do? Are the clothes in your closet adequate for a few semesters? Meet with the school’s financial advisors to see if you qualify for financial aid. Consider applying for scholarships or grants.
Time management is the key to a successful start to your nursing career. Nursing education takes efficient use of time. No one wants to give up activities they enjoy and we have some commitments we can’t disregard. Use these tips to start planning early, even before the program starts. Developing a time management strategy will lead to your ultimate success.