A day in the life: a nursing school day
Last time I did a day-in-the-life post, nursing school hadn't started.
My days have changed a LOT since then, so here's a peek at a day in nursing school.
6:30
I woke up, laid motionless in bed in the dark for a while, then checked my phone (I know, I know....the routine of champions.)
7:00
I got up, threw some clothes on, did a bare minimum hair/makeup thing, and ate a bowl of shredded wheat.
7:30
I walked to school, carrying nothing except my little school-required calculator.
There is a nursing school rule that says if your phone goes off during a test, you will immediately be demoted to a 75 as your best possible grade.
This has terrified me so much, I do not even bring my phone with me to school on exam days.
On this day, I left it at home, under my pillow.
Why under the pillow? Well, my earbuds were plugged into my phone, and I figured it would be safer to hide the whole mess under a pillow because of the cat criminal who lives here. 😉
7:45
I arrived at school and chatted with classmates until our exam room opened at 8:00.
We take our exams in a big room with individual computers for each of us. We get a pencil and a scratch piece of paper, and nothing else.
We even have to leave the lids of our calculators at the front of the room.
I've heard that there were some cheating issues with another semester recently, so that explains why things are verrrrry locked down in the nursing program these days.
8:45
Test over! Time to walk back home.
9:00
At home, I:
- showered
- got dressed and did my hair/makeup (which, as I always say, is not a big ordeal because I am lazy in the beauty department)
- made my bed
- started a load of laundry
- wrote this post up to here 😉
And except for during the showering/writing part of that bulleted list, I listened to a chapter on hypertension in my earbuds.
The amount of reading that's assigned to us is wild (this particular week, it was 22 chapters), so I listen to the book's computer voice read the chapters, at 2x speed, whenever I am walking, driving, cleaning, doing laundry, cooking, and so on.
10:00
I:
- made coffee
- listened to part of a chapter on diabetes management
- filled out a med card for humalog insulin
- texted with a friend from my support group who is having frustrating troubles with her ex-husband
- texted with a friend who was about to take the math test (we'd studied together a few days prior, and I quizzed her on a few things/encouraged her)
11:00
I:
- posted the day's blog post on my Facebook page, my Facebook group, and sent it out to my email subscribers
- switched my laundry to the dryer
- made a salad for myself, using lettuce, ham, dill Havarti cheese, and a cucumber (while listening to more nursing chapters)
- ate the salad with Chiquita
- texted with Sonia (our conversations largely consist of sending each other pictures of our cats)
- got ready to head back to school
12:00
I:
- walked halfway to school and realized I had never put deodorant on after my shower
- quickly walked back to my house and rectified the deodorant situation
- had to change plans and drive to school because now I was short on time
- found a parking spot so far back, I might as well have just walked to class after all
12:30-2:00
We had a lecture on chronic diseases (like diabetes, hypertension, COPD, and heart failure).
2:00-2:30
Break time! I spent it socializing with my classmates.
Annnnnd we got our math test scores at this point in the day.
2:30-4:30
Next up, we had a two-hour lecture on perioperative nursing, which is nursing done before, during, and after surgery.
4:30
School was out for the day!
As I was walking out to the parking lot, I saw a classmate who was repeating semester 1 because she hadn't passed the math test last semester. She has faced some hard challenges this semester (like one of her parents dying unexpectedly), but she told me she'd passed!
I screamed a happy scream with her and gave her a big hug and my goodness, I almost cried because I was so happy for her.
5:00
I picked up some paperwork at home and drove to go drop it off at an office.
Did I listen to nursing textbook chapters as I drove?
(Yes. Yes, I did.)
On my way back, I popped in at Safeway because I needed some tomatoes for a salad.
And that's when I picked up the free pound of butter I mentioned in a previous post.
6:15
I made chipotle chicken and grilled it. I also made the sauce, and a green salad, and we ate the chicken on the salad, with the sauce as a dressing.
I got some croissants out of the freezer and toasted those for us to eat on the side.
Since I'd been gone most of the day, I chatted with Zoe over dinner and got caught up on her day.
By 8:00, dinner was cleaned up and I sat down to catch up on writing down my day.
8:30
I worked on finishing up my blog post for the next day and I scheduled it to publish the next morning.
9:00
I was pretty tired by this point, so I didn't have much energy for anything brain-related.
I did text with Sonia to figure out a time for her to come over for FAFSA help.
Then Lisey called on her way home from work and while we chatted, I folded my laundry and got ready for bed.
10:00
I did my Duolingo lesson, applied my dry-eye mask (you can read more about the eye mask/my eye issue here), and went to sleep.
You know that Calvin and Hobbes book titled, "The Days are Just Packed"?
That's how I feel most of the time lately!
Except my packed days do not involve hanging out in a tree. 😉
By the way, nursing school days vary tremendously, so it's hard to share one that is emblematic of this period of my life. This particular day had an exam (we don't have those every day!), and several lectures.
But there are also days when I don't spend much time at the school building, and more of my time is spent doing homework and studying.
And soon, some of my school days will be clinical days.
Sooooo, when I do another nursing school day-in-the-life, it probably will be nothing like this one. 😉
My sons are very into Calvin and Hobbes, as were my siblings and I when we were kids. We have almost all of them, and I've read some of them again. They are extremely good, with surprisingly complex themes and very good vocabulary. It's so funny to me that while my sons of course completely identify as Calvin, and I did too when I read them as a kid, I now am nodding along to everything the parents say. Especially the mom. 🙂
I remember that about watching Father of the Bride; when I was young, I identified with the bride, and later on, I identified with the parents!
@kristin @ going country, another Calvin and Hobbs fan here.
@kristin @ going country, I am so Unfrugal I sprang for the entire 4 volume hardback Complete Calvin & Hobbs so I could read (and reread) every, single, strip. From beginning to end.
@JDinNM, List price $225 but "only" $128.71 on Amazon. "Free" delivery for Prime members.
@kristin @ going country, another huge Calvin and Hobbs fan. I have all of the books, but I mostly bought them at thrift stores. Jim Watterson has finally just published another book but it is not a Calvin book
@Kristen, Listening to the song "Mrs. Robinson." "Most of all you've got to hide it from the kids." Me age 20: searing indictment of older generation. Me age 50: you're damn right--it's none of your business, kids.
@JDinNM, not necessarily unfrugal--- hard cover books are an investment. They weather the repeated use much better than paperback books & keep pages more intact which prolong the life of the book. Not to mention nicer to pass down to future generations & worth more money in future, especially if author dies, becomes collector piece or becomes banned book or not available.
There are some books I wish I would have spent the extra $$ on to get in hardcover.
@Regina, Thank you! I will leave my collection to you in my Will.
@Bee,
Same here!
@Rose, that line didn't sound familiar so I looked up the full lyrics. Now I have to admit that I have no idea what that song is about, other than it being from The Graduate.
@MB in MN, Not only am I famous for singing all the words to a song and not having a clue what it's about, I am also gifted at misunderstanding lyrics. Exhibit A: I thought the line in the Steely Dan song "Reeling in the Years" was "reeling in the eaves, stonin' away the time." When a friend asked what those lyrics could possibly mean, I said that it must be about young people smoking marijuana up on the roof. Exhibit B: After singing along to the song "Timothy" my husband asked me if I knew that it was about cannibalism. I said, "No way!" Then I truly listened to it and thought "Yes way."
@JDinNM,
I got 3 out of the 4 volumes of Complete C&H at a used book store. One of my best scores! Still am looking for the missing one; hopefully it will turn up someday when I'm there. But I also have a few other C&H books scored from Goodwill and the library book sale and other frugal places.
@MB in MN, It's about the emptiness and hypocrisy of the older generation. Mrs. Robinson is an alcoholic and trapped in a loveless marriage.
The movie was one my dad's favorites, whereas I just adore Anne Bancroft and her leopard coat as Mrs. Robinson.
I have a friend who used "There She Goes" by the La's as a wedding song.
Um....it's about heroin. Basically most songs are about heroin.
@Regina, Agreed, I have a small collection of "vintage" books--Will Cuppy, Peg Bracken, Jean Kerr, and I love it when I can find them in hardcover, in good condition, at a good price. Paperbacks do not hold up as well, so if I can't find a hardcover but there are paperback reprints, I'll get that, but nothing beats those hardcovers.
@MB in MN, I have read that the song was originally titled "Mrs Roosevelt" and was sort of an anthem about Eleanor Roosevelt and what she had to put up with (FDR's affairs) and keeping it secret. Of course, it works just as well about a married woman having an affair with a younger man.
@MB in MN, I thought "Bringing in the Sheaves" was "raking up the leaves."
And that is only one of many such errors.
I will have to figure out FASFA for triplets this year! If you have some tips, I would love some help. Nursing school is a rollercoaster for sure! It will be done before you know it and I have no doubt you will do so well! Good job on the math test!!
Ugh. Well, once you get one done, the other two should be pretty easy! Just repeat the process. lol
It's a little like filing taxes with Turbo Tax; it's not terribly complicated, but it is annoying.
Ha—I can so relate to the deodorant thing and that’s why I keep a spare in my car when I have to drive into work. Doesn’t happen often but I’m panicked when it does! Maybe I should just keep a travel size in my purse at all times (the Native brand are teeny)…
Haha, maybe I need one in my backpack for the times when I'm walking to school and realize my mistake.
@Kristen, we have a deodorant in the car for kiddos and my son has one in his backpack! The little travel ones work great, if space is an issue!
Can we see a picture of the cat puzzle in the top picture with chiquita
I love cats and I love puzzles
You are a hard working woman. May God bless your efforts.
hi, thanks for your blog. There wasn't a link to the dry eye/mask reference so I'm really curious what your issues are b/c I've been dealing with weeping eyes which can also be the result of dry eye. If you could share that would be so helpful!
Deirdre
@Deirdre,
I think it’s the post from 18 October 2023 called ‘Sort of a Q&A’ 😉
Oh my, you are right! I meant to add the link and didn't; I will do that now.
But also, here it is: https://www.thefrugalgirl.com/sort-of-a-qa/
Ooh, time for me to share my I-forgot-deoderant trick! If you're really in a pinch, a bit of hand-sanitizer under the pits will save you. It kills off the lil stinky bacteria. Obviously not an every day solution, but if I was already somewhere and had forgotten deodorant, 1-2 applications got me through the day.
@Meira @ meirathebear, Great tip! Thank you.
@Meira @ meirathebear,
Yup. I've done this. Sometimes wrangling four year olds makes for stinky pits even when I did remember deodorant...hand sanitizer does the trick every time! Bonus that there's always a bottle around at school...
Love this! At Bethel many of my friends & classmates were nursing majors so I got to see a side of nursing studies 20 years ago. And pages in their textbooks (such as labor progression) that I never wanted to see again! It is neat to “journey” with you on your studies & avoid the squeamish stuff:)
P.S. I’m reading before coffee, and misread croissants as croutons and was so confused/curious why there were a side item. Need more caffeine this time change week!
@Rachel R., I just read croissants also.
@Regina,
Last week, I read plenty of white teeth instead of white tees!
I do have white-ish teeth, but I dunno if I'd say I have plenty. I have...the normal amount. lol
You. Are. Amazing!
*Just* nursing school would do me in, but you manage healthy meals, family time, blogging and photos, and acing your (MATH!!!) tests. I'm gonna call you ma'am!
Haha, thank you!
I'm amazed at everything you got done before coffee 🙂
Retired nurse here, and I am loving this view of nursing school again! Sounds like you are in a tough but excellent program - a very good combo for when you face the NCLEX. Off-beat question: what does “RF” mean in the margins of your class notes?
Ah, that's for risk factors. It was from my Chronic Diseases lecture, so they were going over all the various risk factors for hypertension, diabetes, etc.
And yes, my program is not the easiest one out there, but it is consistently rated as the best one in my whole state. I have high hopes I will be able to pass the NCLEX after I graduate. 🙂
I keep a deodorant in my desk at work, for that very reason. I can't keep one in my car because, you know, Florida....
You are doing so well, Kristen! I still hope you will seriously think about geriatric care.
I hope they are teaching you that some diabetics with low blood sugar can become violent. No one warned us of that when DH was diagnosed.
My usual day is very structured since I'm in a regular 8-5, Monday through Thursday and 8-3 Friday job. Let me note here, I work through my lunch breaks, so I'm not getting away with less than 40 hours by leaving early on Fridays.
I get the occasional different schedule, but normally it's a very set routine. The only variances are in the days I go by the nursing home before going home and the days I don't. My dogs are as set in this routine as I am. I freak them out if I come home earlier than usual.
Well, our clinical rotations start soon this semester, and we are beginning in assisted living! So, I will get to see how I like that kind of nursing.
I'll get to try all sorts during my semesters at school!
Great post, Kristen! Your days are jam-packed and you’re acing them through super organization and doubling up on tasks/listening. It makes me want to organize my day more efficiently too.
I adore a peek into other industries and others' lives. It’s why I loved Mr. Rogers's program and your blog community.
I'm glad that your (new) house is so close to school, is exactly what you need right now. And frugal extension in so many additional ways.
Was that a metal bowl you were eating your salad out of? I recently saw a product for metal salad bowl with built in dressing holder(?) that inserted into top then had lid. Your picture of lunch salad looked similar (?).
After reading your post about cat getting your last ear buds I think you're brave for leaving under your pillow. Does cat not get onto your bed? My sister had cat that got on everything & if saw any kind of cord would pull at it until got out. She lost a lot of phone chargers. 😉
You are a great inspiration to not only your daughter but anyone who gets to know you. You definitely are driving the way into your new future. Keep up the great work!
Haha, yes, that's one of my metal mixing bowls. I often use the smaller one as a salad bowl.
Usually if my cats can't see my earbuds, they will leave them alone. So, under the pillow was a safe spot!
Thank you for sharing your day-in-the-life, nursing school edition, Kristen. It was fascinating to me because I had no idea what nursing school is like. Kudos to you for embarking on this journey. You are going to be an excellent nurse!
am so happy nursing school is going well and you are happy. no one deserves to have happier times than you. thanks for a peek into your day and a touch of lissey. i love hearing about her. she is so brave. the apple doesn't fall far from the tree.
You are always so kind, Anita. <3
What a busy, productive day!
This line caught my eye: "filled out a med card for humalog insulin"
Is this for study purposes? If so, what sorts of things do you have to know about all the medications?
The scientist in me is fascinated by all your nursing lingo, but I know that it's not the job for me. I'm grateful for all the medical staff that has helped me and my family along the way.
I'll have to show you guys in a future post. I hate doing medcards because they're supposed to hand-written and there is SO MUCH STUFF to write on them. Dosing info, side effects, mechanism of action, what you teach the patient, what you do as a nurse, possible adverse reactions, drug interactions, routes of administration, and so on.
They're mainly for helping us learn, I think, but I also hear that we will need them for clinicals. I don't really understand quite how we will use them, but clinicals start soon so I will figure it out shortly. lol
@Kristen, Fascinating! Thanks for sharing. It reminds me of the "cheat sheets" we could make for my math / engineering class exams. Usually, the process of writing it all down helped commit it to memory. And if you forgot a formula, then it was with on the paper to help you.
Such busy days Kristen - if you ever need to take a day off, just schedule one and we will do the comments section between ourselves. Take care!
Sonia's fluffy cat is so cute! Cat picture texts sounds delightful.
My only nursing school experience was through my lifelong friend (since we were 10 years old) who went to a three year residential program at a Virginia hospital in the 1970's and earned her RN. She LOVED being a cardiac rehab nurse for many years and her patients still love her. Anyway, my picture of nursing school is summed up in a letter she sent me during her second year: handwritten in blue ink on toilet paper, it basically said "We have to make use of every available minute because nursing school eats up your life. Gotta flush, love you, bye!
Kristen, I'm glad technology has progressed to the point that you don't have to communicate with your friends and family on toilet paper!
Man, it does feel like that! You work so, so hard to just barely get it all done, with little time for anything else but the essentials.
Good thing nursing school doesn't last forever!
@Kristen,
I know they are putting you through your paces. But you're meeting every challenge with flying colors.
BTW, pls. tell your profs that I love the school's cell phone testing policy -- that if you have your cell phone in class, the highest you can score is 75%. As a teacher (OK, former FT teacher and current substitute), I wish all schools did that! Kids are so addicted to cell phones, it's not funny.
Most of my communication with adult children is cat texts!
When nothing special is going on, at least a cat picture is a way of keeping in touch.
Yep. Heck, I even send pictures of Chiquita to Zoe, and Zoe lives with me. 😉
You have such an interesting life! Congrats on another perfect test score!
Thank you!
How amazing to be able to walk to school, almost like living on campus! My college had an enormous campus, so I mostly rode my bike to get to classes when I was in nursing school.
And that chicken dish looked goooood!
Oh Kristen, reading about the phone and testing scenario made me shiver. On the very first day of school (as an older returning mom student), my psych professor announced that if our phones made a noise, we would be ejected from the lesson and EVERYONE in the classroom would get an immediate 50-point deduction from our grade. I was terrified and started turning volume off, silencing notifications and then turning the whole thing off. I was so afraid that the phone would somehow turn itself back on! I don't blame you at all for just leaving it at home. Yikes.