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It’s possible to balance a family and nursing school, and many Australian nurses who begin their careers later in life now have a family of their own, often with multiple children. Nursing school can be stressful, especially if you have children. Below are four tips to help Australian mums become registered nurses, manage their time and keep their sanity.
1. Set aside a specific amount of time each day for studying
For the sake of making time for studying, plan out your weekends and evenings in advance so that you don’t get sucked into a whirlwind of chores and family obligations. Keep a time slot reserved for your work, and you’ll be able to focus more effectively when you have committed to doing so.
You may be able to fit in a few hours of studying during your children’s sports or music practice. However, if you prefer to study for 15 minutes every hour while working on other projects, this may be the best option for you. There is no one-size-fits-all studying method, but if you have particular times in mind for your schooling, you are much more likely to put it on the top of your list. Moreover, you can also opt for online options like Lecturio nursing courses which help you learn easily with the help of practical visual content.
2. Determine how much you are willing to give up to get what you want
You are not a superhero, and you shouldn’t pretend to be one. Humans are limited in what they can accomplish, and you can’t do it all at once. Prepare for school by taking a comprehensive inventory of your schedule and deciding what must be kept and dropped. In other words, you may have to give up your favourite pastime, such as knitting, or spend less time with your family. Make time for yourself, even if you give up your knitting projects: You can still go to the gym every day, even if you no longer knit.
3. Make an appointment for academic support
Asking for guidance from your instructor is quite acceptable. If you cannot finish a job because of unforeseen circumstances, such as illness or the need for assistance with a hardship fund, you may need some time off.
A nursing degree is a three-year program, and even though you may want to plan everything, there is a chance that your system may need to be adjusted due to unexpected events that you may not be able to manage on your own. Your tutor is available to assist you and provide recommendations on where to go for assistance.
4. Motivation
Staying motivated is a challenge for many students, but having a family makes it much more difficult. To avoid burnout or procrastination, you must have mechanisms in place. It is important to remember that you have the support of your family and friends.
- Restart your life with a clean slate. What if your New Year’s resolutions have fallen by the wayside this year, and you don’t know how to get back on track? Do you put off making a change until next year? You may break procrastination tendencies by giving oneself a ‘new start’ and asserting in your mind that things are different.
- Make a Plan! Setting objectives can help you keep track of what has to be done and finish activities on schedule.
- It’s time to take a break and have some fresh air. How fortunate to have a once-in-a-lifetime chance. In addition to giving yourself some much-needed time off, it’s also a great way to keep your kids occupied. Take a 40-minute stroll around a park or along a walking track to make your kids weary and ready for sleep when you come home.
- Celebrate your accomplishments and give yourself a treat! If you’ve finished a project or a semester, don’t be afraid to treat yourself to a pleasant supper or a gorgeous purchase.
- Whether it’s via pinning motivating phrases about your study area or watching inspiring TED Talks from entrepreneurs, look for ways to be inspired.
Take it easy, and don’t worry about perfection. Perfection’s high bar will wear you down quickly. Do your best, but don’t become discouraged if things aren’t always flawless.
As tricky as nursing school might be on its own, adding a family to the mix makes things more difficult. On the other hand, many parents can get their nursing degrees each year by putting in the necessary time, effort, and prioritizing. These pointers can help you strike a balance between your family and your nursing studies.