A day in the life of a nursing student can be summed up in one word: busy! As a student in the Notre Dame of Maryland University Accelerated 2nd Degree Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) program, you’ll learn key nursing theories through online or on-campus coursework, attend skills and simulation labs, and experience the role of a working nurse during clinical placements.
Our rigorous program prepares you to sit confidently for the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) in as few as 15 months. With all of that to consider, how do our students balance their nursing education with everyday life? We’re glad you asked.
Balancing Nursing School and Family
Your time in the Notre Dame of Maryland University ABSN program will be packed with online learning, studying, and gaining important hands-on experience. A nursing career is a worthwhile endeavor that can help you support your family, but it’s incredibly important to balance activities with friends and family while you’re in school. Keep in mind that our nursing program will be your first priority over the next 15 months.
Communication is the key to maintaining good relationships with your friends and family while you’re in nursing school. Be sure to manage expectations and to let people around you know that you’ll need their support to be successful. It might take you longer to return messages, you’ll likely have to miss social events, and most of your attention will be focused on becoming a nurse.
Let your family and friends know that this is temporary, and explain how much you appreciate their understanding during this time. If you have a family you take care of, reach out for help when you need it. Whether it’s arranging childcare, making dinner, or cleaning the house, managing all of those responsibilities in addition to nursing school can be tricky. If you can’t get a helping hand for those tasks, schedule them out in your planner, so things don’t slip or become overwhelming.
Working While in Nursing School
Of course, life doesn’t stop for nursing school. Although your first priority will be your nursing courses and clinicals, you’ll still need to cover expenses like rent, transportation, and food. While it is possible to work while in nursing school, we don’t recommend it.
The Notre Dame of Maryland University ABSN program packs a traditional Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) curriculum into 15 months of study. This means you’ll need to approach the program as if your studies were a full-time job.
Our hybrid curriculum moves at a fast pace. You’ll spend more than 40 hours a week attending lectures, completing assignments, writing papers, responding to discussion boards, and studying for the NCLEX.
While we don’t recommend that you work full time, some of our students have successfully held jobs while in nursing school. We understand that you might have to compromise to make things work financially. If you must work during the program, just make sure to let your professors know about your situation.
Your nursing education is a full-time commitment, and missing out on a salary during nursing school can cause financial strain. Talk to us about options for financing and budgeting while you earn your nursing degree.
A great resource is your admissions counselor, who can help you access resources to get you through nursing school without a job, such as student loans. Our admissions counselors are happy to support you throughout your program and can offer knowledgeable insight.
Nursing school is demanding and challenging, especially if you are enrolled in an accelerated BSN program like ours. It is, however, worthwhile. After all, our program can be finished in 15 months, and the sacrifices you make during that time will most likely pay off once you receive your nursing degree.
Paying for Nursing School
Like any big financial decision, going back to school for nursing requires significant planning. It’s important to note that federal, state, and university grants and scholarships may be limited when you’re a Notre Dame of Maryland University ABSN student; however, you may still be able to finance your tuition through federal and/or private loans.
Regardless of your income level, it’s worthwhile to apply for financial aid by first submitting a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This is the only way to know what type of loan you’re eligible to receive.
Our financial aid office can also help you determine the best options for funding your accelerated nursing education and answer any questions you may have. You can contact them at 410-532-5369. If you have additional questions or concerns about how to pay for nursing school, be sure to reach out to one of our trusted admissions counselors.
Start Your Journey to Becoming a Nurse
If you’re ready to work toward a fulfilling career as a nurse and already have a non-nursing bachelor’s degree, our ABSN program can prepare you in as few as 15 months. After earning your BSN from our School of Nursing, you’ll be equipped with the skills and knowledge to sit for the NCLEX with confidence, and be ready to enter the profession as a practice-ready nurse.
Reach out to our team of dedicated admissions counselors today to learn more about why enrolling in our 15-month ABSN program in Maryland is worth it for your future nursing career.