Skip to main content
Chamberlain University, College of Nursing and Health Professionals
Menu

Mobile Main navigation

  • About
    • Accreditation
    • Alumni
    • Blog
    • Chamberlain Care
    • Diversity & Inclusion
    • History
    • Newsroom
    • Online Education
    • Our Vision
    • Student Consumer Information
  • Academics
    • College of Nursing
      • 3-Year Bachelor of Science in Nursing
      • RN to BSN Option
      • RN to MSN Options
      • Certificate Programs
      • Master of Science in Nursing
      • MSN - Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner
      • MSN - Family Nurse Practitioner
      • MSN - Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
      • Doctor of Nursing Practice
    • College of Health Professions
      • Public Health Certificate Programs
      • Master of Physician Assistant Studies
      • Master of Public Health
      • Master of Social Work
    • Academic Resources
      • Academic Calendar
      • College Catalog
      • Curriculum Plans
  • Campus & Online
    • Campus
    • AZ - Phoenix
    • CA - Irwindale
    • CA - Sacramento
    • FL - Jacksonville
    • FL - Miramar
    • GA - Atlanta
    • IL - Addison
    • IL - Chicago
    • IL - Tinley Park
    • IN - Indianapolis
    • LA - New Orleans
    • MI - Troy
    • MO - St. Louis
    • NV - Las Vegas
    • NJ - North Brunswick
    • NC - Charlotte
    • OH - Cleveland
    • OH - Columbus
    • TX - Houston
    • TX - Irving
    • TX - Pearland
    • TX - San Antonio
    • VA - Tysons Corner
    • BSN Online Option
    • Post-Licensure & Graduate
      • RN to BSN Option
      • RN to MSN Option
      • Master of Science in Nursing
      • MSN - Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner
      • MSN - Family Nurse Practitioner
      • Doctor of Nursing Practice
      • Master of Physician Assistant Studies
      • Master of Public Health
      • Master of Social Work
  • Admission & Financial Aid
    • Admission
      • Transfer Guide
      • Catalog
      • Academic Calendar
      • Military Information
    • Financial Aid
      • Tuition & Expenses
      • Types of Financial Assistance
      • Financial Forms
      • Educational Healthcare Partners
      • Loans
      • Work Study
      • Grants
      • Scholarships

Mobile Secondary Navigation

  • Apply
  • Request More Info
  • Request More Info
  • Call
  • Apply
  • Request Info
  • Request Info

Mobile Utility Navigation

  • Current Students
  • Prospective Students
  • Transfers
  • Military
  • Alumni
  • Partners
  • Employers

Top Utility Navigation

  • Current Students
  • Information For
    • Current Students
    • Prospective Students
    • Transfers
    • Military
    • Alumni
    • Partners
    • Employers
  • Chat
  • 877.751.5783
Chamberlain University, College of Nursing and Health Professionals

Main Header navigation

  • About

    About

    Chamberlain University has a 130-year history preparing extraordinary nursing graduates and healthcare professionals. 

    • Accreditation
    • Alumni
    • Blog
    • Chamberlain Care
    • Diversity & Inclusion
    • History
    • Newsroom
    • Online Education
    • Our Vision
    • Student Consumer Information
  • Academics

    Academics

    Whether you're an aspiring nurse looking to launch a rewarding career, a nursing professional looking to advance your career, or a professional looking to impact public health, Chamberlain offers the degree programs, options and resources to help you succeed.

    • College of Nursing
      • 3-Year Bachelor of Science in Nursing
      • RN to BSN Option
      • RN to MSN Options
      • Certificate Programs
      • Master of Science in Nursing
      • MSN - Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner
      • MSN - Family Nurse Practitioner
      • MSN - Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
      • Doctor of Nursing Practice
    • College of Health Professions
      • Public Health Certificate Programs
      • Master of Physician Assistant Studies
      • Master of Public Health
      • Master of Social Work
    • Academic Resources
      • Academic Calendar
      • College Catalog
      • Curriculum Plans
  • Campus & Online

    On Campus & Online

    Interested in becoming a nurse?
    Earn your BSN at one of 23 campuses located across the country, in just 3 years

    • Campus
    • AZ - Phoenix
    • CA - Irwindale
    • CA - Sacramento
    • FL - Jacksonville
    • FL - Miramar
    • GA - Atlanta
    • IL - Addison
    • IL - Chicago
    • IL - Tinley Park
    • IN - Indianapolis
    • LA - New Orleans
    • MI - Troy
    • MO - St. Louis
    • NV - Las Vegas
    • NJ - North Brunswick
    • NC - Charlotte
    • OH - Cleveland
    • OH - Columbus
    • TX - Houston
    • TX - Irving
    • TX - Pearland
    • TX - San Antonio
    • VA - Tysons Corner
    • BSN Online Option Clinical in select states
    • Post-Licensure & Graduate
      • RN to BSN Option
      • RN to MSN Option
      • Master of Science in Nursing
      • MSN - Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner
      • MSN - Family Nurse Practitioner
      • Doctor of Nursing Practice
      • Master of Physician Assistant Studies
      • Master of Public Health
      • Master of Social Work
  • Admission & Financial Aid

    Admission & Financial Aid

    Chamberlain is committed to providing quality and accessible healthcare and nursing education. Our team is with you every step of the way, providing the information you need to make the decisions that best serve you.

    • Admission
      • Transfer Guide
      • Catalog
      • Academic Calendar
      • Military Information
    • Financial Aid
      • Tuition & Expenses
      • Types of Financial Assistance
      • Financial Forms
      • Educational Healthcare Partners
      • Loans
      • Work Study
      • Grants
      • Scholarships

Secondary Header Navigation

  • Apply
  • Request More Info
  • Request More Info
  • Call
  • Apply
  • Request Info
  • Request Info

Featured

nursing student holding tablet and glancing out of a window
8 Great Reasons to Earn Your Master of…
Dr. Melani Bell mentors Chamberlain student
Why I Chose Chamberlain… Again
Nurse fist bumping with child
5 Great Reasons to Earn Your MSN Degree…

Tags

Browse articles by category
Alumni
Campus News
Careers
Health Professions
Nursing Today
Tips for Students

Share

Blog Social Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Email
  • LinkedIn
  • Home / Blog / Campus News / 5 Tips to Balance Family, Work and Nursing School

5 Tips to Balance Family, Work and Nursing School

April 10, 2013 by Molly Mattison
balance

“Nursing school is like no other. It takes an organized, motivated and determined person to make it to the finish line."

Since she was a little girl putting band-aids on baby dolls, Jennifer Joseph knew she wanted to be a nurse. Nearly 20 years after graduating from high school, she decided it was time to make it happen. 

While a full-time student in Chamberlain’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing program, Joseph worked at least 20 hours per week, while still making time for her husband, two daughters and three dogs.

Throw in a family with that, and it can become overwhelming. Having a support system in place is the key to success.”

Joseph, a March 2013 graduate of the Chicago campus, shares how she managed to balance family, work and nursing school:

1. Start Organized—and Stay That Way! 

At the start of each session, Joseph programmed alerts into the calendar on her iPhone to remind her about upcoming tests and important dates.

“If you forget one assignment, your grade has now dropped,” Joseph said. “It’s nice to be organized from the beginning, rather than trying to play catch up.”

Joseph also put a calendar on the family fridge and wrote down what she had going on each day, whether it be a clinical or work.  Her family could see what days she would be very busy and when she would have more space for family time.

2. Find a Network of Support 

Even with the best-laid plans, life often intervenes. Having someone to call when it does is especially important in nursing school. While she had the help of her husband, Joseph still needed to call on a neighbor when she was in a crunch.

chicago mothers nursing school


“Having a support person on stand-by really helps,” Joseph said. “Whether it’s a significant other, a neighbor, a family member or friend, I definitely recommend having someone who understands what you’re going through and can be there if you need them.”

“Have a back-up for your back-up.” 18 Tips for a Successful Semester in Nursing School 

Joseph was one of 12 moms in her class, so they would often lean on each other for advice and encouragement as well.

“I have made close friends that I will be friends with forever,” she said. “We’re all compassionate people— we’re all nurses. We all have one thing in common and that is having the mindset of compassion and caring.” 

3. Create a Study Space

During nursing school, Joseph used a bedroom of her home as an office. When the door was closed, her family knew not to knock or interrupt unless it was an emergency.

“I created a nice area where I could open up a book, have my laptop open and have plenty of space and light,” Joseph said. “You have to be sure there are no distractions – leave your phone outside the room and just focus.”

As marathon study sessions aren’t the most beneficial, Joseph would study in spurts. She might study for an hour then put in a load of laundry, or study for two hours, then watch a few minutes of TV to clear her mind.

Time Management Tips for Nursing School

While this worked for Joseph, it might not work as well for others, including those who have small children. Starbucks might be a better option for some – it doesn’t matter where your study space is, as long as you designate one, Joseph said.

4. If You Must Work, Make Sure You Have Flexibility

While working as a full-time student isn’t recommended, it may be a necessity for some. During school, Joseph had a part-time role at a midwife’s office. Finding an employer who will be flexible with your schedule and keeping communication open with your manager are essential if you plan to work during nursing school, Joseph said.

“Your manager needs to understand that your school schedule will change every eight weeks,” she said. “Communicate with your manager ahead of time and give them as much notice as possible about your schedule.”

Throughout the course of the program, Joseph never took significant time off to study from her position at a midwife’s office.

“I kept my routine consistent and just pushed through,” Joseph said. “I love my work and going there helped me clear my mind a bit and gave me a break from studying.”

nursing school working mom


5. Keep the End Goal in Mind

At the start of the Bachelor in Science in Nursing program, Joseph printed out her program plan. Each semester, she would cross off another task so she could stay focused on her goals.

She also took time to talk openly with her daughters about her desire to attend nursing school and how it would affect them, including an occasional missed soccer game or class event. Whenever possible, she would include them in nursing school events—like the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure.

“Looking back at my kids during graduation and seeing them smile and cheer me on made it all worth it,” Joseph said. “You have to keep the focus on what you’re doing and know that your kids will be so proud of you when you’re done. They see you do it and then you’re even more of a role model for them.”

 

By Molly Mattison

More from Campus News

View all >
chamberlain conversations with Karen Cox, president of chamberlain university
Chamberlain Conversations – Why Our Social Mission Matters
Read more
Jazmine Hayes as adult
Cancer Survivor Becomes Nurse at Children's Hospital
Read more
Chamberlain University and LCMC Health in Louisiana Welcome…
Read more
empower scholarship fund group photo
Honoring Future Nurses: Chamberlain Scholarships Support…
Read more
Show more >

Request More Information

To receive the Chamberlain University Program Guide, including associated career paths, please select a program of study.

Chamberlain University, College of Nursing and Health Professionals

Secondary Footer Navigation

  • Apply
  • Request More Info
  • Request More Info
  • Call
  • Apply
  • Request Info
  • Request Info

Student Portal Login

Main Campus
Addison Campus
1221 North Swift Road
Addison, IL 60101 

National Management Offices
500 W. Monroe St, Suite 1300
Chicago, IL 60661

All Campus Locations
Contact

Footer Menu Column 1

  • Online Programs
  • Master of Physician Assistant Studies
  • Alumni Association
  • Chamberlain Marketplace
  • Military
  • Leadership
  • Catalog & Viewbook

Footer Menu Column 2

  • Student Portal
  • Student Consumer Info
  • Accreditation
  • Parent Organization
  • CA Performance Fact Sheets
  • CA BPPE Annual Report
  • CA BPPE Website

Footer Menu Column 3

  • Careers
  • Privacy Policy
  • Online Cookie Policy
  • Sitemap
  • Terms of Use
  • Accessibility
  • Student Disability Services
  • Office of Equity and Access

Footer Social Media Navigation

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • YouTube
  • Pinterest

2022 Chamberlain Universtiy LLC. All rights reserved.

Footer Menu Line 1

  • Online Cookie Policy
  • Privacy Policy
  • Sitemap
  • Terms of Use
  • *140,000 Chamberlain students, alumni and faculty

    † Chamberlain University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (www.hlcommission.org), an institutional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. The baccalaureate degree program in nursing, master’s degree program in nursing, Doctor of Nursing Practice program, and post graduate APRN certificate programs at Chamberlain University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, (https://www.aacnnursing.org/CCNE). The Chamberlain University Doctor of Nursing Practice (delivered via distance education) is accredited by the National League for Nursing Commission for Nursing Education Accreditation (NLN CNEA) located at 2600 Virginia Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20037 (202-909-2526). Chamberlain University’s Master of Public Health Program is accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health, www.ceph.org. For the most updated accreditation information, visit chamberlain.edu/accreditation. Chamberlain University’s Master of Social Work degree program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education’s Commission on Accreditation, www.cswe.org. The Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant, Inc. has granted Accreditation-Provisional status to the Chamberlain University Physician Assistant Program. 

    To report unresolved complaints to the Illinois Board of Higher Education visit their webpage at https://complaints.ibhe.org/ or by mail to 1 N. Old State Capitol Plaza, Suite 333, Springfield, IL 62701-1377. View Chamberlain's complaint process.

    Chamberlain University confers online degrees from its Main Campus in Addison, IL.

    Chamberlain University is a member of Adtalem Global Education, Inc. www.adtalem.com
    ©2022 Chamberlain University LLC. All rights reserved.