Sorry, you need to enable JavaScript to visit this website.
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 Option
      • 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 Option
      • 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

Image of Chamberlain Care Awards graphic
Drumroll, Please: Meet the Chamberlain…
Chamberlain Care Awards picture
Recognizing Chamberlain Alumni’s…
chamberlain conversations with Karen Cox, president of chamberlain university
Chamberlain Conversations – Why Our…

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 / Care For You / Care for Self: Tips for Balancing Nursing School and Life

Care for Self: Tips for Balancing Nursing School and Life

May 12, 2015 by Ryan Segovich
care self balance

Time management is a valuable skill for anyone to have. Life may not always accommodate our plans, but work, family and personal pursuits are all important parts of a day.

If you’re unsure about what you can do to best manage your time between nursing school and life, here are some tips from current nursing students who have tackled their own obstacles in maintaining their desired balance.

What obstacles do you face in balancing life as a student?

. My house caught fire a week after I was accepted to Chamberlain. So I’ve had a continual rebuilding project to attend to. I’m also married with three children, working part-time.

- Stacy Decroix

I work part-time as a patient-care tech and am married with two children, one of whom is a newborn.

- Kimberly Brown

I work part-time at a hospital as well as at a local school. I’m married and have four kids who are involved with sports and other activities.

- Jennifer Kadel

I work part-time and also help as a caregiver to my husband’s grandmother. I’m married and we have two young children.

- Andrea Woods

How do you maintain the balance you want?

. I like to be extremely organized. I use a written planner to write out everything I have going on. Not only does it help me to see all my activities in one place, but just the act of writing it out helps me to better remember things.

Once I’ve got all my time-sensitive activities written down, I section off time to do activities like studying, homework or spending time with my family.

- Stacy Decroix

My husband is a great support system all by himself. He helps me manage my time by taking on a lot of activities around the house. But I also use an app on my smartphone called Cozi. It’s a scheduling app designed specifically with families in mind. It lets me coordinate my time with my husband. So I can add in reminders about assignments for myself, but also let him see when I’ve set aside time to study.

- Kimberly Brown

I utilize all of my support system. My husband helps me out by picking up everything around the house and attending to bills, while my kids help with laundry and the dishes. My in-laws and friends will help by taking the kids to their activities. Other parents help by carpooling to school and events. And even my coworkers help me out by giving me pointers for school or quizzing me while I’m at work.

- Jennifer Kadel

I keep myself on schedule by using a written planner. I’ll list out all of the activities for my family. It really helps me to have them all in one place. Then, I just update it as life happens. At the start of each session, I add in all the important dates from my syllabi. I try to look ahead as far as possible, adding in school schedules, activities, etc. for everyone else too. Once I’ve got it all down, I can plan around what’s going on.

- Andrea Woods

What other tips do you have for students looking to better balance school and life?

. When you’re planning out time, be sure to factor in time for yourself. Whether it’s to grab a coffee or get a manicure or pedicure. It’s important to relax when you can.

- Stacy Decroix

Make sure to give yourself time to have fun. Don’t overdo it on everything else. Mange your time appropriately so you can have some free time for yourself on the weekend or other day of the week. It can also really help a lot if you can give yourself an evening off during the week too.

- Kimberly Brown

If you’re working, it can’t hurt to talk with your manager about getting some flexibility in your schedule. There’s no guarantee, but by asking you at least make them aware of the different strains on your time and they may be able to give you some flexibility when you need it most.

- Jennifer Kadel

You need to schedule downtime for yourself. If possible, build in a window of time to sit and relax or exercise. Or just alternating between demanding and less serious tasks can help give you a break. It’s important to be aware of how you’re going to feel after a long day or week and insert time accordingly.

- Andrea Woods

What tips do you have for managing life as a nursing student? Share your ideas in the comments below.

By Ryan Segovich

More from Care For You

View all >
chamberlain nurses strong
Nurses: 7 Tips for Self Care and Resilience
Read more
relaxation-tips-for-nurses
Top 4 Relaxation Tips for Nurses
Read more
nurse resolution 2019
4 Resolutions Every Nurse Should Make in 2019
Read more
opioid crisis
Healthcare Professionals Determined to Take Down the Opioid…
Read more
Show more >

Request More Information

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

Footer Social Media Navigation

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

Secondary Footer Navigation

  • Apply
  • Request More Info
  • Request More Info
  • Call
  • Apply
  • Request Info
  • Request Info
Chamberlain University, College of Nursing and Health Professionals
Chamberlain University

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

National Management Offices
500 W. Monroe St, Suite 28
Chicago, IL 60661

Footer Menu Mobile Column 1

  • Current Students
  • Student Consumer Info
  • Alumni Association
  • Partners
  • Transfers
  • Military
  • Academic Catalog & Viewbook
  • CA BPPE Information

Footer Menu Column 1

  • Campus Locations
  • 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
  • Contact Us
  • Accessibility
  • Student Disability Services
  • † 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.

    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.