Looking for more study tips? Read our 10 Tips for Creating Your Ideal Study Space

Tip 1: Plan Ahead

The first step in developing your time-management skills is to make a plan for what needs to be accomplished and when. Start by creating a list of tasks for the day or week and prioritize the items by level of importance so you’re not overlooking important tasks or upcoming deadlines.

Planning ahead also means knowing when to say “no” in order to stay on task while balancing work, school, and home life. While it may seem limiting at first, mastering the art of saying “no” is an essential step to striking a work-life balance. When new requests or issues come up, ask yourself whether it contributes or detracts from your goal. Then determine if it requires immediate attention or can wait until a later date. If the request requires immediate attention, consider whether it is higher priority that the items on your priority list, and if it is, determine what other items can be pushed to a later date. If you’re juggling a lot of priorities and everything seems to be due at once, break down your list into the most immediate priorities and start with the tasks you can accomplish quickly, then on the heels of your newfound momentum, move to the tasks that require more attention and effort.

Balancing work, life, and school can be tricky, check out our Tips for Busy Parents in Nursing School.

Tip 2: Manage Deadlines

Procrastination is often the biggest hurdle many have to jump when trying to manage time and balance work and home life. And when you know you have a deadline looming, it can sometimes worsen the tendency to procrastinate. Good news, self-regulation is something we can learn by breaking down tasks into manageable parts.

A simple way to feel less overwhelmed when faced with an impending deadline, is the break down the parts of the task and prioritize what needs to be done when. Once you have the scope of the project in mind, start with your deadline and work backwards to determine when each milestone needs to be completed in order to finish your task by the due date. This is a technique project managers often use when building out complex projects with a lot of moving parts, but it can also apply to your coursework, job duties, and even your home responsibilities.

Let’s put it into practice. If your task is to write a term paper and you’re deadline is in one week, first determine the scope of the task: research the topic, write the outline, gather citations, writing the first draft, and edit the draft. Then, make time each day to accomplish one of these tasks instead of cramming it all in the night before. This will allow you to balance writing your term paper with your other responsibilities, whether it’s completing other coursework, caring for children, or working a job.

If you’re struggling with staying focused, check out our article on 5 Ways to Make Studying Less of a Chore.

Tip 3. Get Organized

To minimize that dreaded sense of urgency, you can leverage organizational skills to build habits that ensure you know when your deadlines are and what is required to reach them.

• Use Organizational Tools
  Having a few tools in your organizational belt can be invaluable to your time-management process. Part of managing your time well is knowing everything you need to do and what your deadlines are. You can keep your tasks and dates organized using a physical day planner or digital calendar app. Set reminders for important dates or deadlines to help you remember when things are due. You can also keep a journal with notes as you’re working through each task so you can pick up where you left off if you have to switch to something else.
• Avoid Distractions
  An important part of completing a task, like studying or homework is to spend quality time focusing on it, but distractions can interfere with your ability to stay on task. If studying at home makes you want to clean the house, go to a coffee shop or tutoring center for quality focus time. Consider other distractions like your phone or tablet, and either leave them at home or shut them off while studying to reduce easy distractions. Another likely distraction can be family. If you’re preparing for an important exam, tell family and friends that you need a few hours of uninterrupted time to focus on your studies. Sometimes a chatty mind can also be a distraction. Find sounds that help your mind relax like soundscapes, binaural beats, classical music, or ambient sounds.
• Ask for Help
  Going to school is hard, especially when you’re balancing your time with other responsibilities. There are so many deadlines and due dates that students can quickly get overwhelmed. At 51cg, our Faculty, Student Success Advisors, Tutors, and Staff are committed to helping our students succeed, so if you’re feeling overwhelmed, start by asking for help.

At 51cg, our Faculty, Student Success Advisors, Tutors, and Staff are committed to helping our students succeed with effective time management strategies. Whether you’re beginning your healthcare journey with our ASN program, pursuing a 3 year BSN degree or accelerated BSN program, advancing through our RN to BSN program, or reaching higher with an MSN degree, we’ll provide the support you need to balance your educational goals. Discover which nursing pathway aligns with your career goals by exploring our nursing programs.

1. Understand the NCLEX Exam

The NCLEX is a standardized assessment overseen by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN). Passing this exam is imperative, as it serves as the gateway for all nurses acquiring their nursing license and enabling them to practice as RNs.

NCLEX Format and Structure

Understanding the anticipated question count on the NCLEX can be a reassuring strategy for managing anxiety. The variable format of the NCLEX features a range of questions, spanning from 75 to 265, instead of one set number that each RN candidate must answer. The point of this format is for great test takers to not have to answer so many questions and for people who struggle with testing to have ample time to demonstrate their knowledge. Test-takers are administered questions until enough information is gathered to determine a pass or fail, all within five hours, including breaks.

Content Categories and Weightage

The NCLEX is structured in four major client needs categories: safe and effective care environment, health promotion and maintenance, psychosocial integrity, and physiological integrity. Understanding question types, the variable question count, and the weightage of the four client needs categories is vital for effective preparation.

2. Prepare a Study Plan

An effective NCLEX study plan will include timelines and goals for tackling different content areas of the test. Having the right resources is instrumental in preparing for and passing the exam for RN candidates.

• Practice test questions
• Work with a Tutor
• Get together in study groups
• Go back to your textbooks
• Keep your nursing program course notes handy
• Use other commercially available NCLEX-RN prep materials

3. Identify NCLEX-Specific Stressors

Navigating the NCLEX comes with its unique set of stressors, which can significantly impact aspiring nurses. Common sources of stress and anxiety often stem from the high stakes of the exam, as passing is crucial for obtaining an RN license. Addressing performance pressure is essential, ensuring that you approach the NCLEX with confidence and a well-prepared mindset. Some ways to manage this pressure are to visit a mental health professional, learn more about the NCLEX-RN requirements, and to remind yourself you can take the NCLEX-RN more than once if need be.

4. Get to Know NCLEX Test-Taking Strategies

Taking the NCLEX requires not only a comprehensive understanding of nursing knowledge but also a mastery of effective test-taking strategies. As this examination encompasses a variety of questions and  can present a challenging time constraint, having a well-structured approach is essential.

Time Management Techniques

Effective time management is a critical aspect of success when facing the NCLEX. This includes setting time limits for each question, avoiding getting stuck on challenging items, and ensuring that there’s ample time for review. Time management techniques help test-takers maintain a steady pace, ensuring they have the opportunity to address all questions and reduce the risk of rushing through the later sections of the exam.

Dealing with Uncertainty and Guessing

Dealing with uncertainty and guessing can be inevitable on the NCLEX, where not all questions may be answerable with absolute certainty. It’s crucial to avoid getting bogged down on a single question and to make educated guesses when necessary, using hints or clues within the question to make the best-informed choice.

5. Adjust Your Approach Different Types of Questions

Navigating the NCLEX’s diverse question types demands a multifaceted approach to ensure success. Understanding the unique requirements of each question format is key. By tailoring your approach to each question type, you can maximize your performance on the NCLEX and demonstrate your readiness to excel as an RN.

• Multiple-choice: Carefully read the stem and all answer choices before selecting the best response.
• Select All That Apply (SATA): Identify all correct options by considering each choice independently and assessing whether it appropriately answers what the question is asking.
• Prioritization: This requires a keen understanding of client care and the ability to rank interventions effectively.
• Math Calculation: Necessitate precision in solving mathematical problems, keeping in mind rounding instructions and standard conversion rates when applicable.
• Chart/Exhibit-Based: Require the interpretation of a larger amount of data for a thorough response.
• Audio: Involve attentive listening to provide accurate answers.
• Fill-in-the-blank: Follow specific rounding guidelines if provided while entering the correct answer.

6. Prepare Mentally for the NCLEX Exam

Mental preparation for the NCLEX is a crucial aspect of success. Embracing mindfulness and meditation techniques can help calm nerves and improve focus during the test. Visualizations and positive affirmations are powerful tools to boost confidence and alleviate anxiety, enabling candidates to approach the exam with a positive mindset. Incorporating breathing exercises for relaxation can further aid in maintaining composure throughout the testing process. These mental preparation strategies equip aspiring nurses with the inner strength and resilience needed to tackle the NCLEX with confidence and achieve their professional goals.

7. Create a Supportive Environment

Creating a supportive environment is pivotal in ensuring a successful NCLEX journey. Building a robust support system can provide the motivation and encouragement needed to persevere through the challenging preparation period. Open and honest communication with family and friends helps establish a nurturing atmosphere, as they can better understand the demands and offer essential emotional backing. Handling social media and peer comparisons is equally vital. It’s important to avoid getting entangled in the stress-inducing cycle of comparing one’s progress to others. Fostering a supportive environment that prioritizes emotional well-being can significantly enhance one’s ability to stay focused and composed throughout the NCLEX preparation process.

8. Manage Test-Day Anxiety

Managing anxiety is a critical component of NCLEX success. Preparing the night before can significantly reduce stress by ensuring that all necessary materials, identification, and any essential documents are organized and ready. Proper nutrition and staying hydrated on the day of the exam are fundamental to maintaining optimal mental and physical condition, allowing for clear thinking and sustained energy.

Additionally, practicing positive visualization before the exam can help instill a sense of confidence and composure. These strategies collectively contribute to a calm and collected test-day experience, empowering candidates to approach the NCLEX with the utmost readiness and focus. Try to schedule the examination so that you have appropriate time for self-care both before and after the exam. Self-care can go a long way to alleviating stress.

During the NCLEX Exam

Managing your mindset and approach during the NCLEX is necessary for a successful outcome. To avoid panic during the test, it’s essential to stay composed and not let challenging questions disrupt your overall rhythm. Using breaks effectively is crucial for recharging and regaining focus. Taking short, purposeful breaks can help maintain mental sharpness. One ten minute break every 50 minutes has been shown to recharge ones mental acuity and focus. Staying focused and confident throughout the exam is essential. Believe in your preparation and ability to tackle each question, maintaining a positive and resilient mindset.

Post-Exam Coping Strategies

After completing the NCLEX, it’s crucial to employ effective post-exam coping strategies. Debriefing and reflecting on the exam can help you identify areas of improvement and better prepare for future attempts if necessary. However, it’s equally important to avoid post-exam rumination, as excessive dwelling on the test can lead to unnecessary stress. Instead, reward yourself for your efforts and dedication. Celebrate the journey you’ve undertaken, regardless of the exam’s outcome, and acknowledge your hard work.

Coping with NCLEX Results

To cope with NCLEX , begin by understanding the NCLEX scoring system to grasp your performance and identify areas for improvement. Managing expectations and emotions is essential, as your results may not always align with your expectations. Stay resilient and adaptable in the face of varying outcomes. If a retake is necessary, create a well-structured plan to address weaknesses and enhance your chances of success in subsequent attempts. These coping strategies help candidates navigate the challenging terrain of NCLEX results, ensuring they remain focused on their ultimate goal of becoming a registered nurse.

9. Maintain Overall Well-being during NCLEX Preparation

Ensuring overall well-being while preparing for the NCLEX is a paramount concern. Balancing study and self-care is crucial, as it prevents burnout and maintains mental and emotional stability. Physical exercise plays a significant role in stress management, as it releases endorphins and enhances overall resilience. Moreover, the impact of nutrition on managing anxiety should not be underestimated, as a well-balanced diet can provide the necessary energy and focus for effective study sessions. By addressing these aspects, aspiring nurses can optimize their well-being throughout their NCLEX preparation journey, setting the stage for success.

10. Seek Professional Support

Seeking professional support during your NCLEX preparation is a wise step to ensure that you’re equipped to navigate the challenges effectively. Recognizing when you need help is an important first step. Accessing various mental health resources can provide valuable guidance and emotional support during the stressful preparation period. Joining supportive study groups and communities can foster a sense of camaraderie and shared learning experiences, reducing feelings of isolation. These avenues for professional support can significantly enhance your overall readiness and well-being, helping you confidently approach the NCLEX with a robust support network in place.

The journey to becoming a registered nurse, culminating in the NCLEX, is undeniably challenging. It’s not just a test of knowledge but also a test of mental and emotional resilience. To succeed, we’ve explored a range of strategies, from understanding the exam’s format and unique question types to maintaining overall well-being and seeking professional support when needed.

Yet, as you stand on the cusp of this significant milestone, it’s essential to remember that managing stress and anxiety is an integral part of the process. Embrace mindfulness, visualization, and positive affirmations, as well as practicing effective breathing exercises. This can reduce anxiety and bolster your confidence on test day.

As you enter the NCLEX exam room, take a deep breath, trust in your abilities, and recall the reasons that led you to this moment. With mindfulness, visualization, and a positive mindset, you can navigate this challenge with confidence.

Whether you’re beginning your healthcare journey with our ASN program, pursuing a traditional BSN degree or accelerated BSN program, advancing through our RN to BSN program, or reaching higher with an MSN degree, discover which nursing program aligns with your career goals by exploring our nursing school.

First, allow us to say congratulations on deciding to rise to the challenge of going to school while also raising children. That’s a big undertaking, and we can’t respect you enough for doing it. We want to empower you to help you meet that challenge, so here are seven tips for balancing school, kids, work, and caring for yourself:

1. Reach Out to Those Close to You

Parenting is tough, and we’ll be honest: Adding school to the mix will make it tougher. Reach out to friends or family to help you as you make your way through classes, parenting, and work. Childcare is probably the most obvious area where friends or family can help, but emotional support is also important. Having lunch or dinner with peers you can talk to about your frustrations and joys is just as important to your health. Communicate your needs to those around you. They’ll help in both logistical and emotional ways. You’re not alone.

Related resource: When is the Right Time to Go Back to School?

2. Apply for Financial Aid

Financial aid is mostly associated with younger students, but it’s available to nearly everybody. For a single parent with many obligations, financial aid can be a huge help. Joyce offers many financial aid options to incoming students, and a counselor can work with you to find the type that fits your needs. Help is out there. Just ask!

3. Develop a Routine

Routines can be a great source of comfort. Uncertainty, having to make decisions, and constantly altering your daily plans on the fly is immensely stressful. A routine relieves you of all that. Your classes will have a fairly set schedule, and that’s something you can build a routine around. Hopefully you’ll be able to work with your employer to develop a work routine that meets both of your needs.

But you’ll also need a routine for your child. It’s important that they comprehend and be comfortable with their own daily plans, whether it’s going to daycare or knowing that on certain days they’ll be getting rides with certain friends or relatives. That schedule can also include times when they know they’ll be with you, and you’ll be focused on them. Blocking out times for activities will remind them that they’re still your number one priority, even in the face of all of your academic and professional obligations.

4. Talk to Your Children 51cg Your Plan

Kids are often smarter than we give them credit for, and how you talk to your children can provide a host of benefits. If your children see you studying and ask what you’re reading, tell them. They might not understand the precise or technical details of what you’re reading, but they can grasp what a nurse is and the very basics of what they do. You’ll give them something to be proud of. They’ll be able to look up to and understand that their parent is someone who helps other people. That love and pride can make the whole experience all the more rewarding.

5. When Possible, Study Online

We know a lot of our students have jobs, families, lives, and obligations. That’s a big reason why all of Joyce’s general education courses are offered online. Online classes offer many benefits, including flexibility with your schedule. You can still be there for your kids while you’re studying, and you can have the added benefit of being in your own space while you learn. You might still have to be on campus for some classes, but not all of them.

Related resource: 10 Best Study Space Tips

6. Make Time for Yourself

Given all the demands on a single parent’s time, this might feel like an impossible task, but it’s deeply necessary. Healthcare workers devote an immense amount of time and effort to their patients, and parents to their children, but you are also a human being, and you must be cared for as well. Even taking twenty minutes out of each day to read a book, take a bath, or just sit quietly in meditation can improve your wellbeing. By being recharged and refreshed, you’ll be better equipped to carry out your responsibilities. Self-care isn’t selfish: It’s necessary.

Related resource: How to Succeed in Nursing School

7. Remember Your Goal

Being in school as an adult and a parent is a unique experience. You’ll have your studies, your children, and your job all making demands on your time. Remember, though: This is temporary. Eventually you will complete your studies and get a job in a field you love. Likewise, as kids get older they become more independent. This hectic time in your life is just less than two years where you’re buckling down and doing the hard work to make a difference for yourself. Remember, there’s a payoff.

Remember, this hectic time in your life is just a stepping stone to making a difference for yourself and your family. At 51cg, whether you’re beginning your healthcare journey with our ASN program, pursuing a 3 year BSN degree or accelerated BSN program, advancing through our RN to BSN program, or reaching higher with an MSN degree, we’ll support you in balancing your education with single parenthood. Discover which nursing program aligns with your family’s future by exploring our nursing school.

Keep Learning on the Job

Even if you were a straight-A student who passed the NCLEX in 75 questions, don’t expect to know everything on your first day (or week, or month) of work. There’s a , and you’ll have to listen and keep learning. Don’t expect to be able to do everything flawlessly in the beginning. Instead, remind yourself that you’re still new at this.

Also, remember that school and tests can only do so much. Being book smart is important, but there are some things you can only learn on the job. There’s a good reason why graduating from school is called “commencement.” That experience marks the beginning of something, not the end. Give yourself permission to become a beginner again, and learn accordingly.

Related Resource: Life as a Joyce Graduate

Reach Out to Others

During nursing school, you probably got to know your classmates. You hung out, were able to talk through problems together, and bonded while sharing a difficult experience. In your first year of work, though, you’ll often be on your own, because you’ll have to work by yourself and because you won’t know anybody yet. There’s also the well-worn saying that “” Bullying and hazing does, unfortunately, happen among nurses and it’s the newest ones who bear the brunt of it.

Working on your own and being alone isn’t necessarily a bad thing. One of the only ways to achieve independence is to get out there and work independently. During your first year on the job, you’ll do well to reach out to your co-workers and make connections. Talk to people. Ask questions. Learn the specifics and quirks of the organization where you work and find a place to fit within your job’s social structure.

Are people going out for pizza after a shift? Go with them. Is it someone’s birthday and there’s cake in the break room? Talk to people and have some cake. Just don’t try to make too big of a splash. When you come into a new organization, your goal should be to find out how it works and learn what roles you can fill in it.

Related Resource: How to Get Your BSN Degree

Keep Setting Goals

Things get easier after your first year on the job. Or, more accurately, you get more accustomed to them. You make connections with your co-workers, settle into a routine, and what was once overwhelming becomes a regular task you can do with ease. When that does happen, you’ll likely want to go further and get your BSN so you can continue your cycle of learning and not get too entrenched in a comfortable routine.

Whether you’re beginning your nursing career or taking the next steps, Joyce is there for you. Learn more about our nursing and �鱷–B���� programs.

What is Compassion Fatigue?

is a state of emotional and physical exhaustion resulting from prolonged exposure to trauma or traumatized individuals. According to the , compassion fatigue happens as a result of the depletion of ones ability to cope with ones everyday environment. Professionals who are regularly exposed to trauma or high-stress environments, like those in healthcare, emergency, and community service, are likely more susceptible to developing compassion fatigue.

Related Resource: What is Compassion Fatigue?

Compassion Fatigue in Critical Care

Critical care nurses, perhaps more than most, experience trauma every day, and that repeated exposure can put them at particular risk of compassion fatigue.

The solution, of course, is not to simply avoid this line of nursing work. From their very name, these nurses are critical to saving lives and improving patient health. This means the work can also be particularly fulfilling, but only as long as critical care nurses monitor their own mental health. If you’re a nurse in adult, pediatric, or neonatal critical care, remember that you’re making a huge difference and doing necessary work, but also realize you’re at risk of compassion fatigue. You need to be on emotional guard for losing your compassion for patients, and you need to take care of yourself and your mind as you care for others.

Related Resource: Practical Advice for Choosing Your Nursing Specialty

Compassion Fatigue With Terminal Illness

Similar to critical care nurses, oncology healthcare workers are likely to have high rates of compassion exhaustion. The reason is obvious: Nurses and medical assistants who work with cancer patients day after day see a lot of death. That constant loss can sap even the most compassionate healthcare worker in a matter of years, regardless of how impactful the work is. Your efforts may seem futile when you constantly experience loss. That, of course, isn’t true. Oncology and terminally ill patients need and deserve compassionate, dignified care as much as anyone. If you’ve chosen this or a similar line of healthcare work, your reservoir of compassion may be tested, but your sense of purpose should never be.

Related Resource: What is a Hospice Nurse?

Compassion Fatigue From Lack of Support

Nurses — and all healthcare workers — who lacked peer support may be more likely to experience compassion fatigue than those with a strong, unified team. Your non-healthcare friends and spouse can be a nice escape from the trauma you witness at work, but you need your peers to process your grief and your confusion, because they know what you’re going through. Often, they’ve experienced the same thing themselves, and their support can sustain and even replenish your compassion when you feel drained.

Related Resource: How to Create a Healthy Work Environment in Nursing

Compassion Fatigue From Unstable Management

You’ll experience it at some point in any healthcare job: A manager you knew and loved leaves, and their replacement will be a manager who doesn’t know the role, the hospital, or the team as well. This kind of change is inevitable, and often it can ultimately be beneficial to staff, but the transition period puts more pressures on you and your coworkers. You may feel a lack of guidance and assistance, or just more tasks in addition to your normal duties. Either way, new management can stretch healthcare workers thin, at least for a few weeks, and in that time you’re more likely to experience fatigue.

Related Resource: Top 5 Qualities of a Great Nurse

Compassion Fatigue From Stress at Home

There will be times (like in periods of transition) when your work will be stressful, but this can be managed as long as you have time to recharge at home. If you don’t, or if your home life adds additional stress, this will exacerbate the normal challenges of working in healthcare, which can inhibit your ability to feel compassion. As a healthcare worker, you need to be able to separate the emotions you experience at work from those at home in order to continue working and living well. If you find yourself stressed even before you put on your scrubs, identify the cause at home, and address it.

Related Resource: 7 Life Hacks for Healthy Living as a Medical Professional

At 51cg, we know how important healthcare work is, so we strive to equip all of our graduates with the tools they need to succeed for the rest of their lives. Nurses and OTAs run on compassion, and it’s important that you are aware of how to protect it.

In just about every nursing specialty, you’re going to come across death, and part of learning to become a nurse is learning how to cope with loss. Whether you knew them for 15 minutes or 10 years, when patients die, it will be hard, sometimes painful, but it’s part of the job of being a nurse. As you gain years of experience, you’ll become better at managing your emotions and grief, but wherever you are in your nursing career, keep these pieces of advice in mind.

Nursing school requires a lot, so avoiding stress entirely just isn’t always realistic. Some days you have to accept the reality of nursing school stress, but you can always stress less, and sometimes defeat it entirely with a few techniques.

I think where most of us struggle is when we attempt to attain somebody else’s state of balance.

Think about it- your colleague works full time. She also has three children and is in school for her doctorate degree. And every year, she trains for and runs two marathons. Yikes! I am getting tired just thinking about this woman!!

And that is her “normal”. That is her state of balance.

Rather than compare to other people, think about what you can realistically do- and even more importantly- enjoy.

Quit comparing yourself to others and realize that balance is something each person is always aiming for. I think I actually really love the term balance because it is something that tells me that I do not have to be perfect all of the time.

And if you are still stressing about all of this work-life balance talk, let’s go through a few practical strategies to support the work-school-life-family-whatever-is-important-to-you-balance conundrum.

Here’s 3 Tips to Living a More “Balanced” Life

1. Say “No” More Often

Yup, I started out with the most difficult one first.

As nurses, we have a hard time saying “no”. There are so many reasons why this is, but I think that one of the biggest ones is our desire to help out.

Nurses are caring, giving people. If someone comes up to us and says, “Hey, can you…” most often our quick response (sometimes, without even thinking) is “Sure!”

We need to think before we speak! Saying “yes” to everyone else is saying “no” to us. It’s true. Think about it. When we are busy helping everybody else around us, we are often hurting ourselves. We wind up taking on too much and then working ourselves into the ground.

Want to say “yes” to someone? How about yourself!? When you say “no” to another person, you are actually saying “yes” to you, protecting your own time and space.

Now, we aren’t saying that you can’t be a team player. No way! You have to balance (no pun intended) your “yes” and “no” responses.

Maybe say “yes” to the overtime request this week… and next week, think before you speak, and say “yes” to yourself, turning down the overtime the following time it is offered.

2. Use a Bucketed Calendar System

Sometimes, it helps to be visual.

Think about your life in terms of buckets. You will have different ones than I do, but here are a few to get you started.

I have my work bucket, business bucket, family bucket, me-time/hobbies bucket, exercise bucket, and friend bucket. Then I have my calendar. Each week, before the rat race begins, I sit down and bucket my time out- ensuring that each area of my life receives at least some attention.

Now, if I have a big project that is due at work during a particular week, then that bucket may receive more time and attention. On the calendar, I may have a lot of items that pertain to that work project.

However, the following week and once the large project is over, I will ensure that my calendar gives more time and attention to my hobbies, exercise, or friend buckets.

So, first you need to think about your life. What buckets do you currently have? And how can you ensure that you calendar in time for each of these buckets over the course of a month?

If you’re current calendar is all work and no play- then, well… maybe just maybe you may need to revise. However, remember balance is highly individualized. So, your amount of time spent in work may be more than mine… and that is perfectly OK!

3. Enlist Help!

Yes, that is right. Ask for help. Another topic that does not always come easy for us nurses.

People come to us. We put on the brave face, never show weakness. Heck, I even got an email from a nurse just last week telling me how guilty he felt for having to leave work with a stomach virus.

Guess what… we are NOT superheroes! We are human beings. And human beings need help from time-to-time.

It is perfectly normal, even necessary, to ask for support.

And there are several ways to get help. You can pay for it- hiring people to do things around the house that you may not have time or desire for. You can delegate it- there you go, use those nursing skills. And you can work in teams- even around the house, asking family members to pitch in with items that you just don’t have time for.

One way I like to look at it is to separate my activities out into yes/no/maybe. Yes- I love doing it. No- I cannot stand it. Or maybe- I could leave it or take it.

Then, you look at each item and the no/maybe column you think about how you might seek out help for these tasks or activities.

Think about it in the workplace. During a code, do you do every single thing yourself? No way, that would be insane! A person could die if you tried to do it all alone. Can you think about the other tasks or activities in your life with just as much significance as that? It may seem silly, but it does not hurt to try.

51cg the Author: Keynote speaker and bestselling author, , partners with hospitals, nursing schools, and nurse associations to transform the field of nursing from the inside out. As the host of the Nurse’s Week ‘’ program, Elizabeth guides nurses and nursing students to a change in perspective, helping them make the inner shift needed to better maneuver the sometimes-challenging realities of being a caregiver.

Elizabeth received her dual master’s degree from Johns Hopkins University. She is also a certified coach and Reiki Master Teacher. Elizabeth lives in Maryland with her supportive husband and a playful pit bull.

Begin Your Balanced Journey at 51cg

Whether you’re beginning your healthcare journey with our ASN program, pursuing a 3 year BSN degree or accelerated BSN program, advancing through our RN to BSN program, or reaching higher with an MSN degree, we’ll help you maintain balance while achieving your goals. Start your well-balanced nursing education at our nursing school today.