Any nurses out there?!!

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katia

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Hiya,

Ok so I'm due to start a nursing degree this September and I just wanted to know is it possible to do this and do justice to two horses? I know I shall be ok while at uni but then I know I will be working all hours of the day night etc when on placement.

I guess I'm just panicking now as I really want to do the courses but I don't want to do it at the expense of my horses,

So has anyone done it, doing it or are qualified and managing?

Thanks, Kat.x
 
I work at a hospital, but am not a nurse.

Most nurses work shifts, 3 12 hours shifts day 2/3 days off and then 3 12 hours night (as far as I can tell).

Being honest, you may be able to do the horse care during the week and do your uni work, but it may be difficult with the riding.

The good part is that unis have lots of holidays.

Sorry I cant help you further.
 
Thanks for your reply! Nursing students don't get uni holls they only get a set number of weeks. I guess I'll just have to "suck it and see"!! My partner will kill me but I reckon I will jack it in if I cant fit the horses in!! My aim is to just bank nurse when I qualify so I work when I want to!lol
 
I did the course, with two horses, but it half killed me tbh. I had to rely on full livery a lot of the time. If you have a good buddy to help you it may be ok. Don't expect to get much done with your horses apart from the basics though. It's a great course, but one of the highest intensity of hours of any course. I loved it, it was worth it, but honestly, never again!

Jo x
 
no uni holidays - that sucks!

Suck it and see, its the only way.

I know what you mean about not fitting horses in, for me, its horses before all.

Would you consider a sharer?

Bank nurses coin it in, good for you, I hope you manage to juggle everything successfully.

I hope it all works out. Try to do it if you can.

(You know as a student, you will get all the glamourous jobs)
 
LOL hb6 yeah I 'mquite aware of the 'glamourous jobs'! I'd much rather be dealing with poop of the equine variety!lol

Jojobah, are you working now as a nurse then?How are you finding it? I have got a couple of good friends who will help, I hate 'putting on' people though, although one is currently without a ride and so will probably gladly help if theres extra riding in it for her!
Thanks for your replies,
Kat.xx
 
I'm a student midwife. It can be done, you may have to get someone to bring in or turn out depending on your shifts but it is do-able. My lecturers said that having a horse is a good thing as they are great stress relievers and your whole life can't just revolve around your course. You will be far better at being a nurse if you have an outlet. I just got up earlier to ride etc before uni and yes I was tired at times but I'm managing.
 
OOOH now thats more of what I wanted to hear Lavender!lol I know it will be tough but if theres a will there's a way! Oh dear, i'm full of the old sayings tonight aren't I?!lol
 
Hiya Katia,
I'm a nurse (check out time of posting lol!) and have been nursing for over 30 years. Have had my own horse for most of that time.
It can be done easily enough, I know lots of nurses who have horses (was wondering if there was a connection with the caring attitude)
I even managed to fit in a masters degree and continue compete with the horse, so it just needs a bit of dedication and time management.
You will need to depend on other people for help with turnout/bring-in, but I find it works quite well.
Most places do 12 hour shifts now, which means that you won't be able to ride on the days that you are working, but the plus side is that you will get lots of days off during the week to ride when it is quiet. (no more fighting for a slot in the arena or with your instructor, can always be there for the farrier etc)
Nightshift is pretty hellish, but you get used to it.
Hope you enjoy your career in healthcare.
One saying of wisdom for you..."never assume"
Never assume anything and you will do all right. Make assumptions and you will make mistakes and come to grief.
Best of luck hun.
 
Aww thanks for your post mintaka, I knew there would be a nurse lurking on here somewhere!,
Thankyou,
Kat.x
 
[ QUOTE ]
It can be done easily enough, I know lots of nurses who have horses (was wondering if there was a connection with the caring attitude)

[/ QUOTE ]

I thought this too, I work in a care home and most of the (English) carers have horses!

To the OP - I'm not a nurse but I do 4 X 12 hour night shifts a week, and it fits in beautifully with the horse, so you may find like I do that it's easier when you're doing nights. I go straight to the yard from work, turn out/muck out, go home and sleep, and then ride in the evenings if I'm not working again.

If there's an important competition/farrier/vet etc it's quite easy to stay awake for most of the day as well.

Good luck with all that studying
smile.gif
 
Im a nurse- I work in a GP practice now so pretty much 9-5 mon to fri - but I recently did an MSc and managed, with 2 small children and 3 horses... I had a horse also when I worked in hospital doing shifts- in some ways thats better because you get to ride before/after work and have days off midweek etc.- in winter now its pretty much weekends or in the area on evenings....it can be done, it justt takes planning and occasionally having people to put out/bring in for you...go for it...If you are working and studying hard you need the escape that horse can bring you, whether its a gallop after work or just quiet time mucking out - GOOD LUCK - if I can be of any help, PM me
laugh.gif
 
Thankyou Diablosgold, and thankyou Poppymoo. I too have two children, 8 and 3, so they were a concern too! I guess I'll probably find it harder to fit my daughters riding in more than my own then? Its true, just being at the yard even if I'm not riding is the best stress reliever, I think I'd go mad without it!

I'm sure I'll need your advice before long Poppymoo, Thankyou,
Kat.x
 
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