I have also heard that the role of the nurse has changed heaps over the years, and its definately not just focused on things like changing bedpans, or even making beds (which they dont do at all anymore).
I'm really happy to do nursing first, as I want to be able to have experience in a wider area... we get to choose electives anyway such as 'Introduction to Nursing Children and Childbearing Families' and 'Family and Community Nursing', as well as Mental Health, and heaps of other interesting areas...
I'm actually loving my nursing course and finding it really, really interesting!

As for timetables, maybe its different here in Qld, but I know people that have managed to fit a fulltime uni timetable into 3 days per week (not including clinical placement of course though). Though I dont imagine that would be the case for all semesters - though I'm sure most could be done in 4 days/week.
I am doing a reduced FT load this semester (3 subjects) and only have 2 contact days, plus one lecture on a different evening, but I dont need childcare for that day.