Full time work, full time school, or both?

HeritageRN · Aug 9, 2008

Goozgog,

Hello, I hope to be there with you at Bound in December. I am in sort of the same position as you and if you don't mind I will share my thoughts.

I have been a postpartum nurse for over 4 years, this last year I have been working at a free standing birth center. I was also thinking that it would be beneficial for me to go to L&D and I have applied to several places. This thought is running face into a brick wall and so I have decided to follow my intuition to stay where I am at the birth center (the type of birthing environment I want to support) and protect my belief in childbirth.

As far as working full time and going to school full time with children. I have heard from other students going to Frontier that going full time is intense. You can choose part time now and then change to full time if you find that you have the time to do it, but I have heard that if you choose full time now you cannot back off to part time later. I have two children so I will be choosing part time.

I wish you the best in your decision.

mom2michael, MSN, RN, NP · Aug 10, 2008

I went from the ER to L&D to get some of that so called experience before applying to Frontier (though it's not required) just so I would at least know I got the experience. I don't regret it. There are MANY things about my job that makes me crazy but there are some simply awesome things about my job that keeps the faith in childbirth and women and I feel so blessed and honored to be a part of this experience. So, while many will say L&D and/or OB is not necessary - that is really going to be up to you and what you feel you need. For me, I needed to make *sure* that being a Midwife was what I wanted, the L&D job has shown me that it is.

I do have a disclaimer here - I work in OB and I do not do strictly L&D - I also do nursery and postpartum so that helps me "keep my faith".

As far as full time/part time - according to my friend who is the only source of info I have, she works full time, goes part time and is drained. Not exhausted, head barely above water drained, but she is tired and said it's pretty intense. She really wanted to do full time and quickly changed her mind after her first term and is sticking with part time. She too has to work as long as possible.

I second the idea of doing part time and going full time at a later date. I too am under the impression you can't go backwards in that status change.

Your first term regardless if you are full or part time is the same for every single person and it's 2 classes, so that is going to give you a really good idea of your balance between work and school. If you opt for full time you will take 3 classes each term (after #1) part time takes 2 classes.

For me it will be part time. I would LOVE to quit my job and just go to school full time but I too need the $$$ and insurance (husband is self employed) so it will never be an option.

Selke · Aug 10, 2008

Most if not all Frontier students have to work through school from financial necessity so you are not alone. Many do work full time, although it works best to have flexibility with your job so you can cut down to part time or per diem or work fewer hours when you have exams and things due. I worked my way through as a travel nurse; there are others I've met who do this too. Working 3 12's is full time and gives you 4 days off a week to study. This seems to be what many students do. Some students luck out and have jobs, maybe on nights, where they are not too busy and can study. You want to be able to NOT WORK, however, if/when you get to level IV (clinicals). There are classes to complete believe it or not (I hear they are changing this requirement to have coursework completed prior to Level IV, although I'm not sure how this will work, i.e. add an extra term or what) and the students who have to work, do classes, and do clinical are dying from exhaustion. It is easier to work through levels I & II. So if you can save your money or take out loans for that last level, you will be better off.

Belinda-wales, RN · Aug 10, 2008

I will be attempting to work full time and study full time with frontier is there anyone who is doing this that can give me some tips. I know it is going to be hard but I have no option unless I leave my Job which I do not want to do at this time so fingers crossed I can survive.

Goozgog · Aug 10, 2008

Thank you all so much for your feedback. It is so nice to talk to people who can understand my dilemma!

I am interested in working at the one and only free standing birthing center in my area but first I would need my NRP...according to my hospitals website, you need to be in L&D to qualify. I could probably email them and see if I can get in anyway. I just haven't tried yet. My preceptor actually works at the birthing center and I can get most of my clinicals there from what I understand.

Hmmm, two classes ehe? First term. Let's think, I will start L&D in Sept which gives me three months until school starts. Then, 1 term is 12 weeks correct? So that gives me 6 months into L&D. Then, if I go full time that will give me another 6 months (2 terms) to get my butt kicked. Maybe I should go part time. Like you both said, I can always switch to full time later. UUGGGGHHH! I want I want I want to be a midwife now! My preceptor told me to take my time and take it easy. I guess I should listen to her and both of you. It makes more sense in my world too. :sniff:

I heard somewhere that if you hear the same thing from three people, you can take it as a sign that someone is trying to get your attention.

On the bright side, if you get in Heritage, we can study together and travel together maybe...

I love this site

Thank you all for the clarity.