Full-time w/ dreams...

daisey_may · Oct 3, 2007

For me, my RN-BSN is mostly online, which I found working a lot of hours easy to work around. But, if you have class time or clinical time that you need to do, then it may be beneficial for you to cut back your hours at work. It will definitely depend on how much of a work load you will be able to take on.

And maybe you can talk to you supervisor now about some options for you. I'm sure other employees and/or supervisor have received their BSN and may be able to give you some advice, especially specific for the area that you live in. If you're not going to be in school for a year, otherwise I wouldn't wait later than the summer of next year, when you will probably be signing up for classes, to address work and school issues with your supervisor.

amberfnp · Oct 3, 2007

Hi Punkstar. Congrats on you new job! I too worked in the ED as a new grad and went on to get my BSN. I did my RN through a diploma program, did some pre-reqs at a community college and did a BSN program that was primarily online/blackboard with meetings once per month. This school was 1 hour from home and they had our meetings locally.

I worked FT at my job at an ambulatory surgery center and prn in the ED while going to school. I did have a lot of late nights with a few papers and projects, but feel that it is definately do-able if you find the right program. The classes, at least in this program, were focused on theory, research, management and community health. We did have one physical assessment class but it was more of a review where we proved our knowledge by practicing on each other in class or did "assessments" on our family and turned in a competed checklist. The only "clinical" was to shadow a nurse manager for 1 week/40 hours.

If other BSN programs are similar in course content, an online program would probably work well for you and then you limit the time you need to go to actual "classes". That is if you can be disciplined enough to get the work done on your own! It was nice having my school only an hour away "just in case" I needed anything. However, with exception of the bookstore, I never needed to go beyond the orientation days.

Re: being a new grad in the ED...I started in a labor pool position, so it took me quite a while to get comfortable! It has been 5 years now and there are still a lot of things I have not done or have only done a few times or less. Just about everytime I go to work there, I learn something new. That is what I like best about it. In addition to the ACLS, PALS, TNCC, ENPC you will probably have to do , if your hospital offers any critical care classes or CEN review classes, take them! I am still plugging away at some of them simply because I can't always get the time off from my FT job.

Well, hope some of that helps you. Good Luck!

allnurses Guide · Oct 3, 2007

I've been a nurse for 9 years and just started a new job in an ER. I am also going back to school for my BSN.

I took the job, which is part time at 48 hours a pay period. I informed the ER manager that I was going back to school for my BSN and he was very supportive. The hospital encourages it.

I know I couldn't work full time and go to school and be available to my family. I'm determined to never work full time anyway.

Wish you the best!

steph

Katnip, RN · Oct 3, 2007

I don't recommend going to school full time and working full time. Like others said, online programs are your best bet if you're working full time. You'll save time in the commute alone.

SarasotaRN2b · Oct 3, 2007

I would check into online programs. St. Petersburg College in St. Pete, FL has an online program for RN-BSN. Two of the nurses I work with just started the program which is about 18 months. They take one class at a time for about 5-6 weeks, and then go to the next class. While you are out of state, you might still be able to do it. NO CLASSROOM attendance is required at all.

Kris