Anyone working full time and going to school?

laughing weasel · Sep 9, 2004

I managed to make it through my first semester full time but it was rough. I do not know if I will be able to make it when the course gets tougher. My sister went through the course and said that the third semester is the hardest. (Peds) was the hardest section. Save what you can for if you decide to go part time, you can also challenge the test to become a CNA (at least in Texas) after your first semester/ you complete fundamentals of nursing. Go to dhs.state.tx.us for the competency evaluation program form. You can probably sub your states initials in for TX good luck with your school.

enfermeraSG · Sep 9, 2004

There are plenty of threads to find recently about this topic. It sounds like it is possible. I am in the same timeframe as you are, 3rd week or so of a 4 semester ADN program. The studying is endless, and I work full-time and have 3 children - two of which are older and involved in school activities of some sort. You have to learn to manage your time, and know that no matter how much you study you will always need to study more. (That was great advice from previous students!) I am still learning to manage my time! Good luck! SG

Trauma Columnist · Sep 9, 2004

I worked full-time nights and went to school full-time days while in school - and had two kids and a husband. However, my husband was extremely supportive - basically - I slept at the house but did nothing else - I was kinda like a bad house guest -lol. It can be done - but you don't want to repeat the experience! Good luck and please know that if you cut back either school or work - you'll still get finished! You have to take care of yourself first!

Tweety, BSN, RN · Sep 9, 2004

It can be done, but why kill yourself if you don't have to. Especially if you are going to a competitive school where grades are going to matter.

Good luck.

mlfp53 · Sep 9, 2004

It can be done, but why kill yourself if you don't have to. Especially if you are going to a competitive school where grades are going to matter.
Good luck.

It really can be done, don't get discouraged. I worked full time and did my pre-reqs 5 nights a week. Now that I'm in the nursing program I have cut my working hours back. I took an additional loan to fall back on in case the money from cutting my hours doesn't make it. Even though I cut my hours all the reading is stressing me out. In CSI (college of Staten Island) not only do you have to read there is a computer lab you need to utilize and you must sign in to prove you did the work, you have to have documented practice session in the college clinical lab and they insist you sign up for a study group. So all of this is really eating into my reading time! But if it is something you really want there are ways to make it work and eventually everything will fall into place. Good Luck!

kahumai, RN · Sep 9, 2004

Working full-time and going to nursing school CAN be done; just look at the thousands of nurses who have successfully done it.

However........

At least in my BSN program, there is NO WAY possible that anyone can work full-time. Right now I work one 8 hr. shift once per week and I think THAT is too much. I have been reading (Note: just "reading," not listening to lecture tapes, preparing for class, taking notes, etc.) an average of 40 hrs./week, and that doesn't include clinicals or going to all my classes. (That totals up to way more than a full-time job!) So what I'm trying to say is, it depends on your program. Essentially, you want to pass the course and graduate, right? Getting a "C" on a test doesn't mean the end of the world, but the tests do get harder and more difficult. A "C" is passing, but to me, it's too close to a "D" for comfort. Make sense? My suggestion would be to take your finanical aid loan money and run with it. You'll struggle for the next few years until you graduate, but it'll all be worth it. For now, just concentrate on learning your material and keeping your grades up; that's what's most important!!

Let us know what you decide to do! Good luck! :)

tiroka03, LPN · Sep 9, 2004

I also work full time, nights, and am going to school. I have one school aged child, who has special needs, and am a single mom. I got through LPN this way, and now am trying for my RN.

It's hard, but possible. Don't let one C on a test end your hopes for the future. You may need to learn to study differently, do some memory work, try a new method of inputing info into your brain.

I have many times used by kids or my cat as a class, while I explain to them in common sense language, what I have just reviewed. If my kid can't understand it, I need to go over things and rethink how to explain it. For me, this helps clarify the lessons, especially the more difficult things.

Another thing is to use a tape recorder. Take yourself through the lesson by questions. Then replay the tape a couple of times. It helps as a memory tool for me to learn meds and names of people and their contributions to medicine.

Good Luck:)

hypnotic_nurse · Sep 9, 2004

I worked full time and went to school full time with 2 kids, post divorce, and graduated with As and Bs. I also have to add that I am a very good student, like school, and like studying -- and I usually don't have to read something more than once to get it.

School and work can be done if you feel that you must. You might ask if you can cut your hours and still get insurance -- some places will let you keep it with as little as 24 hours a week.

deannak · Sep 9, 2004

Well I made the decision today to quit my job. Very had decision but I feel so much better! I am the type of person that I have to study more than just on my days off and thats pretty much all I was getting done. Now I will have more time to study and I am still going to get a part time job to help me out. I think I was stressing out more about what my mom would say than about actually quitting...lol.. i'm just not going to tell her for awhile..lol. Anyway..thanks for all the advice and now that the first test is out of the way. I hope I will be fine!

mariedoreen · Sep 9, 2004

Well I made the decision today to quit my job. Very had decision but I feel so much better! I am the type of person that I have to study more than just on my days off and thats pretty much all I was getting done. Now I will have more time to study and I am still going to get a part time job to help me out. I think I was stressing out more about what my mom would say than about actually quitting...lol.. i'm just not going to tell her for awhile..lol. Anyway..thanks for all the advice and now that the first test is out of the way. I hope I will be fine!

I'm glad you feel so much better! I'm guessing that was a significant stress off of your shoulders. If you can make it financially without working full time, then I agree... why not? Things may not be as easy money-wise as you would like over the next two years... but there is an end in sight to that. The important thing is to take care of yourself and provide yourself with the time needed to focus on your school work. Good luck to you!:wink2:

cherokeesummer · Sep 9, 2004

I've worked full time since I graduated high school (worked part time during high school) and have been going to college since then. Got my undergrad degree in Psych before going to nursing school. I feel like I've been going forever!!!!

But back to nursing school, I was hoping to be able to work part time for a change but turns out I didn't get any scholarships adn I can't get any loans so I have to work full time and pay my tuition. Also the regular household bills b/c Hubby is laid off. But what I try to do is make myself read at every chance: lunch breaks, traffic, dr.'s office visits, etc. I carry the heavy book everywhere! Also make yourself do some reading at night and weekends. :):)