First day reality check

Nursing Students General Students

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So today, I sat in my very first nursing class all fresh faced and ready to rock. And then my professors drop the bomb- "those of you who try and work full time will be the ones who do not make it in this program." They were perfectly nice about it, but I totally froze. I have a full time job that, for financial and insurance reasons, I HAVE to keep at full time. I don't want to fail out, because I've worked so hard to get here, but I also can't afford to not pay my bills.

So for those of you who are/have been in this situation- advice? Words of wisdom? How did you pull it off- or not pull it off?

Thanks for all the advice! I do feel it can be done and I don't mind working hard. I'm just afraid of failing out. I did work full time the past two years while doing my prerequisites, but this is made to sound so much more impossible.

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I think that "fear of failing out" is what will keep u in the game. Sometimes we have to have that kick to make sure we make the most of every spare second to study. My advice (even though its months too late , someone may read this), is to try your hardest to START strong. Those 1st few tests, study your butt off. Bc its so much easier to keep a good grade then it is to bring up a bad grade. If you have to choose where to put the most effort in, definately try to at the beginning of each semester/class. And yeah working is too much for some people, but most of my graduating class worked ft amd had kids so its possible. Its all about how much you want it! Hope its going great!! This time will FLY! Just commit for this short time in ur life. Itll make the rest alot easier. Congrats!!

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I have worked full-time since I began nursing school and was pretty much told the same thing. I am here to tell you it can be done. I have made all A's with the exception of one B (missed an A by less than a point). Time management is key. Don't let anyone tell you you can't. Good luck!!

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Specializes in Psych, LTC/SNF, Rehab, Corrections.

I worked 32-40 hours a week as a nurse aide. LTC and homehealth.

I made good grades...because I understood the material and read the passages.

Some people can't. Some people can.

To each according to their own ability.

If you can? Get a HH job when/if you get your CNA. You'll have plenty of time to study.

'Don't work'? It's a precaution and they're right to warn people. It's all fine and good until you hit Med Surg and Pharm. Your classmates are gonna start dropping like flies....

We did them concurrently which, imo, is only a good idea 'in theory'.

I did well on Med Surg. First test? Fluid Balance. I couldn't visualize what the chapters were talking about so I didn't really understand. LOL I earned a 92, though.

What saved me? Mnemonics.

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Just don't work on your clinical days so you can stay up all night doing care plans and you should be ok.

Also, it's important to study the material that matters. The books are full of material you really don't need to know since we're not going to med school or pharm school. Learn the stuff pertaining to what nurses actually do on the job. Leave the rest out.

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I am currently working full time and going to school. I also got the speech about people who work will not do well. What works for me, time management! I make time for studying and all the other clinical paperwork. My job has been able to work around my schedule and that helps a lot. If you have the will you will make it! Keep your head up and best of luck for the future!

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