How many of you work full time? How do you handle it?

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I completed my first year of the nursing program, leaving me with just one year (2 semesters) left. The first year I didnt work at all and I think this was the reason that I didnt struggle when it came to academics.

But now, I desperately need extra money and I highly doubt that working part time is going to help me out with my financial situation, so I've been looking into jobs that require 32 or 36 hours per week (32 hours is full time at this particular facility).

I particularly want to hear from parents because I am a single parent myself, so I know this is only going to make it harder for myself.

So my question is: for those of you who work full time and are in the nursing program full time how are you handling it? Do you feel it is doable or is it stressing you out?

Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

Although I am not a parent, I will go ahead and share my experiences. My former roommate was a parent, so I have also shared some of her experience with attending school while maintaining employment.

I was an LPN/LVN who graduated from an RN completion program last year and I worked full-time throughout school. I worked 32 hours per week (two 16 hour weekend double shifts at a nursing home every Saturday and Sunday as an LVN while attending school during the week). My roommate was/is a single mother to a child under the age of 10, and she did the exact same thing as me. Her mother and sister watched her son while she attended school.

My grades did not suffer. Even though I was working 32 hours, I still had Monday through Friday off, so I could focus on school during the week.

Thanks for that info!

Actually that's the same type of situation I'm looking at. I have Saturday, Sunday, and Mondays free, so I was hoping to be able to put all of my working hours into those three days and focus on school the rest of the week.

I worked full time, I went to school full time, and I was a full time wife and mother! I am super women!!! It was called "sleep" what's that never heard of it!!

Doable, persistence, ambitous!!

Having a solid support system is essential.

Specializes in PD,Nxstage,hemo.

You can do it. I'm a single parent, with no support system mon-thurs. I'm not in the nursing program yet but I can tell you this: I've taken 3 classes at a time online, work 40hrs a week, soccer practice every week, cubscouts every week, helping son with homework everyday etc...It is very doable if you are serious and really want it. I know SEVERAL Nurses who are single parents that had to work full time while they where in RN school and they did....wasnt easy but they are RN's today.

Specializes in Geriatrics, Spinal cord injuries.

I worked two jobs throughout nursing school due to financial neccessity. I have two children, a five yr old and a three yr old. I worked an average of 50-60 hours per week. Passed RN school with solid grades and never had to repeat a semester.

I am a single mother who works 40 to 44 hrs a week...and I am in my first semester of nursing school. I try to be as organized as possible and flashcards (although time consuming to make) are a Godsend...I take them to work with me every night. I try not to get behind in the reading...I lack sleep..but where there's a will there is a way! How bad do you want it? You can do it many others have and if they can, you can: )

Thanks everybody!

I actually have an interview next Friday for a PCA position on a cardiopulmonary step down unit. The job is 32 hrs per week. Hopefully I get it because I definitely need the money and more direct patient contact.

I don't have a support system here (other than the few people I've befriended since moving here) but I'm sure that I'll be able to pull through this.

Thanks for the responses!

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