I'm Tired of Being Told That I Can't Work and Attend Nursing School Simultaneously

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I am currently a CNA who has been accepted into LPN school, which starts next month. I am thrilled beyond belief. However, ever since my acceptance, I have been hearing from former students and nursing teachers who tell me that I should not work at all during the program because the program will take up all of my time outside of school. (I guess that nursing students should say "goodbye" to SO's and kids for the year, too.) I also see posts from other nursing students on this site who are told the same thing.

For the record, if I could take nearly a year off from work in order to devote myself fully to the program, I would. However, I am a single parent who doesn't have parents, grandparents, a boyfriend or wealthy friends I could move in with, or borrow living expenses from. My rent, utilities, and food expenses, for instance, still have to be paid during the program (which ends next June), and this is the same for other students in my LPN program. I realize that other students in the past may have had some issues with working while in school, but it doesn't mean that all students will not be able to work while attending nursing school. In fact, I know of a few LPNs who graduated from my program who worked full-time during the program. Of course, I am told that they are the exception. Well, maybe I will be an exception as well.

I know that the warnings about working are based on past students' problems, but when I keep hearing about it, it discouraged me somewhat, like they expected me to fail. However, I have decided to embrace the warning, and prove people wrong when I finally become a nurse next year. It just really irks me when people say no nursing student should ever work during school, that they will drop out, for example, when I read of nurses on this site who have done it.

Specializes in Pediatrics.

If you don't have a choice then you do what you gotta do. Don't let everyone else bring you down. It is not ideal to work, it is also not idea to be married with 2 kids while in school, which is my situation. Ideal or not you can do it. Just keep up the good work and show everyone that you can beat the odds!

I agree with you 100%!!

I would love to get rid of all my obligations and go to school full time.

Good luck!!

Sandy

Hey there are people who go through NS raise kids families and hold down a job.

If they can do it why cant you?

See how it works out for the first semester, if youre managing, the good news is youre halfway through!

Plant that positive seed, you got the drive, now go for it kiddo.

When the going gets tough, look at the little one ..theyre going to be your motivation to keep going.

Good luck

Sincerely

NS and full time emergency room coordinator

Lets start a new trend, kick butt, and take names!

Specializes in Pediatrics.

Those of us that have families and tons of other responsibilities need to bond together and support one another.

I literally wanna pull my hair out when I am sitting in a class and have to listen to the younger students whine about how hard it is to get all their schoolwork done because of their busy social lives. Seriously.. they have no idea.. Just the guilt alone that I have to live with because I am not spending as much time with my kids as I usually do.. It just eats me alive.. Oh to be carefree.. but yet.. I wouldn't change a thing about my life.

Specializes in Med/Surg.

I am currently in a BSN program and am a senior. If you really think that you can possibly pass your classes and work full time and take care of your kids then I'm sorry to say that you are delusional. In my program I usually get home around 4 and do homework till 10 or 11 at night and have to be at school around 630-800Am the next morning. Working on the weekends is possible yes, but full-time and being successful-unlikely.

Specializes in Pediatrics.

Way to bring down the positive vibes.

It is kind of hard for you to tell someone that they can't accomplish something when you do not know them or the height of their ambition.

Did you read her whole post? She is in LPN school for one thing and that is different than a BSN.

Specializes in General adult inpatient psychiatry.

I think the reason why this myth often comes up is because classes are so time consuming and you need a job that can be flexible with you if things come up. Unless you can work nights/evenings or weekends, it really is hard to get it all done. If your schedule says you're in class from 9-5 Monday through Friday, that limits your availability. That being said, if you think you can do it, don't listen to the nay-sayers. Choose your own path and take it with dedication. Keep up with your schoolwork and don't look back. I think nursing school is definitely harder when working and although I didn't work full-time this past school year (I'm going to be entering my 2nd year of NS in a BSN program), I would definitely like to try to work doubles on weekends so I can focus on school-work during the week. I think working as a CNA or in a hospital as a student nurse definitely allows for some flexibility and you just need to know how to balance your time and not put things off. Know how to ask for help and if you find yourself really struggling, ask yourself, "Is it because I'm working all the time?" Good luck!

Specializes in Med/Surg.

Those are different things? Thanks so much for the info! :yeah:This is a website for people to share what they think. I think it is more helpful to be told a truthful answer so this woman can plan accordingly, perhaps taking out more student loans to cover hours of work she will be missing. Perhaps become a unit secretary where there is more downtime (the secretarys on our unit often do hw).

Specializes in Pediatrics.

Personally I don't consider calling anyone "delusional" helpful in any way.

Thats just me though.

And see.. you did post some helpful ideas in your second post!

From my experience LPN programs are more time intensive than RN programs. Typically you go from Mon-Fri 8-4 then have to come up with time to study. That doesnt leave a lot of extra time, perhaps working some doubles on the weekend but I cannot see how someone would work 40 hours with that schedule.

It can always be done, but it wont be easy and I will go on to say it will not be healthy. I worked part time when I was in my RN program, about 28-30 hours a week but again my RN program was only 4 days a week probably for a total of about 20-25 hours a week.

Being a CNA will give you a significant advantage especially with the basics, so I guess it is doable. Good luck.

Sometime there are no options but to just do it. Loans and grants are not an option for everyone. It takes lots more work and more flexability with work and home life but it can be done.

I will support everyone who is trying to make a better life for themselves and their families by going to NS and working full time.

It is going to be very hard for her, but it can be done.

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