Is it possible to work full time and go to nursing school?

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I am seriously considering starting nursing school but after reading some of these threads I am wondering "is it possible to work full time and do well in nursing school?". I am generally a quick learner, many times I'm one of those that hardly studies but still gets a good grade (not bragging, just trying to paint the picture). I own my home and have all the bills that come along with that, so is it possible???

Specializes in Critical Care; Cardiac; Professional Development.

Others have done it. It is not easy. Clinicals generally are only during the day. And all the things that have made you a good student before will indeed be part of what makes you a good nursing student, but there is a lot more to it than just that. Most nursing students are overwhelmed by the volume of work required on top of the academic level it is at. Nursing exams are like none you have ever seen before.

Proceed with caution and come up with plan B, C and D if you are unable to work and still make the cut. Most people cannot work full time, but you will find those who have. They are who you need to really get the down and dirty truth from.

Specializes in ICU.

Yes, many here have, just know that work comes second to school. You'll need to be in a job that's willing to work around your school and clinical schedule which, depending on your program, may change every semester. A lot of employers may not be willing to do that for thier full time employees.

I am in term 3 of NS and I work FT (plus occassional OT!). I attend an EVE/WE program at my school. The clinicals are only on the weekend. This term it is 12 hr Saturdays for my clinical instructor, but the other clinical instructor does 6 hr days both Sat and Sun. I had that kind of schedule for my med/surg I rotation and it can wear you out!

I have my 17 yo do all the housework and occasional grocery run. I am not picky about the "tidiness" of my home all the time....I just do what I can.

Like you, I learn easily. That gift has enabled me to do this! Like you, I own my home and have too many bills not to work. I will graduate in Aug! :yeah:

Good luck to you!!!! :D

Specializes in Critical Care; Cardiac; Professional Development.

FLMom, it is AWESOME there is a program on nights/weekends near you! It is almost unheard of in this part of the country!

OK for the nay sayers out there, it is possible to work full time and go to nursing school full time (GPA 3.87). I will be graduating (on time) in December and I have worked a minimum of 36 hours per week all the way up to 50 hours per week. Mortgages, bills, food, and water aren't free! I barely get enough unsubsidized student loans to cover tuition and books let alone to help with anything else. My husband and I both work and attend school full time and honestly we make ok money. The only way to keep our excellent credit and no debt other than the house is to work full time.

I live in southeastern Wisconsin and attend a technical college. My theory classes are online and clinicals are 1 day a week 1st semester with 1 day of skills, 2nd semester is 2 days of clinical, 3rd semester is 2 days of clinical, one month off of clinical, and 2 hours a week for skills. Totally doable for those of us who work. (in case you are wondering I am a student nurse intern in the emergency department and I work 3 12's right now)

If you have the drive and determination, you can accomplish anything. If you want to be a nurse that bad you will make it work, your house may be kind of dirty for awhile, you husband may have to learn to fend for himself, and you might just have to give up nap time, but I'm telling you it is worth it! :nurse:

Specializes in Med/Surg.
FLMom, it is AWESOME there is a program on nights/weekends near you! It is almost unheard of in this part of the country!

At the local community college in my state, they offer both a full time day and a part time nights/weekends program. Seems like a good fit for those who have obligatory full time jobs!

To the OP-- good luck moving forward in your decision; I will say that I only know one person in my program (full time BSN) who works 40+ hours and is succeeding, but this proves that it can be done.

I did it. It wasn't easy at all, but it was worth it. I worked full time nights and when to school part time. I got all my prereqs out of the way and then applied to the cc nursing program. It is much easier if you don't have kids and you have a job where they are easy going about schedule changes each semester.

Good luck!

Yes.

If you want this, you'll do whatever it takes. I work 40 hrs per week and in my 2nd semester of RN school. My saving grace is the fact that I have all of the general ed couses out of the way. All I am taking is RN classes...so technically I'm a part time RN student. You may have to change jobs to get into a role that allows flexible scheduling...I had to leave a stable IT career at a college to accomidate school.

Doing it right now. I suggest you do a search of the forum there a many many posts about working and going to school.

I did it and don't ask me how it was done.... But you have to do what you have to do. I had no choice to work parttime so I worked full time and went to school full time. Working in an hospital allows your to have a flex schedule.

I am doing it too, but often times I wonder how I am doing it. I work full time all day Monday through Friday. I go to clinicals Mon and Tues evening. I have class Thursday evening. I am also taking co-requisite courses and have 3 children. I am in my 5th of 6 semesters and so far I have had all A's and B's. This is truly one of the most difficult things I have done in my life but I am determined to make it work.

I agree that you should have a plan B as nursing school should be the top priority. I do social work and I have meetings, etc, at work that are not flexible, but I have been lucky to have things not interfere. My plan B was that if my job would not be flexible I would find a tech job in a hospital where they would be flexible and give me good experience.

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