Yes, it's possible to go to nursing school and work full time...

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For those who are working full time and going to school full time...

How are you managing it? Are you getting help? Is it a struggle? How are your grades?

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I just graduated from nursing school in May. I had a part time job (~25 hours a week) throughout my first three semesters, and then got a second part time job during my last semester (a total of about ~42 hours a week combined!). It wasn't easy, but it was definitely doable. I graduated with a 3.75ish nursing GPA, but it was definitely because both of my jobs were extremely flexible and understanding. My school doesn't recommend that students work more than 12 hours a week, but hey, there were some of us that actually need to work in order to pay for rent, food and bills! Good luck!

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Specializes in Hospice.
BostonTerrierLoverRN said:
I did it 9 years ago, from ADN, and MSN- and my best advice is coffee, 3 alarm clocks, and the rest I plead the 5th- but it can be done.

I would also have to give TONS of credit to my wife who also worked 40 hour weeks going to get her AS-MSW. I couldn't have done it without her, and she didn't even laugh at me when she caught me in the shower with my socks on before I realized it.

Life Happens!

:redbeatheBoston

AWESOME. :yes:

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After hearing so many of your stories, nursing school does not seem so scary :) Thank god I'm only working part-time! I would really love to quit my job and concentrate on my studies after I get accepted but I can't. I definitely feel better now! Thanks!! :)

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As others have stated, these are great stories! I am planning work part-time during NS. I am fortunate to have a supportive husband with a decent job, but his income is not enough to cover ALL expenses, so I will keep on truckin', driving my POS car for the next few years and probably living without cable/internet once nursing school starts to reduce expense. Luckily our library is a lovely 10 minute stroll from home.

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I will work during lpn school. There are things I like to do like eat and have lights while I'm studying. I've discussed it with my manager, and I'll be working weekends with the minimum hours to keep my benefits. It'll be hard, but I know I can do it, and do well in my classes.

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I'm 29, a single mom with a 12 year old child, and I work full time as an accountant. I'm in my second semester of school, 1st semester of nursing classes (last semester was just English and math), and working on my ADN. I signed up for 13 credit hours for this semester and am already kicking myself for it. It's exhausting. I am concerned as to how I will survive financially when I start clinical because my school only holds clinical during morning/early afternoon and spreads it out over 4 weekdays per week. It will be impossible to keep my current job and near impossible to work full time. I figure I have a year to save and prepare for that. It's gonna be rough, but I'm sure it will be worth it in the end.

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i know some that they go to school and only work part time

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It is very possible! I am 2 semesters away from completing a BSN program and have worked full time all the way through. I will admit that I pretty much don't have any time for anything besides school and work. But for me, I have no other option but to work. I have managed to only make one B (very touchy topic lol) and the rest A's. Unfortunately, many nights I may only get 3 hours of sleep. For me, the key has been my ability to study efficiently. There are students in the program who study many more hours then I am able to but get consistent B's. The trick is to figure out how you learn best and to study that way! You can read all the chapters for a test but if you don't understand what you read because you had trouble focusing then you wasted your time. Other people learn best by re-listening to the lectures or making flash cards. If you are going to work and go to school you must have a plan. I break my entire week down by the hour and have goals for things that need to get done each day. I am nowhere near the smartest person in the program, but I am one of the hardest working. Don't feel that a full time job and school can't be done because you aren't some super genius. You just have to ask yourself "how bad do you want it?" And what are you willing to sacrifice to get it. Best of luck!

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Wow! Congratulations! You did it!!!!! I am just starting my journey. I just started the accelerated LPN Program and I'm working 4 days a week as a CNA. I feel overwhelmed but taking it "ONE DAY AT A TIME". I'm going to cut down to 3 days a week soon.

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I'm married and went back to school after 16 years of nursing. I thought I could self fund an online program, my family with 4 children (2 teens and 2 in elem. school), my household and a full time job. I was terribly wrong! Somewhere along the line things got terribly bad: I have to repeat a failed course because I missed a deadline by two days due to work forced overtime and stress; got 0% on the final paper worth 20% of my course, which dropped my grade to a D, otherwise a solid 95% A. I begged the school and explained my situation, but they refused to make a precedent. I went to complain to my employer about the overtime and my situation, there was no tuition support from them, I asked to be switched to part time but they refused, and I ended up being fired. I took it to court but wasn't able to prove that I was discriminated against, and since employers can fire you at will, the lawyers don't have any serious ammunition to protect a client unless there's obvious reasons of discrimination by age, gender, religion, etc. I didn't have funds to pay for better lawyers, my case was a "grey area" case, and here I am, at 46, without a job and with my school unfinished and in debt. I feel hopeless, because I don't know which way to go. Should I get in more debt to finish my school, or start with any other job not of my choice, and put my school on hold until God knows when? I am done with 2/3rds of my program, 5 courses away from the finish line, but yet so far away!

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I started Chamberlain May4,2016. I am in 8 week courses. I just moved to the Chicago area from Phx, my boyfriend was suppose to support me throughout my journey at Chamberlain thats the sole purpose of me moving. But it hasnt worked out that way, I have to now work full time I have a 5 year old daughter and I am full time student. Everyone from my supervisor at the hospital to my advisor at school tells me I wont be able to work full time. But I have too!! no other way around it, as I was searching for inpsiring quotes and pick me ups I came across your post and it made me smile and made me believe that it is possible! thank you spanky13

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God bless you. I am sitting here wondering how I am going to get through this. I work for a construction company in NYC and so my work hours are 7:00am to 4:00/4:30p. I have to wake up at 4am because my commute to and from work/school is over 2 hours. Yesterday I got home after 11:00pm and I am dead tired today. I needed some motivation because I was starting to question if it was even doable. Your story has reassured me. Without having a supportive family, I imagine it would be very hard to complete a nursing degree. Fortunately, my husband is also my biggest cheerleader as well! Congratulations to you, hope you are now working as a licensed RN. Thank you for sharing your story CT Pixie!

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