Who works and goes to school full time?

Editorial Team / Admin · Nov 11, 2013

I currently work a full time job that requires 2-3 16-hour shifts of primary call plus another 2-3 2-hour blocks of back up call. The 2-hour blocks can end up being much longer as there is no one else to relieve us unless the primary call team is finished. I average about 50 hours per week of actually working. I also attend a nursing education MSN program full time. Fortunately, the program is 100% online except for 16-24 hours in the last course before the practicum, and of course, the practicum semester itself. Granted, that is nowhere near the clinical time of an NP program. However, I have struggled with time management and between both the call requirements and assignment due dates have ended up missing out on some family events and have almost no social life. My opinion is that it's temporary, and the MSN will open up more opportunities for me in the future, so I feel it's worth it.

As for tuition reimbursement, our requirements are to work as at least a 0.5 FTE (20 hours per week/ 40 hours per pay period), not be in any disciplinary actions, and receive a grade of B or higher. We are reimbursed up to $4800 per calendar year, and are required to remain employed at least 0.5 FTE for one year after the last tuition reimbursement payment is issued.

iteachob, MSN, RN · Nov 11, 2013

I'm a full-time faculty member at one university in my state and a part-time PhD student (7 hours...full time is 9 hrs per semester) at another. I do not get tuition reimbursement from my job, but I do have a non-service fellowship and a scholarship at the University where I am a student. It pays everything, plus a stipend. :) It is a ROUGH schedule (I travel 280 miles round trip once a week for classes) and I am tempted to go part-time at my job.

Soon2bAGNP · Nov 20, 2013

I work full-time and attend a full-time AGNP program. I have not had any issues. I am quite the planner, so I have my time budgeted well. In preparation for school, I did change jobs-- I left the hospital and am currently doing private duty so I can study and complete assignments in my down time at work. That has helped to me still have a life outside of work and school. Nonetheless, I think it would have been manageable if I were still working at the hospital, maybe only cutting back once clinicals started. My private duty case is considered self-employed so I receive no benefits but the hospital I worked for did required at least part-time status and a one year commitment following reimbursement. Good luck to you!!