Evening Nursing Programs in South Eastern Massachusetts

[eriinlw]

Hi everyone,

I've been an avid reader of this site for awhile but I finally joined.

I was wondering if anyone could help me with some questions I have?

I'm from South Eastern, Ma, about an hour south of Boston.

I work full time 830-5 pm Monday through Friday. I support myself and do not have the option to quit my job to go to nursing school.

I have looked at a few community colleges that offer evening nursing programs, such as Quinsigamond, Massasoit, Mass Bay ect.

My concern is from what I've read in previous posts, these evening programs and their classes start before 5 pm. Are there evening programs that start later? I know for some schools they allow weekend clinicals, but even evening clinicals start at 3 pm.

All the colleges near me are also at least a 40 minute drive a way. So if I were to leave right after work at 5, I wouldn't be able to get there until 6 at the earliest.

I'm not really sure what to do. I attend Bristol Community College at the moment but I don't believe I can attend their hybrid nursing program because when the class does meet I think they meet on a week day, which I cannot do because of work. I am waiting to hear back from the BCC nursing program contact about the hybrid program.

I'm more than committed to put in the work because nursing is all I can think about. My major obstacle is finding a school with class times I'm able to make it to.

Does anyone have an advice or tips?

Thank you and I appreciate your feedback,

Erin

[Devon Rex, ADN, BSN]

Hello,

Have you talked with your employer? Would they be willing and able to flex your schedule to help you go to school? Or get a different position within the organization that would allow for flexibility? What kind of work do you do now? Are you in healthcare already? If so, your employer should be sympathetic to your situation. If it's not healthcare... could you become a CNA or MA, find work at a medical facility, so you can then enroll in nursing school with a flexible work schedule?

Finding the right nursing class schedule for you is one challenge, the most difficult one though will be to fit in your clinicals while you have a full-time job. If your job cannot be flexible, it will be impossible to complete the curriculum. Nursing schools can be ruthless in changing their schedules from one semester to another... do not believe their rosie stories of them "offering schedules that fit your lifestyle". That only applies if you always roll with their punches (sorry to say). Nursing schools demand students to be flexible. It drove my anxiety through the roof, but I made it through.

I understand your dilemma. I truly hope you can make it work. :)

[southshore2014, APRN]

Hi Erin,

Congratulations on researching your interest in nursing!

I graduated from BCC's hybrid program and am fairly familiar with the other ones in the area from when I was trying to figure out where to go. BCC's hybrid program is fantastic as far as the education, but it would not give you the flexibility for the hours you're looking for. To my knowledge, there are not any evening programs that meet after 4pm due to the amount of hours they need to meet per week. I know Quincy College (location in Plymouth) offers a part-time program, I'm not sure when their classes/clinicals are.

Please feel free to private message me, I'm happy to discuss your situation further and see if we can brainstorm some options!