Nursing school and working full time

HopefulRN2010 · May 28, 2008

There is a BSN program here in Georgia, that is part time. Maybe they have something similar where you live. I do believe it takes a semester longer to complete.

MotivatedOne · May 28, 2008

I spoke with an Advisor at my school about the ABSN program I plan to go into and she said that it's not recommended you work while in the program but I work with a graduate of the program and she said she worked as a CNA at night while in the program. Another guy I did my orientation with said that it was stressfull and somewhat like a full time job considering he felt he was in school from 8 am to 11 pm M-F and they did clinicals on Saturdays. I took three science courses this past spring semester Micro, A&P 1 and Dev. Psychology and worked between 36 and 48 hours a week...at NIGHT and I still managed to get passing grades. So it all depends on the person and how they handle the pressure of juggling school, work, and family.

js408 · May 28, 2008

I talked to someone today at the school of nursing, not an advisor though. I'm not really sure who I talked to. She was very rude and dismissive, "if you're working you can't go to nursing school."

Apparently there is no drop-in advising or even advising by appointment for the nursing school, I have to wait for the monthly group-advising session which sounds weird. The next group-advising is in three weeks so I guess I will go and ask all of my questions there.

This is the first time I've contacted the school and it left a very bad taste in my mouth. But then again I won't be done with pre-reqs until 2012 and who knows what my situation will be then. Maybe I'll find a way to make it work by then...

I spoke with an Advisor at my school about the ABSN program I plan to go into and she said that it's not recommended you work while in the program but I work with a graduate of the program and she said she worked as a CNA at night while in the program. Another guy I did my orientation with said that it was stressfull and somewhat like a full time job considering he felt he was in school from 8 am to 11 pm M-F and they did clinicals on Saturdays. I took three science courses this past spring semester Micro, A&P 1 and Dev. Psychology and worked between 36 and 48 hours a week...at NIGHT and I still managed to get passing grades. So it all depends on the person and how they handle the pressure of juggling school, work, and family.

msdizzydolores · May 28, 2008

I would definitely look into a school who has a part time BSN/program. They are out there.

And I know what you mean about not being able to talk to someone. I wanted to speak with someone from the school I am applying to and the only time I can meet them is at the Open House in two weeks. They don't schedule appts or take drop ins. ***********

Anyway...good luck findind a school. I am in the same boat. I have a mortgage and I need to work fulltime. So I have to settle for doing my pre reqs over the next year and then had to search for a part time BSN program.

Matter of fact, I'm still wrestling with the BSN or CC option. I dont know what to do.

rholman · May 28, 2008

The school I will be attending has an evening and weekend program. As many suggested, there may be a school in your area offering something similar. I have to work full time to support myself and my daughter and will have to make a way. It is going to be rough but you can do it.

Some advisors are just ignorant. It is a strong suggestion that you don't work or only work part time during Nursing school because of the heavy work load with clinicals and lecture, however, it is not written in stone. If you can manage both than don't concern yourself with what they say. That is why they created the evening/weekend programs because the dept of education realizes that expectation is not realistic in today's society.

Go thru your pre-req's and then cross that bridge when you get to it.:wink2:

Ladypie · May 28, 2008

What's your personal situation? I see you are male- do you have a family? Mortgage? Why do you need to work full time?

I am a female going back for a second career for when my kids are all in school. I have a husband who supports me so I do not have to worry about paying bills or anything while in school. That really helps. If I was on my own and had to pay rent and other bills, it would be much harder. I do work 10-15 hours a week in the evenings to pay for my classes and get out of the house a little. Once I am in a nursing program, though, I would be able to quit this job if I needed to.

I think the advisors are just warning students that it is a tough road. They see many people drop or fail out. Sure there are some people who can handle the workload and maintain their jobs and other commitments. I am sure, though, that what they see more is people struggling to make it through. I would rather they paint a tough picture than make nursing school seem too easy.

dee78 · May 28, 2008

It was strongly recommended, by the CC nursing school I was accepted to back in 2002, that you not work during nursing school. I ultimately declined because the stress of working fulltime, taking care of two young children, going through a divorce, and other personal issues were going to be too much to deal with on top of nursing school. BTW, that school also offered a part time program but still recommended that you not work.

Now I'm working on pre-reqs this summer and my CNA this fall, then I'll apply for the Fall 09 online nursing program through Tennessee Board of Regents. I will have clinicals and labs to attend but that's it. So though the coursework will be the same, the time constraints will not. You can see if there are any similar programs in your state. This is a brand new program here, the first class starts this fall at only 2 colleges.

Personally, I think that everyone knows their own strengths and weaknesses. If you believe that you have the ability to work and go to school at the same time then I say do it. They can't tell you not to work, though they can make it harder on you if they find out that you are working. You just have to work a little harder to prove that it can be done, and it can be done.

js408 · May 28, 2008

I live in Silicon Valley CA. Rent is $2,000 a month for a small apartment, not including any other bills or expenses. My wife just got her degree last year and is only just getting started with her career. She had a baby less then a month ago so she can only work from home for now.

What's your personal situation? I see you are male- do you have a family? Mortgage? Why do you need to work full time?
I am a female going back for a second career for when my kids are all in school. I have a husband who supports me so I do not have to worry about paying bills or anything while in school. That really helps. If I was on my own and had to pay rent and other bills, it would be much harder. I do work 10-15 hours a week in the evenings to pay for my classes and get out of the house a little. Once I am in a nursing program, though, I would be able to quit this job if I needed to.

MotivatedOne · May 28, 2008

I live in Silicon Valley CA. Rent is $2,000 a month for a small apartment, not including any other bills or expenses. My wife just got her degree last year and is only just getting started with her career. She had a baby less then a month ago so she can only work from home for now.

Wowzer...$2000/month for an apartment? Do you know what that could get you here? What kind of house you could be living in? No wonder they're starting nurses with like 60,000 and up out that way.

I had a nurse on my floor who is a traveler now in Cali tell some of the other nurses that she's bringing home like $5500 a week...is that possible?

SecondGenRN · May 28, 2008

I've been doing pre-req's for B.S.N. for almost a year now at a local junior college. Today I finally got a hold of someone at the nursing school I want to go to at SJSU. They said that you can't go to nursing school if you're working full time.
I find it hard to believe that everyone who's become a nurse has done so straight out of highschool and everyone else has quit their job and moved into a homeless shelter while they go to nursing school...
Is there any practical way for someone to work full time and go to nursing school or should I find a new career? I am not willing to accept an associates degree, it's BSN or nothing.

I am currently in my fourth year of the regular BSN program and I have been working full time throughout the program. I wouldn't recommend it becasue it is extremely hard. I would not have been able to make it without my family supporting me (I'm also a single mom). I will say that it IS possible to do both but it really takes a lot out of you. I have many days when I work nights and go to school during the day:( Do you have a degree already? If you do, there are accelerated BSN programs that let you graduate in 2 years instead of the 4. Just a thought.

js408 · May 28, 2008

Yes $2,000 for an apartment is excessive and unfair, but the cost of living here is extremely high. Gas is $4.20 something a gallon. In other parts of California, I could rent an entire house with swimming pool and yard for less. Oh well.

$5,200 a week is $270,000 a year which is way way more than any RN that I know of has ever made. Not saying it's impossible but highly improbable. A specialist like a nurse anesthetist could certainly make that much though.

I know a nurse RN (with ADN) who works for UCSF hospital and gets paid around $80,000 per year.

Wowzer...$2000/month for an apartment? Do you know what that could get you here? What kind of house you could be living in? No wonder they're starting nurses with like 60,000 and up out that way.
I had a nurse on my floor who is a traveler now in Cali tell some of the other nurses that she's bringing home like $5500 a week...is that possible?