Nursing Students General Students
Published Mar 24, 2015
mirandaaa
588 Posts
Posting in the General Nursing Student forum because I want to direct this to students who are enrolled and currently taking classes in the nursing program.
For my school, before applying to the ASN or LPN programs, we're required to attend a seminar where a director from the programs speaks to us about requirements and general questions.
When it came down to clinicals, she said that they cannot work around everyone's schedule 100% of the time, but if you knew of something recurring (such as not having a babysitter every Wednesday, for example) they would try to work with you on that. I raised my hand and stated that I work normal business hours (Monday-Friday 8-4) and asked if that would be doable and she said absolutely not (even though I'm open [grudgingly] to doing overnight clinicals and skipping sleep when needed).
I understand it varies by school and the times of the classes/clinicals offered, but I'm just wondering if anyone else here works the same hours and are able to do it?
OrganizedChaos, LVN
1 Article; 6,883 Posts
When I was in my LVN program clinicals were during the weekday. I have read on here that there are noc clinicals. But it doesn't sounds like your school does them. You might have to cut down on work or look for another job. Having one recurring day is different that working normal business hours.
NurseGirl525, ASN, RN
3,663 Posts
There is no working with someone's schedule in my program. You need to be available whenever they need you. Ours are 12 hours right now from 6:45 in the morning until 7 at night. Plus I have random clinical hours for my mental health class. It's kind of off the wall. We get no say so in our clinical whatsoever. That is why you are told to have a good support system in place. You may want to find a school that can offer weekend clinical hours.
But it doesn't sounds like your school does them. You might have to cut down on work or look for another job.
I was afraid of that. I have a great job; salary, benefits, really easy and the most money I've ever made (I don't stick with it because it's not something I'm passionate about for a life career). I can't afford to make much less than I'm making now and really my best option to make that amount with different hours would be bartending, but I don't have any experience.
I sign up for my classes next week and I'll try to avoid any business hours that I can and whatever overlaps I'll speak to my boss and see if he's going to be understanding over what I'm trying to do. Otherwise letters get sent out at the end of May so I'll find out in June if I'm accepted and if so, I'll spend the next two months bartending training or something.
Super frustrating that there aren't any night classes but I understand it's something I may need to give up.
You may want to find a school that can offer weekend clinical hours.
Unfortunately that isn't an option without waiting 3 more years. This is the only school near me that will do a dependency override for financial aid that I've found. Because I'm under 25, not married, and don't have children, the government places me as a dependent student (even though I've been fully independent since 17 and the closest parent lives 12 hours away).
As a previous poster said the clinicals are going to be 12 hours so you need to dedicate your time to school.
Instead of bartending, why don't you look into CNA classes?
I am a CNA. I did it for three years and made half of what I make now and the hours aren't flexible. 12 hour shifts and set schedules are all I've found and nowhere near the pay that I currently make.
I miss working as a CNA, but I don't make enough to afford my bills.
I hope you can figure things out between work & school! I'm sure it will all come together.
Thank you!
I've got some time. I may even be stressing myself out for no reason since I haven't even been accepted yet.
I was just hoping someone with a similar situation would pop up and give me some magical "everything will be alright" advice haha :)
nurseprnRN, BSN, RN
1 Article; 5,116 Posts
You do realize that as a new grad RN you will have very few, if any, jobs open to you in those "business" hours.
I'm not looking for business hours as an RN. I'm actually planning on 7p-7a shifts as an RN.
I was asking in regards to working business hours during school only.
Thanks for the clarification. Good luck!