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I'm trying to see if I can get into either an ASN or LPN program here in NYC, for Spring. I am a patient care associate at a hospital and we are part of a union. Both of these ASN and LPN programs are two hours away from my home and job (Bronx to Long Island). I don't have a car, but I'm willing to deal with the public transit 2 hour commute because its worth it. That's not the issue. The issue is this...
My shift is 3pm-11pm.
The ASN program is in the day time, 4 days a week. Only 1 of those days (Tuesday) conflicts with my job schedule because its Lab from 1pm-3pm. Meaning that, even if I did have a car, I still wouldn't make it to work. Now I am basing this schedule off of another student on allnurses who posted their schedule from this school on here, I don't know if they offer an earlier lab option for that particular day(?).
However, assuming the worst case, I thought maybe I could ask my nurse supervisor if I could just have tuesdays as one of my regular days off every week since that is the only day that would interfere. And it will only be when class is in session. Sounds reasonable to ask, right? It's only one day. BUT, a co worker of mine asked him something similar a while back, but it wasn't for school, it was for babysitting issue, and he said it doesn't work like that you can't do that. I don't know if it will make any difference to him that I'm asking because of a) School and b) I'm trying to become a RN and he's a RN manager(???).
If he still says no, I'm thinking what are my other options? Take the issue higher up the chain of command? I mean there was a guy in another dept who's supervisor let him work 3 days a week (2 doubles and 1 single) to accomodate RN school. What good is working for nursing support if you don't have the option of advancing into the role of a nurse? It's a big contradiction. We have a union but I'm not too sure how much help they will be from this standpoint other than offering to pay for your tuition.
Lastly, the LPN program is also in the day time, not too far from the above program. However, it's mon to fri from 8am-1pm. Public transit will bring me to work at 3:30pm (30 min late). You think this supervisor will let me come to work 30 min late to accomodate this? Or maybe I'm better off getting a car if I end up going this route since I will get to work before 3pm?
Drop to part-time- weekend only. If you need more days , then pick up the occasional shift. If they say no to that, then ask about taking a day off or being late once a week.
Ask about things like your health insurance and general benefits - but do not underestimate nursing school! You will be thankful for days you do not have to be at work, be tired, or worry about exams because you didn't study enough. There are enough ppl on here asking what to do when they failed by like half a point and the school kicked them out.
You're welcome ?
I've never had an issue getting my requested days off approved for school and we're routinely short staffed. There's a significant bedside nurse shortage here though so if my priorities aren't their priorities, it's understood I'll go elsewhere where it is. So whether or not your expectations are realistic depends on your job market there, in my opinion.
jss1985, ASN, RN
200 Posts
Thanks. Doing part time work is tricky. The first issue is i have a family and i make more than my wife. The second issue is that i was told there has to.be an opening for part time in order for me to switch to it. I wish i had one of those 12 hr shift jobs, that would help a bit.