Anyone ever work full time while getting their RN?

Nurses General Nursing

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Hello everyone!

I got accepted into my school's nursing program, and will begin in October (2006). Classes/clinicals run for 8 weeks at a time. For example, I will have class Monday and Tuesday (2 hours each day), and clinicals Wednesday/Thursday (8 hours each day) for eight weeks, get a week off, then take class/clinicals #2 the next eight weeks, etc.

The problem is, I work full time and without it, cannot afford to pay bills and living expenses. I would have to take out an enormous amount of student loans, which I already have a pretty decent chunk from my first bachelor's degree. Also, if I continue working full time, my tuition is 100% free. But in order to get in that 40-hour work week, I may be squeezing in weekend hours or working 8am-2:00 and in my clinical from 2:30 - 11pm.

I dont have a husband or children (just two lazy cats) so I only have myself.

So I wonder, did anyone out there work full time while working on their nursing degree? Is it possible? How did you handle it? Any advice or pearls of wisdom is appreciated, as I am a little panicked about this situation!!

Specializes in Photolab technician.

Congrats to all you guys and gals getting through doing it!

I have worked 30-40 hours/week each semester for the last 3 years. I, like everyone else, am on a budget and can't sacrifice hours at work for school. Lucky for me I'm only in school 3 days/week my first semester in nursing school so I'll have quite a few days to work once I figure out my clinical schedule.

I'm glad to hear it's doable. I have heard nothing but "You WILL NOT be able to do more than 15-20 hours/week at work, adjust your budget accordingly" in seminars. Yeah, right. That would cover my gas, food, cellphone and maybe my insurance!

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IT CAN BE DONE!!!! I work full time nights in a busy ER and go to school days. I am married and am the only wage earner. Scheduling your time and keeping to it is key. Good Luck

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I also worked midnights and went to school full time with a 5 month old , 8 year old , and husband. I have excellent support and family. I had to sacrafice, so did they. I don't know how I did it , I just did. I was sooo worth it , I love my job and more, I love my family , my job provides a lot of benefits for my family , and for me . You can do it, just keep going.

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I totally understand. I suggest you give it a try and hopefully it may work for you. As the others posted anything is doable. You just have to plan your study really carefully. Study on your lunch/downtime at work. I understand that you gotta face the reality that you need to survive=work. So give it your best shot. :pumpiron:

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Hi! I just wanted to add another word of encouragement. We were told that they don't recommend that you work, but they know that most people have money issues. I have been working FT (40-45 hours/week) ever since I went back to school in Fall 03. I work every day 7:45-4:15 (when I am on campus I leave 15 minutes early at 4 so I have time to get to school; clinical days the time I leave corresponds to how far I am going.) Thank GOD my accounting job is working with me to let me be a little more flexible - I just have to make up time that I am out & get my work done. On the clinical nights, they are from 4-11pm, so I get home between 11:30 & midnight. IT IS POSSIBLE!! I kept a 4.0 through all pre-req's; took a semester off to have a son while I was waiting for my name to come up on the waiting list; and have maintained my gpa at 3.7 since then. You do have to prioritze your time though. I got a B in my first nursing class and looking back, if I had spent a little more time on school and less on other things I would have gotten an A (missed it by less than half of a point.) I do miss spending those evenings w/my son, but it is a small sacrifice for the time that I will have later. I figure, it is only 2-3 nights a week for 16 week sessions, I can handle it. Yes, somedays you will be tired. But aren't you tired some days now? You can do it! I am rooting for you!:pumpiron:

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Specializes in LTC, MDS Cordnator, Mental Health.

I worked and maintained a 3.5 the nursing classes were harder than the prereqs and co reqs. but your future employer will not ask you for your transcripts. Our instructors told us that if you are an A student you will be a C student in the RN Program... Don't concentrate on grades concentrate on Content. If you get something wrong get the rationel as to why. I always struggled on the tests but Aced the Final because of that.

When I go to school All hobbies are put asside. if I sit down I have something to study or read. when I drive anywhere i listen to the lecture. Protect your sleep. (some days i would only get 4 hours) Naps do wonders. Don't procrastinate. always do your homework. ASAP.. Reveiw your lecture notes right after lecture. if they have a tutoring session after a class go.

Check out the LPN to RN Forum... Great information, I have been Mind maping my Assesment information. Boy it cements it in place. you visualise your notes (please for give my spelling)

YES it is tough but when its over ... you can look back with Pride.

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Specializes in Geriatrics.

Not myself personally, but there are at least 4 nurses that I work with now that are working full time and going to RN school. Good Luck to you!!

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Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.
iso i wonder, did anyone out there work full time while working on their nursing degree? is it possible? how did you handle it? any advice or pearls of wisdom is appreciated, as i am a little panicked about this situation!!

congratulations on getting into school!

when i went through my nursing program (back in the 70s), i didn't have a full time job. i had several part time jobs at a time, and ended up working between 30 and 50 hours a week most weeks. it can be done. i had a much easier time when i got my master's in the late 80s -- i worked friday, saturday and sunday days in the icu and went to school during the week. that was ever so much easier!

good luck!

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I have enjoyed reading everyone's posts about working full-time during nursing school, since I am going to have to do that myself in the near future when I go. :) However, I am wondering exactly how many hours a day did any of you study for nursing school while working?

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Specializes in 5 yrs OR, ASU Pre-Op 2 yr. ER.
However, I am wondering exactly how many hours a day did any of you study for nursing school while working?

Depends on the day, depends on the assignments. Any of my reading assignments, i can do those on my lunch break at work. I am lucky that i typically get weekends off (have call every 10th weekend), so i have the weekend to do stuff. I try to get it all done on Friday night, so i can save time on the weekend to lay around like a doormat, and veg. Although, lately, free time has been spent painting, and landscaping.

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Specializes in Obstetrics & Gynecology,Medical/Surgical.

Well here's a little update! I finished my first course last semester with a B (an 89.6% to be exact; unfortunately, a 92% and above is an A in this program). I went into the final exam with a 93.5% but apparently missed just enough answers to drop me into the B-range. HOWEVER, I accomplished this while still working 40 hours a week, so I am quite pleased!!

I just started my next courses (including Pharmacology), and of course still working full time. It's still fairly early in my program to see if continuing to work full time could be harmful to me, but so far...so good, and yes, it is taking much dedication to do so. Evenings and weekends are devoted to my books.

Thanks so much for the advice and motivation that everyone has provided! Knowing that so many others have done it has encouraged me greatly.

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Reading some of the posts on this thread has given me strength.

I am currently working 50-60 hour weeks as a public school teacher; and am scheduled to start night school for LPN this fall.

I have been very apprehensive about the idea of how I would juggle the school work with full time teaching demands.

But I see now that others have done it, and so can I.

Thanks for all of the great stories that were shared here. You are all such an inspiration. :typing

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