Anyone here work FT and doing an NP program??

ChristineN, BSN, RN · Jan 6, 2013

There aren't any part-time jobs in my area so I'm stuck with full-time. I'd love to be an FNP and have several online programs I'd like to apply to, but I'm worried about pulling off both work and school, but I'm single and don't have kids so I'd have that much more time to dedicate to my studies.
Is anyone here doing an NP program AND work full-time? I'd love to hear from you. I don't want to give up on my dream of being a FNP but I want to do it well!
Thanks guys!
Linda

Are you thinking about doing full-time work and full-time NP school? I suppose it could be done if you were working nights/weekends/off shifts as an RN. If you are just taking classes part-time, working full-time is still very doable. A lot of my co-workers are in NP school and they all work full-time/go to school part-time

NTPinky · Jan 6, 2013

I'd definitely do NP school part-time if working full-time... I doubt I could do both full-time. Thanks for your feedback! :)

twinkerrs · Jan 6, 2013

I work full time and go to school what is considered part time (6 hours) it takes a lot more time to prep for a masters program then any other program so the course load feels full time to me. I have three kids and am surviving ok. My time to cut hours comes this summer when I start clinicals. 90/270/270 are the amount of clinical hours nevessary to complete those three semesters. No way will I be able to work full time at that point.

NTPinky · Jan 6, 2013

Forgot to add that the FNP programs I'm looking into are all post-Master's certificate programs.

illcleff · Jan 6, 2013

I started NP school this past fall working full time (3 12hour shifts) and it was totally doable. I attend part-time (6 credits/quarter). I must say though that time management is key with online classes. Like you, I am also single without kids. YOU CAN DO IT!!! I have heard that things do get crazy once clinicals start. Will see how things go but for now I am managing fine. Hope that helps and Good Luck!!!!!!!!!

NTPinky · Jan 6, 2013

Thanks for the encouragement. I'm in an outpatient clinic so it's a M-F schedule. I know of other clinics that are open on weekends and/or evenings, I'd have to find out if they accept NP students to do clinicals there.

Inori, BSN, RN · Jan 8, 2013

if you are working M-F what do you do about clinicals? does your job count towards clinical hours OR you need to arrange somehow time to do clinicals too?

jmunsg2010 · Jan 18, 2013

Thanks for the encouragement. I'm in an outpatient clinic so it's a M-F schedule. I know of other clinics that are open on weekends and/or evenings, I'd have to find out if they accept NP students to do clinicals there.

I'm in the same situation. I work full time at a health dept M-F and I plan on attending school part time online in fall 2013. I work closely with a FNP. I was told that my clinicals can be done at a urgent care or clinics that open in the evenings and weekends.

NTPinky · Jan 18, 2013

Which school are you going to? I haven't even sent applications yet!

kguill975, MSN, APRN, NP · Jan 20, 2013

I competed my ACNP program while working full-time. I dropped my hours down to 32 hours a week, which was considered full-time at my job, and took 8 hours PTO every week, so I only had to work 24 hours during the time I was completing clinicals. It wasn't easy, because I did 40 hours per week in clinical, and 24 hours at work to get through it quickly. I often finished clinical hours within the first 2 months of the semester, and could relax a little for the remainder of the semester. I'm a single parent who would normally work 60 hours a week, so I pushed through. Time management is so important, as you will have tests and assignments during this time as well. Good luck, you can do it!

NTPinky · Jan 20, 2013

I competed my ACNP program while working full-time. I dropped my hours down to 32 hours a week, which was considered full-time at my job, and took 8 hours PTO every week, so I only had to work 24 hours during the time I was completing clinicals. It wasn't easy, because I did 40 hours per week in clinical, and 24 hours at work to get through it quickly. I often finished clinical hours within the first 2 months of the semester, and could relax a little for the remainder of the semester. I'm a single parent who would normally work 60 hours a week, so I pushed through. Time management is so important, as you will have tests and assignments during this time as well. Good luck, you can do it!

Wow! You're my hero :) Depending on the school I get into I may not be starting clinicals right away, so that's a plus as I'd have some time to prepare and figure out my schedule... oh and accrue more PTO :) Thanks for sharing your story!