Are you working part time/full time and going to school at the same time?

[nursestudent1975]

:grad: Congratulations! It's so nice to be able to hear of people and their situations. My boyfriend thinks I am nuts and he's never heard of such difficulty just getting through school. I will remember your situation with work/study/school. Thanks!

[ashtoreth1221]

I just finished my RPN/LPN program august of 2008. And now im doing my bridging course- RPN to RN. Just finished week one actually, and i am also currently working part-time...

It's my first time juggling work and studies, I have yet to determined if I would be able to manage, but hopefully I can with all the bills and what-not..

Its just encouraging to know that there are lots of other people in the same boat as I am...

I hope we all be successful and even maybe be co-workers someday! =)

[CaseyColorado]

My Program is M-F from 8-4, Then I haul ass to work everyday.

It's not ideal, and very draining, but I too was told by the DON at our school that working during school would be "impossible."

It's possible, just sucks, but what are my other options? Join sugardaddies.com? I dont think the homeless shelter has much of a study area.....

My advice is to try to find a mindless job. I work at LTC but im working in a dietary position just because it's simple and easy...

The pay sucks, but I make do.

[Jules A, MSN]

Join sugardaddies.com?

Dang if only I had thought of sugardaddies.com I wouldn't have had to work while in school, lol.

[Fancy Face]

I am in school FT M-F and work 13-16 hours on the weekends in LTC as an LPN. It sucks, but doable. I also have made Presidents List each semester thus far. I have 2 kids and a stay at home husband.

I did hit a point last week where I lost my mind for a few days, was emotionally flat-lined. It's just stress. I took 2 days off to regroup and I am back at it tomorrow.

I'm having trouble making ends meet on my income alone minus all the OT I used to work, plus my husband isn't working as much as he used to...our kids are little.

It is very difficult, but I have been allowing myself times for break-downs which are healing in a way...then it's back in the saddle again. One more year. God be with me.

Short term sacrifice for a long term pay off!!!

[Seyma]

I'm in the same situation asking everyone if they worked while in nursing school. I'll be starting the BSN program this fall and have heard that it is impossible to work while in nursing school but like the majority of the world, not working is NOT an option. From what I hear, it seems doable, not easy but doable. I'm already preparing myself for academic suicide. It might be a crazy couple of years but it will be worth it in the end.

[akanini, MSN, RN]

For all those working while going to school....I admire you guys. Best of luck!

[AllSmiles225]

I worked 32 hours/week while in LPN school and now Im going back to school in the fall and am only signed on to work Sat and Sun 3-11. So thats 16 hours/week..not too bad. I may pick up a Friday night if I'm not too busy. School is M-F. It all sucks..it sucked working in LPN school I used to get home at 3 pm sleep for an hour hear the alarm go off at 430 for work and Id just start crying like a psycho mess. Sometimes your so burnt out and exhausted anything will set your emotions off. I'm hoping half of what I did in LPN school will make things a little better but who knows. I was working an unimportant job in LPN school and now obviously, my job is EXTREMELY stressful so I guess it could go either way. Working is not an option just like most people said. When things feel like there getting hard..just keep your eyes on the prize and keep truckin' and please remember that when you have 5 minutes to yourself, give yourself a break. Good luck!

[StephieRN_1216]

My schedule is actually going to be CRAZY this year of school.....

I work 40 hours/week on the PCU unit at my hospital, and once every two weeks I'm on-call for a 24 hour period.

When class starts I'll be driving once a week (an hour and a half away) for all day of theory/class. And once weekly I have to make the drive again to do a 10 hour clinical.

Not to mention all the studying hours and test days, etc.

AGGGGHHHHHH!!!!!

The only thing I'm really worried about is my 13 year old daughter... not making her feel like she's alone for 11 months. I sat her down and had a talk about how tough the next school year will be, financially also (I don't get aid so I have to pay out of pocket for tuition, books, fees, etc.)

Oh and then there's my car! Poor thing is on it's last leg... some days it won't even make it across town, I wonder if it will hold up the long drives twice a week.... :).........but it's paid off!

This will definitely be a test of our strength! I can do anything for 11 months....

[StephieRN_1216]

oh yeah.... forgot to say.... that you do what you WANT to do! Don't listen to someone saying you can't do it, or shouldn't do it - if that's what you and your family need, do it!

I personally think it builds character.

good luck to you!

[Jewl]

My schedule is actually going to be CRAZY this year of school.....

I work 40 hours/week on the PCU unit at my hospital, and once every two weeks I'm on-call for a 24 hour period.

When class starts I'll be driving once a week (an hour and a half away) for all day of theory/class. And once weekly I have to make the drive again to do a 10 hour clinical.

Not to mention all the studying hours and test days, etc.

AGGGGHHHHHH!!!!!

The only thing I'm really worried about is my 13 year old daughter... not making her feel like she's alone for 11 months. I sat her down and had a talk about how tough the next school year will be, financially also (I don't get aid so I have to pay out of pocket for tuition, books, fees, etc.)

Oh and then there's my car! Poor thing is on it's last leg... some days it won't even make it across town, I wonder if it will hold up the long drives twice a week.... :).........but it's paid off!

This will definitely be a test of our strength! I can do anything for 11 months....

O my Gosh. Good luck to you, and pray, pray, pray. You sound like you have a well thought out plan, so you'll make it!

Jessica

[mareeh77]

Hi,

I'm an LVN working full-time 12 hr night shifts while in school full-time at Kaplan. I believe I am the only student still working full-time. Unlike some students, I didn't have the option of not working since I needed the insurance for my family which includes my stay-at-home husband and 2 kids (my son just barely turned 2, and a 6 y.o. girl)

I can tell you that it hasn't been easy especially when I've had to go straight to school for an 8 hr day after working a 12 hr shift coming from another 8 hr day of school, but like some other people have mentioned, we do what we have to do.

I'm sure that all of us would love the luxury of not having to work while going to school, but I certainly couldn't afford that, especially living in San Diego. I'm happy to say that I've made it to my 3rd semester, maybe not with the grades I would have wanted, but still passing usually at the top 10% of my class.

It's not easy especially considering that I feel that sometimes I want to cry because I miss my family. I feel like all I have time to do is sleep when I'm home. Studying is almost nonexistant, so the fact that I have such great work experience and a good head on my shoulder has been key.

And, with what I've been looking at in San Diego, it is getting harder to acquire a new grad RN position in San Diego without already having your foot in the door or the proper experience and connections. So, although I'm killing myself with this crazy schedule, it will be worth it in the end.

Best of luck to you in whatever you decide to do. I suggest to not quit your job right away. You don't know what you're fully capable of unless you try. Don't underestimate yourself.