Can anyone tell me if this is possible? Work and school.

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First, I apologize if I posted this in an inappropriate forum. Second, I know this question has been asked before but my situation is a little different. I'm planning on going to Northwestern State University in Shreveport and want to know if it would be possible for me to work full-time and go to school for LPN to RN transition. My situation is different because most of the posts I've found are concerning individuals who work full-time days. Well, I work full-time 2p-10p and my scheduled days off are every other Monday, every other Friday and every other weekend. So my schedule is a little all over the place. Would school conflict too much with this type of schedule?

Thanks so much!

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I'd be interested to hear other opinions, as well. I also work full-time at night (7pm-3:30am). I'm not worried about the lack of sleep since I've had this schedule for years and have adjusted. I also have 3 kids who will be in school during the day. So I'm hoping that having my days free for school/study/clinicals and then working at night will work for me.

Good luck to you!

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Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.

I guess it depends on whether or not it conflicts with the time you need to be in class. I worked about 30 hours a week all through school and can't imagine not working for years.

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I guess it depends on whether or not it conflicts with the time you need to be in class. I worked about 30 hours a week all through school and can't imagine not working for years.

I agree with this. My work schedule is similar to yours (2 p.m. to 10 p.m. Thursday thru Sunday) and I was sure I wouldn't have much trouble adjusting to a program because I'm free three whole days and half one day, plus I can sneak some studying in while I am at work. Boy was I wrong. I start my program next week and I have had to go down to just Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays at work because classes on Thursdays run until 3:30 p.m. My boss was unwilling to let me come in an hour or two later so I had to scrap that day altogether. Get a good look at your school schedule then see how flexible your job will be. What I've learned so far -- with no classes under my belt other than my prerequisites and pharmacology -- nursing school is not exactly a flexible institution. Best of luck!!!

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Well, I need to mention that cutting back on my work hours is NOT an option. I'm already struggling financially as it is (this job doesn't pay very well) so there's no way I can afford to lose hours. This job is also EXTREMELY laid back. I have a lot of health issues and the only way I'd be able to go to school and work is if I keep this job. I couldn't do any other job and go to school without killing myself. lol. So, am I pretty much screwed here?

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Specializes in LTC, Psych, Hospice.

I got through LPN school working approx 30 hr/wk. Single mom w/ 4 kids (ages 8, 10, 13, and 15). Now I'm doing LPN/BSN bridge and work only 24 hrs/wk. No one home anymore but me.

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Specializes in LTC, Psych, Hospice.
. I'm planning on going to Northwestern State University in Shreveport Than

My niece graduated from Northwestern (BSN). I'm at Southeastern.

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Well, I need to mention that cutting back on my work hours is NOT an option. I'm already struggling financially as it is (this job doesn't pay very well) so there's no way I can afford to lose hours. This job is also EXTREMELY laid back. I have a lot of health issues and the only way I'd be able to go to school and work is if I keep this job. I couldn't do any other job and go to school without killing myself. lol. So, am I pretty much screwed here?

I know this is never a great option, but have you considered taking out student loans to pay off after graduation? These loans of course can include money to cover aspects of your living situation. You may need to still work part-time, but a loan can at least help off-set some of the hours. Otherwise, I think a part-time work and part-time school program would be ideal. Nursing school such as at Northwestern will be highly challenging, and not passing a class or two because of lack of study time would be a real setback imo.

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not passing a class or two because of lack of study time would be a real setback imo.

I actually have quite a bit of down time at work. So I don't see that being too big of an issue. My main issue is just being able to stay at work 40 hrs per week so I can pay my rent and bills, and keep food in my belly and clothes on my back.

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I actually have quite a bit of down time at work. So I don't see that being too big of an issue. My main issue is just being able to stay at work 40 hrs per week so I can pay my rent and bills, and keep food in my belly and clothes on my back.

lol, I doubt your employer is going to support any "at-work" study times, even if you are not particularly busy. They are after all paying for you to, you know, work.

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Well, I need to mention that cutting back on my work hours is NOT an option. I'm already struggling financially as it is (this job doesn't pay very well) so there's no way I can afford to lose hours. This job is also EXTREMELY laid back. I have a lot of health issues and the only way I'd be able to go to school and work is if I keep this job. I couldn't do any other job and go to school without killing myself. lol. So, am I pretty much screwed here?

I'm not saying you're screwed just yet. I am saying you won't know whether or not you're screwed until you get your class schedule. At some schools, those class schedules are RIGID. So if your class schedule requires you to be in class or in a lab or at clinical on a day and at a time when you would also have to be at work, you will be screwed that day because your instructor is not going to be willing to budge and neither will your supervisor/finances. Know what I mean? You've gotta get a look at that schedule. I don't see you being able to get through your first semester, or your first year for that matter, without having to be in class every Monday. That could present a problem since you're only off every other Monday.

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I've been in my program for the last 3 semesters and I have a 7 yo son and a husband. I don't know if you could actually pull off those hours of work. In my program our clinical days start at 6:30 a.m. and go until 2:30-3:00 depending on how long post clinical conference lasts. I have never been able to determine the days that I have my clinicals, they have always been dictated to me. Now this next semester one of the days I have lecture in the morning from 9 to 12 and then clinical from 1:30 to 9:00 pm. So if your boss is flexible on the days that you can take off in different semesters then you might be able to work it out. Although I can't imagine working and trying to go through a full time nursing program. It's harder than my MBA program was and that's saying alot considering I had economics and finance. :) Look into the student loan options, I hate doing it but I couldn't stand the alternative which is not to go at all.

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