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!

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.

You think they'll know? I've been up here for over two years and a lot of my time has been spent reading. If there is nothing to do there is nothing to do. I'm not going to just sit and stare. Thanks anyway.

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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?

This would be my biggest concern :heartbeat School does not allow for many absences at all- and they don't care why :( Whatever hours you work (and I understand having to work; I worked 40hrs by doing 2 doubles on Fri/Sat- pm/noc and pms on Sun all during school- as a CNA) be sure you do whatever it takes to stay healthy. If you can't cut down on hours, is there any way to rearrange them?

It's hard, but possible...just stay healthy enough to keep up with classes. :)

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Specializes in Med Surg - Renal.
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.

No.

I know, you asked, "Is it possible?", not "Should I."

It's possible to blindfold yourself and run across a busy freeway without getting killed, but why would you try?

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Well said MN-nurse. I totally agree.

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You think they'll know? I've been up here for over two years and a lot of my time has been spent reading. If there is nothing to do there is nothing to do. I'm not going to just sit and stare. Thanks anyway.

Fair enough. Personally though, I'd at least be looking at one of the countless LPN-RN online programs. This would be MUCH more amenable to a full-time work schedule.

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Ok. Well, it would appear that NSU is out of the question. My local community college just opened up a nursing program. Aren't community colleges supposed to be more flexible? Think that would be an ok option? Doing a complete online degree is a last resort.

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If the end results are all the same, why would an online program be your absolute last resort? At this rate, your work schedule is inflexible, the school schedule is inflexible and you're kinda inflexible. Something, or someone, is going to have to bend. I can't presume to know your exact situation, but I believe one thing about nursing students across the board: if you want it bad enough you will find a way to make it work.

Hope all goes well!!!

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Absolutely it can be done. I worked 7p to 7a three to four days week and went to school full time. I also had done 11-7a five to six days a week and I almost preferred that because I found I wasn't as tired.

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Specializes in ICU, Telemetry.

I had to work full time while in my LPN to RN trans curriculum -- worked 3 12x, Th/Fri/Sat night, every weekend for 2 years. Thursdays were the worst because I would either have class or clinicals and then get 2 hours sleep before I went to work. You can do it, but your life is going to be telling people "No" -- no, I can't go to the party, no I can't go shopping, no I can't go to the movies. If I wasn't working, in class, in clinical, or on the road, I was studying. I listened to audiobook study guides when I was on the road. I had no life.

You can do it, but it's going to suck eggs, and family's the toughest. The list of things you can't do ... well, you don't get a "do over" when school's finished. There are things now I wish I'd have been able to do, like go see my uncle (but I had a midterm coming up and didn't go). My uncle passed away, and not only did I not get to see him before, I had clinicals the day of the funeral (out of state) and my instructors told me that since he wasn't "immediate family" I couldn't be excused. So I didn't go, and will wish for the rest of my life that I'd told them to stick it and went.

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Hi,

I was wondering, am I correct in assuming that you'll be going to school part-time while working full-time? My concern would be that those hours will conflict with the classroom and clinical schedule, but it doesn't hurt to ask beforehand.

In my case, I'm starting the 2nd year of a part-time LPN program in Sept. The lecture class is Tues 3-9:30 PM and clinicals are Wed and Thurs 3-10 PM. Unfortunately those hours conflict with my schedule as I work 7-3:30 in the afternoon and have to leave work at least an hour and a half early to make it class/clinical on time.

I hear you about having to work 40 hours/week to support yourself. Last year when I was in school I was taking vacation days left and right and leaving work early to get to class/clinical on time. I eventually ran out of vacation time. I have 0 hours vacation from now until the beginning of January which means no taking random days off to study and not getting paid for leaving hours early to make it to class.

Like you, I have some downtime at work that I can use to my advantage and study. That helps out a lot because on my days off from school by the time I get home from work I am exhausted and the last thing I want to do is study.

It's definitely doable working full-time and going to school, but you just have to make sure that your work schedule doesn't conflict with your school schedule. Is there any way of changing your days off to work around your school schedule if need be?

Sorry I don't have much advice to offer, but I definitely hope it all works out for you!

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I am in a similar situation and will be working friday-mon. I have it a little easier, and my boss loves me, he bought me my littmann for school, but the rules for me say no school at work. BUT, I work also in a really slow work environment and my boss in not there all the time. I like my boss, but like you said I would rather study than watch paint dry. I say it can be done, it wont be easy, but it can be done! Things may change a little but my boss is willing to work a little. Good luck, and try, I think you can do it. I work for a retail job, and use it as my motivation. If I don't do well, I may be stuck here watching paint dry for the rest of my life! Cheers!

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No.

I know, you asked, "Is it possible?", not "Should I."

It's possible to blindfold yourself and run across a busy freeway without getting killed, but why would you try?

I respectfully disagree. I did this, and graduated top of my class ( very top). Can anyone do it- no, but its not impossible. Let's get real, bills need to get paid. As long as one keeps their priorities straight, it can be done.

With that being said, OP, you will find no traditional program ( yes, even at a community college) that will accomodate YOUR schedule. And at some point, I would wonder why your current employer is paying you to sit around so much.

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