Can you work full time and go to rn school???

deeDawntee, RN · Jul 29, 2007

Yes it can be done. I worked full time nights at a group home and the reason it worked is that I always had time to study at work.

Is your work schedule on days? Is there some other position you could take with that company that would allow you to go to school during the day? Perhaps a Urgent Care or Home Care? I don't know of any evening programs, but perhaps there is in your part of the Country.

It sounds like it would take a lot of pre-planning and a lot of support from family and friends. Good Luck to you and I hope you get some better ideas from others.

PMFB-RN, RN · Jul 29, 2007

:uhoh21: Hello, I have 2 kids and have heard it is impossible to go to RN school and work part-full time. Is this true? I need to work because of the benifits and I am not completely sure if we can suvive without some of my income. In order for me to keep benifits I think the min. I can work is 32 hrs a week. I am starting my req for the program in aug. so I have about 1 year before I apply. Also has anyone heard of a evening/weekend schedule course? This is also another reason why I don't want to resign, I work for Kaiser here in CA........ It might be easier to get a job at this hosp. Info please? Thanks

*** I think it would be tough. I worked 24-32 hours a week while in nursing school full time and that was very doable, full time would not have been for me. I wouldn't worry in the least about being able to get a job in the hospital where you currently work after graduation. I am sure they will be happy to hire you as a new RN.

Relocating for nursing school likely isn't an option for you but if it was my nursing school, Southwest Wisconsin Technical College in Fennimore Wisconsin, has a 4 year, very part time nursing program that is run in the evening and weekends for people who must work full time. There is plenty of CNA work in the area and housing is VERY cheep compared to what you are used to. Schools for your kids are among the best in the nation. The program is very inexpensive for WI residents, the whole program cost about $6500. You would have to pay out of state tuition for the first months until you could establish residency. There is no waiting list for the program. here is the web site:

http://www.swtc.edu

deleern · Jul 29, 2007

I did but I saved up all of my "paid time off" so I took 2 days off per payperiod and 1 week a month off during school. I maintained my 40 hours per week.. but we have 250 hours per year of vacation day per year... (thats over 6 weeks of vacation) I accrue at least a 8 or more hours every two weeks. My DH did all the cooking and cleanig and my kids pitched in to help.

DutchgirlRN, ASN, RN · Jul 29, 2007

Yes, I worked full-time and went to school. Where I work an employee can work part-time and still have medical benefits. The insurance is more expensive part-time than full-time but still affordable.

Tweety, BSN, RN · Jul 29, 2007

I worked 32 to 40 hours a week evenings and weekends, so it can be done. It will be hard, but when there's a will there's a way.

Good luck in finding something that fits.

Syncere · Jul 30, 2007

i also believe that it is possible to work full time while going to nursing school. you just have to be dedicated and allow for study time. i'm starting nursing school next month and there is no way that i can do anything less than 40 hours. my plan is to pull two doubles a week and use one of my personal or vacation days each week so that i'm not losing money. i work in a group home so it will be perfect because i can study with no problems. but again, i think that it's highly possible to succeed while working. if you really want it to work out, you will figure something out. there's also the option of taking out student loans since they don't have to be paid back until after graduation. good luck with whatever decision that you make, but know that you can do it!

coolpeach · Jul 30, 2007

I have asked around here and been told no. I am told the program I am applying to requires two full shifts twice a week during the day at a hospital, and three full days at school. In addition you have to drive to whatever hospital you are doing your clinicals in on Sundays to pick up information for the following week. I was actually told by admissions that if you have to work full time they will not even consider you, and they recommend you do not work over something like 16 hours a week.

djnme2000 · Jul 30, 2007

I am in an RN program I work full time M-F 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. so yes I'd say it can be done.

LMRN10 · Jul 30, 2007

I work full-time and I have a 2 year old daughter. I have been doing the pre-req's for the past 3 years and I am done with those now (hoping to get into the Spring program)...I have been told that yes, it is possible to do it, but you have to have an awesome support system at home (mainly with the children I think). As long as you have that and you are given the time you need to study and do what you need to do, it is possible.

LMRN10 · Jul 30, 2007

Forgot to add that I work full-time through the day and go to school at night. Hopefully you will be able to find a school near you that offers the same thing. Good luck!

bound4oregon · Aug 25, 2008

I saw your reply to your post, and I was wondering...how in the world are you working full-time and doing nursing school??? I'm impressed...The only program here in DFW that I can afford is through the county college, and it's only done during the day. I don't know what to do; quit my job with good health benefits and work part-time at FedEx or someting similar to go to school full-time...If you have any concrete suggestions, I would love to hear them. Thanks for listening!