Clinicals....how do you do it?

rnkaytee · Jul 20, 2016

I honestly have no idea how people working full time can get their clinical hours in. I worked part-time and then maybe 1-2 days/week during my last semester when I had to get 350 hours. I was at the hospital 4-5 days/week for 15 weeks. Is there any way you can cut down at work?

Trauma Columnist · Jul 20, 2016

I worked full time nights (12 hour shifts) and did clinicals on nights, weekends and (ugh! I still shudder) but also did them after working a 12 hour night shift during day shift....

allnurses Guide · Jul 20, 2016

I worked weekends and did my clinicals during the week. It was hard, but I had no other choice.

traumanightsRN, NP · Jul 21, 2016

As an FNP student you are only going to be able to do clinical M-F 8-5 unless you're at a Minute Clinic. I just finished my FNP program this past May and I had to get in 300 hours each semester. I took 12 hours of PTO in the fall and then moved to part time for the spring (24h per week). I highly suggest you either use PTO or go part time so you only have to work 24 hours a week (2 days if you're an inpatient RN). With the driving, class, tests, notes, and studying you'll be doing you'll burn out quick and have trouble getting your hours and work done for school. Trust me. FNP programs require the most clinical hours of all the NP programs since we cover the entire lifespan and almost all specialties. If you want to keep your sanity only work part time hours.

Shana321 · Jul 21, 2016

I did it! Married, working mom of 3! Just graduated from GCU ACNP program in June. I was granted permission to do 4-10 hour days as needed to complete clinicals. That gave me Friday's and weekends to do clinical hours. I did pulmonary, cardiology, nephrology, thoracic surgery, and hospitalist hours. Some of those that I did hours with rounded in hospital super early so I could get 3 hours in before work sometimes too. I did acute and FNP might be different. Best wishes!

TammyG · Jul 23, 2016

I worked weekends (12 hour shifts) and did my clinicals and classroom Monday through Friday. Ugh. It was a very long haul and I was pretty miserable. I had no choice due to a number of circumstances, and I guess it worked out pretty well, but it was exhausting. I do not recommend it.

MikeFNPC, MSN · Jul 25, 2016

I quit and didn't work. Saved up enough to get me through about 6 months. I could have worked but it would have been very hard.

Rocknurse, MSN, APRN, NP · Jul 27, 2016

I also work Mon-Fri and will be starting clinicals in January. However, both of my managers recently completed their Master's and so appreciate the struggle and are willing to work with me to give me flexible hours while I complete clinicals. This might mean working 12 hours days or weekends but as I am the sole breadwinner in the family working part time is not an option. I just have to remind myself that it's temporary and nothing last forever. Luckily my job is low-stress and deskbound so I will probably come to work for a rest lol

twinmommy+2, ADN, BSN, MSN · Jul 27, 2016

I work full time but night shift with an understanding manager. For the fall semester I plan on having Sunday Monday and Tuesday. Sunday is rest day. Monday I drive 96 miles ad stay overnight to accomplish clinicals. It's a tight schedule but I'll make it work.

YoutubeTheNP · Aug 5, 2016

It definitely will be harder since you work a M-F. I worked 3-12s, class one day a week, and the other 2-3 days I did clinical.That will be tough to manage with a 5 day work week.

Jules A, MSN · Aug 5, 2016

As an FNP student you are only going to be able to do clinical M-F 8-5 unless you're at a Minute Clinic. .

I did a majority of mine with a physician in the ED so almost all evening, overnight or weekend hours. I will never understand those who are able to justify quitting work. I was making over $80,000 as a RN so multiply that by the years in NP school and there was no way I could even consider quitting or going part time. It wasn't fun but I found a way to make it work without losing money that I'd never be able to recover.