Cuesta SLO - Schedule? Working while studying?

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Hi,

I have a question for current RN students of Cuesta college in San Luis Obispo, or recent alumni.

I have 2 part time jobs that I'm juggling and a 3rd in the wings that could potentially begin in September. I am trying to decide which one would be the best to keep and give preference to now in preparation for when I (hopefully) start the RN program in Fall 2012.

My understanding from looking at the NRAD class offerings over the last years is that most coursework is scheduled for Mondays and Tuesdays, with several additional "TBA" hours.

  • How many hours are (were) you able to work while doing the 2 year program?
  • If you worked while completing the RN program, what would you say might be the ideal schedule for working along with classes? Would it be reasonable to work 3 nights a week? or a Friday/Saturday/Sunday shift?
  • Are most clinical hours usually on week days?
  • How far ahead of time would I know my nursing school hours to be able to give my outside work notice?

Any information would be appreciated!

Thanks :)

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Hi there! I'm starting in the Fall, too, and found this link through google.

http://academic.cuesta.edu/nursing/RN/RN FAQ for Website REV Mar 2 2012.pdf

It describes the schedule on page 6.

What is the RN class schedule - days and times of the RN program?

* The program consists of lecture classes, skills lab practice, simulation lab training and patient care in the clinical setting.

* You can review what the program schedule currently looks like below. This is only an example to help your planning, because it could change from year to year.

Approximate RN Program Weekly Schedule

First Semester (fall):

Monday: 8 a.m. - 12 noon Academic courses

Skills Lab Practice: Monday afternoon with an additional minimum of 2 hours per week in lab

Tuesday: 9 a.m. - 1:30p.m. Academic courses followed by clinical research at the hospital

Clinical is every other week on Wed. & Thursday; the hours may be 6 a.m. - 3 p.m. or 7 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Second Semester (spring):

Monday: 8 a.m. - 12 noon Academic courses

Skills Lab Practice: 2 hours Monday afternoon with an additional minimum of 2 hours per week in lab

Tuesday: 9 a.m. - 1:30p.m. Academic courses followed by clinical research at the hospital

Clinical is every week on Wednesday & Thursday; the hours may be 6 a.m. - 3 p.m. or 7 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Third Semester (fall):

Wednesday: 9:30 a.m. - 2 p.m. Academic courses

Thursday: 9:30 a.m. - 2 p.m. Academic courses

Skills Lab Practice: Wednesday afternoon with an additional minimum of 2 hours per week in lab

Clinical is every other week on Monday & Tuesday, the hours may be 6 a.m. - 3 p.m. or 7 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Fourth Semester (spring):

First half of Semester:

Wednesday: 12 noon -3 p.m. Academic courses

Thursday: 9 a.m. -12 noon

Clinical is every week Monday & Tuesday, 6 a.m. - 3 p.m. or 7 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Second half of Semester:

Practicum

NCLEX Preparation

***************************

It sounds like it will be a rather irregular schedule, but maybe it stays that way for the entire semester. I hope that your employer will be flexible for you, since it does appear that you can give them fair warning of your nursing school program hours at the beginning of each semester.

I also found a Spring schedule for the skills lab here (no fall schedule, sorry!):

http://academic.cuesta.edu/nursing/RN/Open_Skills_Lab.pdf

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