Did you have to quit/change a job to do NP school?

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Hi everyone- I am just looking for input from others to see how you handled working during NP school. I have an extra burden of needing to carry health benefits for the family. Currently I work a 5 day position and just do not see how it will be possible to continue it much longer. I have talked with several who have graduated my program and they have all told me that the last 3 semesters are toughest to do, and that working is only possible in a 2-3 shifts/wk scenario. Since I need to carry the bennies, NOT working is unfortunately not an option-boo! I am about a year away from those last few semesters, however my actual clinical work starts this spring and I don't want to be trying to job search, orient, etc at the same time as going into the hardest semesters of school!

I really enjoy my current position, but I need to plan ahead and make sure that my #1 priority is being successful in school. I am planning to look for a staff nurse position, preferably nights so that i can learn everything again (due to the fact that i have been away from bedside for >10 yrs).

How did YOU handle working during school? Also, any insight would be great, any feedback appreciated!

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Specializes in Adult Internal Medicine.

I dropped to per diem in the final clinical semesters as it really just isn't possible to fit it all in without cutting corners somewhere. Or being really really motivated.

Sent from my iPhone.

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I am sort of in the same position in terms of working a 5 day work week. I start should start my clinical rotation in May 2015. Therefore, I just left resigned at one federally qualified health center to work at another. On the interview, my supervisor informed me that she too is in school for her and NP and a lot of the staff are in nursing school. She went on to say that the organization really supports school and that they would accommodate my school schedule in hopes that after graduation I would continue my employment and work as an NP with them.

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Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.

I did 16h shifts on weekends as part of a weekend option program. Not working wasn't an option because I wasn't a kid and in the time it took to get my NP I made $130,000 so even though I could have afforded it no way was I going to quit and "focus on school". :sarcastic: It wasn't the most fun or relaxing 2 years of my life but definitely worthwhile in the end.

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awesome. thanks for input so far! i guess that i am certainly not the only one to go through this.

another question, if anybody is willing- how can i 'brush up' on some of my clinical nursing skills that i'm pretty sure are long gone? i know i could do a 'refresher' course but in my area they are LONG and COSTLY! my time frame is going to be tight and i wouldn't have the time for that.

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Specializes in Geriatrics/family medicine.

I dropped down to per diem and working 2-3 shifts a week, when I have papers or exams I will cut down to 1-2

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Specializes in Cardiac, Home Health, Primary Care.

I worked full time until clinical a came along. I dropped to part time with benefits which was still tough given that most weeks I worked or had clinic 6 days. I was exhausted. Then a weekend option position came up and I took it.

If you need benefits with minimal days I think weekend option is the way to go. Plus you're free all week for clinical, homework, errands, etc.

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When I started my program I was in a full time salaried mon-fri position and frequently had to go in on weekends as well because I was the boss. I had to drop that position it was just too much, although it can be done the first 6-8 months, I am doubling courses so there is no way I could do that. I am currently a clinical instructor at a college in Indianapolis and work a couple days a week as a clinical instructor and one day a week assisting with simulation. I only work about 24 hours a week and its enough. I start clinical soon and cannot imagine doing a Monday through Friday job with clinical time too. It is possible, but remember in primary care most places are Monday through Friday although you may find sites in the hospital or other outpatient clinics that run on weekends. Best wishes.

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Specializes in CTICU.

I did it, but I was doing ACNP so most of my clinicals were in areas that are 24/7 and I was able to do a lot of weekend/night shift clinicals to fit it in. I did it very slowly over 4 yrs too. I also had a super flexible boss who let me use PTO time as I needed or work 4x10s instead of 5x8s etc. With a strict 9-5 M-F schedule it would be very difficult.

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Specializes in Emergency, ICU.

I have gone per diem and purchased health insurance through my state (ACA). Because I'm in school and my income is lower, I only pay $500 a month to cover the whole family. Totally worth it. There's no way I could work while in clinicals.

Sent from my iPhone -- blame all errors on spellcheck

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thank you everybody for your input. i would agree any other answers that anybody cares to share! i have a couple interviews coming up.

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I work in the hospital setting so only do 3-12 hour shifts. I just cut back to part time (2-12 hour shifts), but pick up an on call shift once or twice a month to help make up the pay cut, plus I do home health teaches for extra income. I plan to try to suck it up and do part time as long as I can. It might be hard, but it is hard to imagine not working and loosing that salary for my family. I am also trying to do it without student loans, so that is another reason. The last semester I will just have to see what happens with clinicals but will still try to work part time.

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