Did you work while in LPN school?

bluegeegoo2, LPN · Jun 14, 2014

My program was M-F, 7a-4p. I needed about 3 hrs/day after class to study and complete homework. The weekends were spent studying for the every Monday morning test and to finish up any homework that was due on Monday morning as well. Added to that was the 4 kids under the age of 14. So in a word, no. I did not have time for a job.

krusher91 · Jun 14, 2014

I was pregnant with my first child during the first semester of the LPN program. At my school, the first semester is the hardest. 4-5 days a week 8-12 hours a day and that includes your clinical rotations (which for some, including myself, were on the weekends). The second semester is more laid back and we only had 3-4 days a week, 8-12 hour days. I had my son in the middle of the semester & never missed a day. I think anything a possible! Many in my group worked and some didn't. I didn't work but I felt like if I could have a newborn during the middle of the semester and still maintain my grades, that was just as challenging as balancing a job. I think if you have a set schedule with work and school and schedule yourself time to study you can do anything! Good luck and either route you choose you will be successful if you put your mind to it! ?

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Jun 14, 2014

Did your LPN school have a similar class schedule?

I attended a private nonprofit 12-month program. Clinical shifts were usually on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 6:30am to 3:00pm, and classroom time took place on Thursdays and Fridays from 8:30am to 3:00pm.

Did you work while in school?

No. I was in my early 20s and had recently quit my factory job where I had worked for the previous three years. The factory job was a dead-end with no opportunities for movement or career advancement, so I took the plunge and enrolled in a vocational nursing program.

systoly · Jun 14, 2014

i believe working while attending school translates into dropping by at least one grade

meaning a straight A student might end up with Bs if she had to work while in school

so a student who usually achieves Bs might be in trouble

mommywifenurse29 · Jun 14, 2014

I worked full time my LPN and ASN programs. It didn't interfere with my grades. I don't recommend it for everybody because it is not easy but if you are strong willed it is doable. I just graduated from my RN program and I worked every Tuesday, Friday, sat and sun. If you fill comfortable with it do it, it is up to you to figure what you can and can't handle.

CT Pixie, BSN, RN · Jun 14, 2014

i believe working while attending school translates into dropping by at least one grade
meaning a straight A student might end up with Bs if she had to work while in school
so a student who usually achieves Bs might be in trouble

There's an exception to every rule....I was an A student who worked full time during my LPN schooling. Oddly enough, those of us who worked full time had better grades than those who didn't work at all or worked a few hours a week.

I was an A/B+ student during my LPN to RN program while working full time however I had more on my plate during the RN program d/t family illness/death during my B classes.

That being said, if I had a choice, I would have worked less hours or not at all. However that wasn't an option. I used my available time wisely and knew what took priority over what. working full time and doing well in school can be done. But its usually very stressful and there isn't much time left over for 'me time' or anything els.e

mommywifenurse29 · Jun 14, 2014

I also was on the deans list when I worked full time and completed nursing school. I believe it depends on the type of person you are. I have always worked hard and I knew I could maintain my great gpa and work.

ajerm9 · Jun 15, 2014

Thank you for your responses.

FWIW, I'm single with no children and worked while in undergraduate anywhere from 15-30 hrs/wk during the semesters. While I was finishing up my last class for my B.S. I was working full time, worked a second pt job (16 hrs) on the weekend while taking a 3 hour class and I know what people mean by dedication, organization and "wanting it".

Lots of things to look into, I truly appreciate everyone's responses from such a wide range of backgrounds!!

Nibbles1 · Jun 15, 2014

I worked every weekend. I graduated Cum Laude. I was tired. I go to nursing school for my LPN to BSN and I work 48 hrs per week. It's all about time management.

NightOwl30 · Jun 15, 2014

Yes mine did. I worked double shifts on the weekend.

abbnurse · Jun 16, 2014

My LPN program was 7:30am - 3:30pm, M-F. When we started clinicals, some days started at 6:30am, and other clinicals were afternoon/ evenings. During your clinicals you probably won't have as much classroom/lecture time.

And yes, I definitely had to work. I worked at a market research company (the folks who call you to take surveys about grocery stores and banks, etc. ). I worked about 32 hours per week, usually 5:00 - 9:30 in the evenings, and both weekend days, something like 10am-6pm or 1:00pm-6:00pm. Btw, it was a great job to have during nursing school, because the atmosphere was laid-back, and I secretly studied my notes a lot (we sat in little cubicles)!

So it is absolutely manageable. I was tired a lot, of course, and didn't have much of a social life, but it was 100% worth it. Good luck to you!