Do you work while in the transition program?

Stella_Blue · Jun 28, 2013

Yes I work, but I only work part time. I work about 3 maybe 4 days a week. When I do work 4 days a week that is pushing it for me. Luckily where I work, its very low maintenance plus I work thirds, so I get plenty of study time in. I get a great majority of my studying done at my job actually.

CT Pixie, BSN, RN · Jun 30, 2013

I graduate in December from an lpn program. I'm thinking if I should work or not or if its doable. I know most transition programs aren't as tedious as the traditional RN program. And it's a little less in classroom and clinicals.

My LPN to RN classes were no less tedious and we spend just as much time in the class and clinicals as the students who did the traditional route. Because, well, we were with the traditional students in the RN classes.

My State's bridge program allows LPN's to enter into the 2nd year of nursing classes of an ADN program. So we have/had just as much class, clinical time and work as the non-LPN's.

I did work full time during my bridge program. If I had a choice I would have stopped working all together during the program.

sMoLsNurse · Jun 30, 2013

I'm in a part-time program and I work per diem about 2-3 shifts per week.. Sometime more, sometimes less if there is a test that week. It's been a lot of reading and studying so far.

swansonplace · Jun 30, 2013

I think it depends on the person. But I would never sacrifice my GPA for working part-time. So if you can keep your GPA up and work, then it's not a problem, but if you can't keep it above 3.5, well no. I would not do it. Some students worked per diem for a hospital. That way if they had school work, they were not required to work and their work helped them at school. Also, when they finished they could get a job offer right away. At my school, the students that worked had a much harder time keeping up.

LadyFree28, BSN, LPN, RN · Jul 1, 2013

My LPN to RN classes were no less tedious and we spend just as much time in the class and clinicals as the students who did the traditional route. Because, well, we were with the traditional students in the RN classes.

^This.

I went to a part time accelerated BSN program with the traditional students because I had NO choice to stop paying a mortgage and bills and everything else. It allowed me to be able to keep my job. And it was just as intense in terms of research papers and mock proposals, public health rotations in clinics or home health or shelters, you name it-C-Sections, births, PP, nursery, NICU, Peds rotations with rotation to OR and ER, PACU ER, and Med Surg of course. My BSN education was just as intense and well rounded as my PN program.

I went straight through Fall-Fall as a two year program, two nights a week, every other weekend clinicals, flexibility to have weekday clinicals, which I did when offered. I also had to complete univeristy requirements...three classes, one I took during nursing course, two accelerated courses so I could complete my requirements and have my information sent up to the BON. My job was very flexible. I worked 10-11 hours for two days and 1-2 days 8 hr shifts.

I graduated with a 2.89 average, and I am proud of that...I'm sure it would've been higher if I was able to work less, but wouldn't have changed a thing. Totally satisfied with my educational experience :yes:

HippyDippyLPN · Jul 1, 2013

I will be working full time while I do pre reqs for my bridge part time. I plan on completing all co reqs during this time as well so that when I enter the clinical portion I will only need one to two days off a week for that. The bridge program at my CC does put you in the second year of the ADN program but you have less clinical hours to be completed than the regular ADN students. We are a seperate clinical rotation than the regular ADN students as well since its accelerated.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Jul 2, 2013

I attended an LPN-to-RN transition program for 14 months and worked as an LVN in a nursing home during the entire time. I attended school on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, and worked two 16-hour weekend double shifts per week at the nursing home every Saturday and Sunday.

Elle23 · Jul 2, 2013

I worked full time the whole time I was in the transition program. Had school/ clinicals Mon, Tues, Wed, Thurs during the day and worked 3 12-hour night shifts Thurs, Fri, Sat.

I get exhausted just thinking about it!

I only did it because I had no choice. It was tough, but I was a young whippersnapper back then and managed to make it through. However, I would be the first to say it was not ideal.

CLUVRN, MSN, RN · Jul 2, 2013

Add me to the list! Currently in a bridge program evenings 5p-11p Mon-Thurs, do 12hr private duty peds or hospice shifts (depending on which one of my agencies I'm working for) nights Fri, Sat, and Sun. It's tiring, but you do what you have to do.

Vocationofalifetime · Jul 2, 2013

I'm also working full-time peds in a home health agency; my shifts are 12s and I work 3-1/2 a week, Friday through Mondays. It keeps me connected and able to practice my nursing skills, especially assessment. I don't have an option to not work and I am very grateful for the privilege to work with clients and their families.

Leslie