Dose work + accelerated BSN program= GPA Suicide?

anurseatlast · Mar 22, 2010

Can you work and do an accelerated program? Yes, but it is not easy. Being in pool will help a lot because there is NO flexibility in accelerated programs. They expect it to be your life - they will not change clinicals, etc. With pool, you should be able to fit some shifts around your school demands.

In the program I did, they told you that you would not be able to work. Most of the students didn't. Some, including me, had to. I actually did a couple of flexible jobs - cleaning our church 2X a week (I could do it at any time and often did it every late at night), I taught a class one evening a week (they wanted me to keep teaching so were will to fit it around MY schedule), and did home care in the evenings and sometimes even in the early am before school. For a while, I had one day a week when I did morning care for a girl with CP before going to school from 8am -5pm, then I went and taught. After teaching, I would go clean until about 1am. Those were killer days but was only once a week. Because my jobs were flexible, I would not work when I had a test or pre-clinical. I did work less the last 2 semesters because of increased family needs.

Is it the ideal to work while in an accelerated program? No. Is it doable? Yes, especially since (I assume) you are older and are not planning to be out partying on the weekend. In spite of all of my responsibilities, I graduated at the top of my class. You just have to manage your time really well. Like you said, you hate to give up that tie that may lead to a job when you get out of school. If working is what you need to do, go for it! It will be hard but it is only a short time - just give yourself a break now and then so you don't burn out!

HM2VikingRN, RN · Mar 22, 2010

I did it. Did I have the best gpa..nope. I have the 2 most important initials see my user name.

Seriously I worked 32 hours a week and made it through. I am interviewing for a MH NP program this week after 2 years of practice. You will be tired all the time, either working, sleeping or studying but you can do it. Just focus on getting through.

Best of luck!

ok2bme · Mar 22, 2010

I worked during my 14 month accelerated BSN program and graduated magna cum laude. I did not, however, have a relationship or children to balance. Others did it in my class though and maintained a high GPA. I've said it many times..what's hard about Acc-BSN programs is not absorbing the content at an accelerated pace, it's completing the careplans and busywork bs on time. Congratulations on joining the few and the proud! :)

RPN_2012 · Mar 22, 2010

If you cut down to 1 12 a week, I think it's doable, as long as your lorkplace is willing to accomodate you clinicals... 'cause if your clilnical happends to be on the same day as your job and if you wanna get that RN next to your name, the clinicals come first...

No to be on your case, but make sure your wife, kids, and parents understand the amount of work you'll be putting into this... It's accelerated, so it' wont be too long, but definately very intense for the whole family! It will pay off big time though, especially if your workplace will hire you right away once you're done! :) Make sure you spend x hrs with wife and kids every week, so they do't feel totaly neglected make it an "appointment" and stick to it! Idk if your wife works, but it would definately help if she at least worked part time, and had the parent babysitting the kids... in an ideal world :)

Why am I even writing this, I think you already know all this, so good luck, you'll get through this! Don't give up!

cna to crna2b · Mar 23, 2010

Thank you for all of your support and suggestions. Will my experience as a CNA and monitor tech help make nursing school a little easier?

RPN_2012 · Mar 23, 2010

I think it wil, you've worked with patients, so you wont be "scared to touch people" lol and I think just being in the hospital environment helps :)