Encouragement For Full-Time working Students

[Melly1022]

I would like some encouragement, please. I KNOW there are people out there who have to work 40 hours a week, yet still are able to get their nursing degree. However, I have gone to couselors at 2 different community colleges here in Tampa Florida and they have both discouraged me from entering the nursing program because I work full time. I don't get it. If there is such a shortage, and employers see an advantage to hiring middle aged people to work for them, why aren't there more programs that will work with a person who is exploring nursing as a second career? Can anyone give me some encouragement so I don't give up and go away? I'm convinced that would be a big mistake. Thanks!

[SarasotaRN2b]

Hi Melly, I'm not surprised that was the response that you received from the nursing school counselors. Their goal is to have students that are able to finish the program, and they feel that any attention other than that won't work. I'm not saying that it can 't be done, as there are probably many on this board that have succeeded, but it will be tough. It's important to realize that it isn't only the hours in class and clinicals you need to have time for but also the studying and preparations for clinicals which could be very time consuming.

I would also think though it would depend on your job...is it flexible enough that you can do the nursing? Do you have some time coming to you if you need to take off days here and there so you can handle the possible unexpected school needs? If the answer is yes, then go for it.

Good luck!

Kris

[RoxanRN]

I would agree with mccnrs2b. Counselors want to make sure candidates will be able to finish the program without distraction. I had a counselor tell me taking 8 credit hours (a 3 hour gen ed and a 5 hour A&P) and working a full time (ER Tech) AND a part time (paramedic) job would be too much for me and my class work would suffer. I very 'politely' told him I had no choice - either give me more financial aid (so I didn't have to work) or shut up! I passed the semester with a 4.0. :w00t:

I had to continue working full and part time during nursing school. I had bosses who were very understanding and co-workers (actually, 4 of us were in a nursing school somewhere) willing to rearrange the schedule to accomadate.

Personally, I think it can be done, but it will be difficult. You definitely have to have the commitment to see it through and others who will help you along the way (work scheduling, child care, etc).

Good luck. Be sure to take advantage of all the experience on this board as a source of direction and help.

Roxan

RN

[traumaRUs, MSN, APRN]

Personally (and it may be because I'm a mean old lady), I don't see as how its any of their business if you work fulltime. You are only committing to completing their degree program and how you do is on you. I worked full time as a medical transcriptionist while in LPN school and then worked full-time (nights) as an LPN while in the ADN program. This was in the early 90's and no one even asked me if I was going to work. They just gave me the old song and dance that school takes xxxx amount of hours a week. I was an adult and knew that working fulltime was going to be hard. However, it was necessary.

[LYNNORA]

I worked 3 shifts a weeking while finishing RN progam, 1 shift on Saturday and 2 shifts at different facilities on Sunday. I had my weeknights to study. I went an entire year without a day off as i would pick up every extra holiday. I managed to support myself while renting a room near the school for $80.00 a month and eating mostly cornbread. A plate of rice at the hospital where i did my clinicals was .90 cents and thats what i ate most days while there. Its possible to do but it was hard. Well worth it in the end. As i look back on those days it was some of the funnest times i have had.

[Tony35NYC]

Hello, Melly.

Stop telling them that you work full-time. In fact, its none of their business whether you work or not so don't even mention it during your interview. Yes, you can get a nursing degree and work full time. I did it for almost 4 years, and I know many people who worked full time all throughout school.

[DragonflyShell]

I am just finishing up my first year of nursing and, I work full-time. It is difficult and my program, too, discourages anyone working full-time. I make mine even more complicated with two little children. It's hard to do but if you have the ambition and if your job is flexiable, then you should do fine. I find myself with a little more stress but I've been managing it. I'm about to take the PN summer course and I am actually cutting my 40 hours to 24 but only for the 6 week course and I'm back to full-time and will be throughtout my second year of nursing.

I work because I have to. Sometimes you don't have a choice.

Good luck to you, hugs, Shell