Freaking out, school scheduled changed drastically! What do I do?

[starfishlpn]

I joined the second year of a bi-level RN program at a relatively small rural community college. I chose this school over the other one I was accepted into because they had one 7 hour lecture day and a 12 hour clinical day and I thought that it would allow me the continue to work while in school. I have done very well so far, but this week the schedule for fall was posted and now I am freaking out:eek:.... we now have class three days a week for lecture for like 3 hours then a 12hour clinical on a non-consecutive day. Everyone was ticked because how are we supposed to work when going to school 1-4, you can't work evening or day shift. If you work over the weekend then good luck finishing your clinical paperwork which can literally take hours (clinical is friday and then we have class again on monday).... I am not the only one up set, but I think I may have to quit my job, I know that school requires sacrifice, and I have already dropped my working hours, but I don't get financial aid and loans are minimal and will cover little after tuition and books.... how am I going to pay my rent? food? gas? I was thinking about e-mailing the DON as all of the concerns we have addressed to the instructor has been totally maginalized and completely brushed off. Is this a good idea? or am I over reacting?

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

"United, we stand; divided, we fall."

Since multiple students will be affected by the changes in schedule, it might be a good idea if all of you brought your concerns to the attention of the people who are in charge of the nursing department at your school. One person's complaints might not be enough to persuade anyone to make any substantial changes. Good luck to you!

[Georgia peach RN]

I too am working while going to school. My employer has really been working with me so that I can continue my school schedule, they sometimes allow me to work 1/2 shifts. if the school will not work with you guys you might approach your supervisor at work and see if they will work out a feasable schedule with you.

Hope you can work this out cause it will be well worth it to finish

[starfishlpn]

The problem for me is that, I moved to a more rural area, not just for my school (as I had another option where I am from) but a program that my husband got into as well, and I commute a little over 2 hours every weekend to work and then stay with friends or family whil I am there. I now work 36 hours, but if I have school both monday and friday, well it is no long worth the commute to work only 2 shifts. I think am going to start looking for a prn, part time local job which I expect will pay me a great deal less (but a job is a job) and talk with my manager about possible taking a leave of absence; I looked at the schedule and counted it up, it is only like 8-9 weeks total and there is a holiday or two in there that would allow me to work. Then I'll just have to save up over the summer, to pay my rent up through the semester and get a stafford loan to cover other expenses. I may have to go PRN, I just hope that they have a place for me when I finish becuase I really like my job.

Thanks for the advice guys, I did e-mail the director and our class brought it up again; doesn't look as though it will change.

[NurseLoveJoy88, ASN, RN]

OP I could of written your post myself. My school schedule changes every 7 weeks and many times we don't know until the day before class starts. This is so hard when it comes to planning my work schedule. Talk you your boss and your school. I'm going to email the DON at my school to see if I can change from days to evenings to increase my work availability. I'm so tired of working only two days a week because of school. Just keep in my that this will all pay off. School should be your priority at this point. Just imagine having RN behind your name and all the possibilities it will open up rather career wise or educational wise. Good luck and we are all in this together.