Full time college student and CNA ?

[Brennavikara]

Hi everyone,

I'm currently a full time college student with plans of finishing my pre requisites by next semester and going on to apply to nursing schools in my area. I've decided to take a CNA class over the summer before my next semester starts to get started with my healthcare career, and am going to try to get a job after the training course is over.

I wanted to know if anyone has had experience going to school full time while also having a job as a CNA, and if/how you were able to handle doing both. I managed somehow to get my schedule next semester so that I'm only going in three days a week, Tuesday Wednesday and Thursday, and I'm only taking 12 or 13 credits, so I was thinking I'd be able to work any/all of the four days I have completely off, or even on two of the days I have classes since I'm out by 1.

I'd love to hear anyone's advice or experience with this.

Thanks !

[Jcgirl]

I work pt at 24 hours a week on midnights, while attending class 3 days a week. It is feasible, just learn to balance and stay organized.

[YueCoolJ]

It is. Very hard to do if you work five days a week. But if you do a 12 hour day then it can be done. Most people who are in school full time work the weekend only. Not only that most faculty needs weekend staff. So depends o. Your work scdehule. Get online classes if need be also. you have to decided what's more important work or school. Which is getting harder to do these days.

[SweetSouthernLove, ASN, BSN]

I have been working 24 hours, 2 12 hour shifts a week for the past year and going to college full-time. It is completely doable. I think when you get into a nursing program your devotion may shift a bit to more school, less work, and that is perfectly normal. School is the most important, think of the long run. Work and school are inevitable unfortunately, but if you can manage both and learn to prioritize (which I am sure since you have been in college you have mastered) and really are passionate about what you want your life can definitely be manageable with work and school together, your social life just may take a backseat for awhile. It will be all worth it in the end.

[verene, MSN]

I think it depends on the person. My sister went to school full-time and worked 16 hours a week as a CNA. It took a lot of organization on her part and having a limited social life but she did it for a while. (Eventually quit because of problems with the nursing home, but that's another story). I think her schedule was 4 days class, 2 days work, and 1 day doing homework/sleeping.

I go to school part-time and work part-time as a CNA, I don't think I'd want to do more of either at this point in time, but that is me and my current schedule. (class 3-4 days, three 8 hour shifts, and 6 hours volunteering per week means I just don't have time that works). I could see it being doable in a different situation though.