Full time school and full time job

NOADLS · Feb 1, 2016

I started my NP last year and have managed to juggle shifts with another nurse. It ends up working out because she hates weekends and I don't mind working them. Every other week, I end up stuck with a Monday where I have a day of school following a night of work.

It can be heavy at times. I don't have kids or any other major commitments, so I can handle it. Can you?

RNperdiem, RN · Feb 1, 2016

I have met some people who have done full-time work with full time school. My sister said she spent a year wearing scrubs every day of the week and missing out on sleep. Me and many of my classmates worked part-time, especially on evenings and weekends.

My sister made it work because she had no kids, and lived in an area with a low cost of living.

Would a demanding schedule cause problems with your health? Something to think about.

CT Pixie, BSN, RN · Feb 1, 2016

I worked full time (also a wife and mother of two) all through my LPN schooling as well as during my RN schooling. I'm currently in my last class of my BSN program and I still work full time and now have a part time job.

Is it easy? No. Can it be done? Yes. You need great organizational skills and self dicipline. You need to be able to decided and know what takes priority over something else. What HAS to be done now, what can wait until tomorrow and what can wait a little longer.

sara567 · Feb 1, 2016

I just finished: full time job (50-60 hrs) plus a lot of traveling. Admittedly, some of those hours at work were spent doing schoolwork because I had that luxury. I wouldn't have been able to do it otherwise.

twozer0, NP · Feb 1, 2016

I'm currently working full time plus call (about 45-70 hours a week depending on call) and attending an FNP program full time. My program is hybrid with some classes on campus and some online. I currently have to take every wednesday off for class on campus and its a challenge, especially with call (its not uncommon to work from 8am to 1am). I have two small children, and a wife who also works part time as a nurse. We have a small farmette to care for as well, including livestock. Its a VERY busy lifestyle but I dont want to be doing call the rest of my life. Sure I could move departments but I'm getting paid the most money for my hour invested where I'm at. It takes a lot of planning and organizing of life events, school events, personal time, etc to actually do this. I would say I'm very good at handling stress, others might not be. I also understand that my situation is temporary. Soon I will drop to part time to finish out my program though its only for a limited amount of time. Bottom line is you have to do what is right for you, or your family.

So doable, yep. Recommended, maybe?

%D#2 · Feb 1, 2016

The issue is that the program is 8-4 and my schedule during the week is 12-10. But anything over 30 hours a week is full time.. So if I work 16 hour shift on the weekends, It will be tough but I believe I can do it. I seem to adapt well to schedules. And I would still be at 32 hours a week, with evenings to study during the week. Gonna see if I can work it out. Thanks for all the input

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Feb 1, 2016

Anyone did this? Was thinking of working doubles on weekends and doing school during the week.

I worked 16-hour weekend doubles as an LVN at a nursing home while attending an LPN-to-ASN bridge program out of state. I do not regret my choice of working and attending school one bit.

the program is 8-4

Interesting...my program was 1:00 to 5:00pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays with an 8-hour clinical rotation every Wednesday. I had Mondays and Fridays off.

A school schedule of 8 to 4 on a daily basis would be hellish.

%D#2 · Feb 1, 2016

I worked 16-hour weekend doubles as an LVN at a nursing home while attending an LPN-to-ASN bridge program out of state. I do not regret my choice of working and attending school one bit.
Interesting...my program was 1:00 to 5:00pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays with an 8-hour clinical rotation every Wednesday. I had Mondays and Fridays off.
A school schedule of 8 to 4 on a daily basis would be hellish.

I have to get more info I just read this on the website. All the LPN to RNS program in my area are very accelerated. My other option is to work part time and get health insurance on my own or possibly go for Obamacare.. I had great coverage for my medicines when I was on Medicaid when I was first dx with an autoimmune disease. But the problem was I couldn't find any specialists so I'd have to have my primary manage my condition again.. Which wasn't terrible. I'm very nervous but I can't stop here. I have to get my RN and I think taking a hit of less money or not as good insurance will pay off in the long run. Since it will be one year out of my life. Then again I probably won't stop there with school lol