Night and Weekend Program???

Nurses General Nursing

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My school offers a night and weekend nursing program that is partially funded through area hospitals. The schedule is tues & thurs from 5-10 and every other weekend it's sat & sun from 7-7 both days. I'm thinking about trying to get onto this program being that I have to continue working full time (day job) to pay the bills. I'm concerned about having enough time to study, etc. I can study sometimes during slow times at work which is a plus, but it can't be counted on all the time.

I had previously decided that I would try the regular day time program and find another job to work around my schedule or sell/rent my house out so I could afford only working part time somewhere, but I've been thinking about the night/weekend program again and just stay where I'm at. Just curious if anybody else has done it and if it worked for you or not....

I posted this in the student forum as well, but didn't get any responses, so I thought I'd try here.

pagandeva2000, LPN

7,984 Posts

Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.

Is this an LPN or RN program? I ask this because I hear of such schedules more for LPN programs; and they usually run for about 15-18 months. If it can fit into your schedule, and you are in school alternate weekends, it can probably work. No matter how you slice it, you must have excellent prioritization and time management skills. Best of luck to you!

Pinkster

180 Posts

Specializes in Cardiac.

Our school has this option for both RN programs and the LPN-RN bridge. They have it so people can still work and have school, they probably would only want you working part time though. I don't know how it works out for people, but our school is thinking about not even offering it because it doesn't seem to be filling up anymore. *shrugs*

lklin09

63 Posts

I am in a night and weekend RN program (15 months). I am in school Mon-Thursday and Saturday(when no clinical) and clinicals on Saturday and Sundays. I work 8:30-5:00 M-F and school starts at 5:30. It can be done but it takes a lot of dedication and family/friend support. My husband has basically become a single parent. I see my children in passing. I study in the morning before work, during lunch hours, breaks at school, after I get out of school and any other free time I can find. It was a family decision to do this this type of program before I started. I am doing pretty good and loving school. I wish I could quit my job but I am not in a posistion to do that.

Because of the type of hours I am in school and working, I am sleep deprieved and cranky but I have a very supportive family and great friends. That is what keeps me going.

BTW, in my area you can be an ICU tech or patient care tech after you have nursing concepts. A lot of my classmates, quit their 8-5 jobs and became ICU techs, etc working 2-3 12 hour shifts around class.

You will find the school that works for your situation. Good luck.

myty23

101 Posts

It's an RN program and it lasts 5 semesters. From what I understand, the sponsoring hospital actually selects the students it wants to be in the program and the clinicals are mostly done at that sponsoring hospital.

untamable07

108 Posts

I am two semesters away from graduating from a adn night and weekend program. i work full time m-f 8-5 school is at 6pm and clinicals on Sat. and Sun. I am married with two kids. It does get difficult because you never have time to do anything but work and study. You have to take advantage of the times you don't have clinicals to be with family and friends. I try to study at work and on my lunch break to try and keep up. It is definitley worth it. it was the best thing my school created for the working class.

mpccrn, BSN, RN

527 Posts

Specializes in ICU.

it sounds like a completely do-able situation, allowing for both a job you need to eat and an attainable goal to work towards. remember, it's for a limited time. you can do anything when you see the finishing line! good luck. it's the best of both worlds. :D

APUalyssa*

86 Posts

Specializes in Interested in ER, L&D, Surg/Med.

well just remember you can do anything you set your mind to.

it sounds really do-able and as someone stated before, it isnt a permanent thing. soon you will graduate and be able to make good and doing what you want to do.

so again its temporary and try your best!

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