Another thread about work and school

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Hello! Just wanted to hear someone elses opinion. I will be starting the ADN program this fall and working 3 days a week. I had no problem with working 5 days a week while taking pre-reqs and have a GPA of 3.7. However, recently my friends (already in the program) have been telling me that I'm going to have a really hard time and I'm starting to doubt myself. Since I'm single, have no children, live at home, and currently work in a hosp. as a phleb, I feel that I will be greatly challenged but handle it. My boyfriend who is an RN is usually very supportive but even he tells me I'll be pushing it. Quitting work is not an option due to having health ins. and paying for the car to get to school. Please tell me there are others who went through the nursing program while working even more and having children. I know that I'll do fine because I've already worked so hard, and I want this more than anything, but I just need to hear some encouragement from some others who have been there and how it worked out for you.

Specializes in Telemetry, Stepdown.

I don't start nursing school until the fall, but I'm only working on sat and sundays. I'm just going to take it day by day and see if it works out. People have also recommended me about not working also. However, I have a friend who worked 3 days, with a daughter that just graduated from ADN school.

i've had classes with people that worked 40 hour weeks and graduated with honors. i've worked with people that didn't work at all and failed out the first quarter.

i belive the answer lies with you and the amount of support you receive from your family and friends. i graduated with honors and worked prn. some weeks i wouldn't work at all, perhaps i had an exam coming up. some weeks i worked 3 days a week.

i think 3 days a week is doable if you have no other responsibilities but you'll have to see how your program goes. if it starts affecting your grades, slack off with the hours. oh, and don't wait until there's no point of return. if your grades slide in the beginning, don't say "i'll see what my grade is after this next exam."

good luck. :)

It totally depends on you. It's true that it's difficult to work and go to nursing school, but it's entirely possible. It just depends on YOU: what you're willing to sacrifice, your study habits, your job, etc. Listen to others' advice, but in the end you'll just have to try it and see if it works for you. I worked 15 hours a week, and it was fine, I just had a little less time for my friends/family. And to be honest, the hours I was working (Friday nights, Sat and Sun mornings/early afternoons) were not times that I would have been studying anyway, so I don't think it effected my studying, I still did fine.

I'll also be working every other weekend, four days out of the month, while taking my nursing courses. One of the first things my instructor said was that she highly recommended that any of us who were working quit. However, she admitted that there have been loads of nurses who worked full time and succeeded with passing the course. I already knew this, having several friends who work 40 hour weeks and who are now RN's. I reckon this just means that, when off, study your hiney off and forget about having a social life until you graduate.....Hahha

Jen2,

Only you know how much you can take. I have friends who are married, have children, worked full and part-time jobs and still did great in nursing school....and a few graduated with honors. I've been thinking about getting a part-time job also.....I'm still thinking about it....:confused: I want to do great in school but I also need to supplement the family's income. Like I said, think about it long and hard....

Hugs,

Fatima (who's waiting for her letter any day now)

I am married with 5 children and work full time and attend school full time. A big part of it is your study style. I am not one to go home an study for an ungodly amount of hours. If I don't get in in lecture or clinical, I will review my books. Other than that, the books don't get opened.

I am like a sponge in lecture and it sticks. Looking at written words on paper just doesn't do it for me.

BTW I graduate with my BSN summer of 2004.

I agree with everyone else! It depends on you and your study habits!

Personally, I will not be working as I want to give 150% to my program. It is very important that I do well, as I plan to continue on for my Masters. I need to have excellent grades (GPA of 4.0!!) to be accepted into the Masters program.

Many people work and go to school and graduate.

Best of luck to you!:D

Specializes in MS Home Health.

I went to nursing school,worked two jobs had two kids under 2. I just finished my masters, working full time, school full time, with three kids at home, two off in college. It can be done.

renerian

You are the only one who can decide what is best for you. Try working with the three days and see if you can handle it...

My thought are you can.

Good Luck and keep us postd on how you do!

Thanks everyone so much. It is so nice to hear about others who have done this and are doing this. This is the only option I have so I guess I'll have to play the hand I'm dealt and make lemonade with the lemons. I know I'll be fine as long as I make time each and every night to study. Thank you all for your kind words of encouragemnet and I'll let you know how it all goes.

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