Anyone else working full time and college full time?

Jenn_RN · Apr 20, 2003

Originally posted by KrisMac
Wow. Kind of amazing (and offensive) to see that some think that if we need to work during school it means we will not be "giving it our all". I am a 4.0 student with 2 years of pre-reqs under my belt. I was accepted to a nursing program for this fall that was extremely competitive. I hardly feel that working while going to school has made me not able to do my best. Some of us need to work and have families counting on us for support. To think that the only people in the world that can make good nurses are the ones that can go through 4 years of school with no jobs is an unrealistic expectation. If you are fortunate enough to not need to work due to parents etc. it is rather unfair to criticize those of us that are in a different situation. I will make it through my program because I am determined, hard working, able to prioritize, and I want it so badly. Not because I have someone who can pay my bills for me while I go to school full time. Just had to get that off my chest. :)

*clap clap* I totally agree.

*Edited to add, while I don't work full time, I do work part time, have two children (4, 2), and am expecting a 4.0 this semester. I do believe a 4.0 would qualify as "giving it my all".

marilynmom, LPN, NP · Apr 21, 2003

Susie, I think you can do whatever you set your mind to do! And it depends on the person, some people cant keep a good GPA while working FT and going to school and others can- neither is "bad" or "good", just differences.

I am assuming you dont have any kids so that will make it easier as well with working and finding time to study, etc. I am not in nursing school yet, I am working on my pre-reqs and I have 2 small children at home during the day. I dont often have a lot of time to study during the day because of my kids, but I make all As and Bs because I am determined and I make sure I keep up in my classes.

I am fortunate that we paid off all our bills (no car payment, no credit cards, etc) and we have a low low rent so I dont have to work while in school.

Its very easy for people to criticize others when you are not in their shoes.

Only you know what you can and can not handle but there are people working full time and in nursing school full time so it ovioulsy can be done.

Good luck!!

Marilyn

Paprikat · Apr 21, 2003

I waitressed 5-11pm five nights a week and went to school during the day. I have NO idea how in the world I did it! I cannot possibly think of doing that now!

Angella Walker · Apr 21, 2003

I work full time and take a full credit load each semester, have a husband and take care of 5 children (3 are my biological). People have called me crazy. I just know what it takes. I will never let my family suffer due to my schooling. I can always reduce my credit load. I am managing to survive (so far I have a 3.5 GPA, 3 years into my 4 year plan).

All I can say is that the more responsibilities you have, the more focused your studying becomes. What I don't understand in lecture, I do further study at home. I don't know if it is my age (28) or me being is school for so long that has "taught" me how to study, but I am managing...very well mind you.

I just have the philosophy that if you can't get 90% of what is taught in lecture, you need another cup of coffee :)

I don't worry about grades, If you are prepared you will do fine. A good nights sleep is a big help. Nookie the night before doesn't hurt either!!!

You will get your groove when you start classes. If it is too much for you, drop back.

DON'T GIVE UP YOUR DREAM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

javamom · Apr 21, 2003

I'm 31, have 3 kids and a hubby and there is NO way I in the world I could work. Our program also has a policy about not working over 18-20 hours per week and that the demand they place on your schedule is incredible. We don't have anyone working full time in our class as well. I am willing to bet if I had to work, I'd be out of my program! The time we're required to put in would make it impossible. But you have to do what you have to do. I wish you the best of luck. :)

almondhoney · Apr 21, 2003

I'm pretty much in the same boat as javamom above.

Although last semester I did work part-time up until November. At which time, I had to quit. I was burning out.

And I don't start the Nursing program until September/03.

I was taking Pre-Health, which took up a lot of my time.

There is no way I will be working once I start the Nursing program as I've heard some of the classes run right into the evening (9pm), all the research I'll have to do, papers, etc. Then the kids, husband, can't do it.

Though working maybe on part-time basis mostly weekends would probably be doable. During the week I find (for me), that it's just too difficult. Other studens I've known, who were working during the week, didn't have as high grades as those of us who concentrated only on school, then again I think they weren't really trying.

I'm also a firm believer of 'Where there's a will, there's a way!"

Take note I had a lot on my plate, if you don't have a young family to take care of and spend time with, you may be able to pull it off! I was never home for my children, only saw them in the morning in the van on the way to school.

Good luck to you!

Almondhoney

FutureNurse2005 · Apr 21, 2003

Oh my! I never meant for my post to be offensive! It just seems to me that for some people, if you have too much going on, then something is going to suffer.

I am a married mom of 2 young kids, and I know that if I was to work full time while in school full time, something would not be getting their due attention! Either school would suffer, or work would suffer or even worse, my husband and kids would suffer! 5 years is wayyyyyyy too long for me to put them on the complete backburner, so we have agreed that I will not work while in school.

I'm not saying it cant be done (obviously it can:) ) but I know for myself I would not want to do it.

I'm sorry if my post offended anyone! That was certainly not the intent!

FullMoonMadness · Apr 21, 2003

Im doing both.This summer I am taking 9 hrs. which is full time/summer and working 36 hrs. Its been difficult,but not immpossilbe. My grades aren't the perfct 4.0 anymore,but Im still hanging in there. You just have to sit down and prioritze your time.We eat a lot more sandwiches now, my husband knows how to call Dominos if he needs to. Thankd God,only 2 more semesters to go. Good luck to all of us.

And a p.s. to all of you mothers. My kids are grown and gone. My hat is off to all of you, I don't know if I could keep up with school and small children

AmyLiz · Apr 21, 2003

I'm working 40 hours a week & taking classes part-time. I'm just starting out, so I thought this would be best in my circumstances, since I haven't been a student for almost 10 years. I am planning on taking up to 10-12 credit hours a quarter eventually. Since I've already got a bachelor degree (in psych) a lot of my classes transferred, so I do not have to take a lot of the pre-reqs or gen ed classes. Because of this, I should be able to finish in the same amount of time as someone who went to school full-time (approx 2 years or so). By the time I start my nursing classes, I should have all my A&P, micro, pharm, etc classes under my belt so that I can only take the 1-2 nursing courses per quarter that everyone else does.

It can be done full-time...you just have to be dedicated & well organized.

(with me, I let my housework slide a bit. Husband & daugter try to pick up the slack for me. )

renerian, BSN, RN · Apr 21, 2003

I did it, my son and dtr are doing it now. It is horrible to work full time and do college full time. Very hard years.

renerian

oliviasmom2 · Apr 21, 2003

Right now I am working about 32 hours a week and going to school full time. Both of my children are under the age of 5, so it can get really hard sometimes. I am very lucky in that I have a husband who is great with the kids, so they are well taken care of, I just miss them when I can't be there to tuck them in at night.

Love-A-Nurse · Apr 21, 2003

my hat is off to each of you who are working and in school. it is not easy by any means but it is possible.