CCBC Evening/Weekend Schedule

[BagelBomber, ASN, BSN, RN]

Hello, all!

I've been accepted into the CCBC Essex evening/weekend program, and I'm just wondering if any graduates or current students have advice for juggling work, school and family? I absolutely have to work while in nursing school, I have a ten year old son and I'll also be doing coursework for the Frostburg ATB program. I've read on other forums that working full-time while in nursing school IS possible, but those forums haven't been specifically for CCBC (which I've heard is quite rigorous). I have also had a serious talk with my son about the possibility that our quality time will suffer and I may have to study while I'm at his soccer and basketball games. I'm really excited to get started and I thank you for any and all advice you can offer!

[hon918, ADN, RN]

I'm just finishing up at CCBC, I am doing ATB at Frostburg and have worked full-time. Most people in my evening/weekend class managed to work full-time throughout the program. I don't have kids, but a few people did and made it work. Having some sort of flexibility at work and a good support system at home will definitely make it easier.

First semester can be a bit rough; you're on campus a bit more - 3 nights a week versus 2 later on, since you are taking Frostburg classes. You are getting used to the exams and have to go into lab to practice skills. We also had labs on the weekend for the first 8 or so weeks, either Saturday or Sunday, and they were 3-4 hours long. By the end of October we started clinical, which was both days for 5-6 hours, and I think we did that for 5 weekends. The Frostburg classes seem easier. You'll have 6 or 7 2-week modules, each with a reading and some sort of assignment/discussion board/quiz or paper. The key is managing your time to get it all done - get a good planner and keep track of all your due dates.

[BagelBomber, ASN, BSN, RN]

I'm just finishing up at CCBC, I am doing ATB at Frostburg and have worked full-time. Most people in my evening/weekend class managed to work full-time throughout the program. I don't have kids, but a few people did and made it work. Having some sort of flexibility at work and a good support system at home will definitely make it easier.

First semester can be a bit rough; you're on campus a bit more - 3 nights a week versus 2 later on, since you are taking Frostburg classes. You are getting used to the exams and have to go into lab to practice skills. We also had labs on the weekend for the first 8 or so weeks, either Saturday or Sunday, and they were 3-4 hours long. By the end of October we started clinical, which was both days for 5-6 hours, and I think we did that for 5 weekends. The Frostburg classes seem easier. You'll have 6 or 7 2-week modules, each with a reading and some sort of assignment/discussion board/quiz or paper. The key is managing your time to get it all done - get a good planner and keep track of all your due dates.

Thank you! I hadn't heard anything about the weekend labs so that's really good to know. I have a lot of help from my parents and boyfriend regarding my son's schedule, I just know the mom guilt is going to kill me for a while. I have some flexibility at work, and I've always been really organized. Thanks again for your input!