Changing Careers - Help!!

Cindy_A · Apr 10, 2002

I am currently in an ASN program, and I would defintely advise you NOT to work full time! Nursing school is very hard, and way too difficult to work full-time. I know there are some who have done it, with kids too, but I would advise against it if you don't have to. I do work part-time, though.

Jennabugs · Apr 15, 2002

Hi Melissa,

I know what you mean, it is a big choice to make. I am 25 years old, have my BA in Psychology and worked in Mental Health Counseling for two years after graduation. Nursing was something I always was interested in but wasn't fully confident.

It took me awhile to see it was the right choice for me. I will begin part time in a BSN program in the Fall. I am excited but it will be hard. I work full time and need to continue to do so since I live alone and have rent, bills and also need the health insurance!

Let me know how things work out for you. I am nervous to work full time but hopefully I can do it since I will just be taking two classes.

Good luck!

Jennifer

secondcareer · Apr 16, 2002

Go for it. I started working this past January towards my BSN. I also work fulltime as a CNA 11-7 in LTC. I too am single and all the bills are my responsibility. So I have to work fulltime for the health insurnce/ rent money etc. If you can handle it I would go for it.

jschut, BSN, RN · Apr 16, 2002

I have to ask you second_career...how do you do it? I think I may need to go to work full time this semester, butI'm afraid my grades would fail. Do you have study time at work? I work on the weekends, and still hardly have any study time at all! Let me know how youdo it! I need tips!:)

Julie:)

colleen10 · Apr 17, 2002

Hi Melissa,

I am currently working full time during the week days and taking pre-requisites and co-requisites in the evenings at a local Community College so that I can get my ASN.

It really hasn't been that hard on me mostly because I can only take a few classes a semester and I am not into the "nitty grity"(if you will) nursing classes. I'm taking the basics like Psych., A&P, etc.

By taking my co-requisite classes now, technically speaking, when I take my actual Nursing classes and due clinical rotation I will only be a "part time" student because I'll only be taking a few credits a semester. This way I can at least work a part time job while I take my actual nursing classes.

It will take me a little longer doing it this way but I need to be able to pay the bills while in school. I think you'll find when you start looking at nursing schools, especially Community Colleges, that a lot of schools are really trying to work around adult learners schedules and many programs have become flexible.

I will say though that most of the schools I have looked into strictly enforce a "no working while in school" policy or limit the number of hours you can work while in school.

My advice is if you need to work try to do as many of your pre-req's. and co-req's as possible in night school.

Best of luck to you!

Colleen

secondcareer · Apr 17, 2002

Hi Julielpn

I am only working fulltime through this summer since I am only working on my pre-req of anatomy and bio-chem. once I start my nursing classes in the fall I will be droping down to parttime. The local hospital offers benifits for those who work as little as 2ohrs a week. So I will be getting my 20hrs in over the weekend so that during the week I will have all the time I need to study.

Just find a job that is best for you and also allows plenty of time for your studies.