Getting Your BSN Question???

HealthyRN · Apr 15, 2008

Do you have a job lined up yet? It's hard to give advice since all facilities are different and handle scheduling different. Most floor nurses do work 3 12-hour shifts/week with every other weekend. Whether these are 3 12-hour in a row depends on how much flexibility you are given over the scheduling and if you want to work them in a row. During orientation, you will work your preceptor's schedule. Some hospitals do offer a weekend option, where you work every weekend and not during the weekdays. In my experience, it is usually experienced nurses that get hired into these positions.

I think it's great that you want to keep going for your BSN! I'm all about education and it's easier when you are still in "school mode". Just keep in mind that the first year as a nurse is notoriously stressful. I would share your plans to continue your education with future employers and make sure that they are willing to support you in this. I would also consider going part-time for the first semester, just to make sure that you don't put too much on your plate.

Tweety, BSN, RN · Apr 15, 2008

It can vary. Employers usually work around school schedules, so make it known PRIOR TO YOU STARTING THE JOB what it is that you need to see if their requirements fit in with your requirements.

jjjoy, LPN · Apr 18, 2008

It's really tough to predict what your schedule might be. If you can easily get a refund if a class is dropped, then I'd think you might as well sign up for a few classes at different times and hope that one of them will work with your new schedule. But just drop them them if they don't work out.

The first year is often tough, and as another noted, you might not want too much else on your plate as you start your new job... so you could consider it a blessing in disguise if you have to wait a term to continue classes.