Grad School with Full-time employment

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I am in need of advice!

I currently work at a hospital working 3, 12-hour shifts like most other nurses. However, I have an opportunity to work at a job (I need to give them an answer by Friday) that would be paramount to helping my career. However, it is a M-F position.

My question is clinicals...how can I get the requirement in? Is anyone else in the same position?

I figure I cannot be the only nurse that would be in a grad program for an NP that works M-F.

Any advice would be GREATLY appreciated.

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

I too worked full time and did grad school plus two post-MSN certificates. I used PTO, I did clinicals at off-times like nights and weekend.

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Specializes in CT ICU, OR, Orthopedic.
I too worked full time and did grad school plus two post-MSN certificates. I used PTO, I did clinicals at off-times like nights and weekend.

Anything can be done if you really want to do it. The biggest question I have, is do you have small

Children? That has always been what made getting my hours in difficult. As traumaRUs pointed out you can do clinicals on off shifts, or take PTO. Will it be difficult? Hell yes! Do I think it would be insane to attempt... Yep, but I know people who have done it!!

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Specializes in Family Practice, Urgent Care.

I know one student who used PTO for her clinical days (she works m-f), but knew eventually she would have to go PRN towards the end of the program when the clinical hours are heavy. Not sure how you would be able to do clinic too working 40 day time hrs a week. I know in my program (FNP), they require the majority of our clinical hours to be in family practice which is usually day time hours. I guess it depends on your program and where your professors will allow your sites to be.

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Hi, Jory

I was also working full time and going to school. As I progress more into the program and will be entering clinical soon, I am currently in our job Weekender program ( Just started this week!!!). Meaning that I just work Saturday and Sundays only. I still received full benefits and PTO as well. I would definitely look into your job and see if any opportunity are offered. My job was aware that on our unit, many people are in school and work diligently to assist with our school schedule.

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As mentioned before the PTO option is there but you could also look into taking a leave of absence when clinical hours are the heaviest.

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Specializes in Peds Med/Surg; Peds Skilled Nursing.

At the beginning of my program i worked full time during the and most of my classes were online. As made physical assessment class (8 hr class on campus currently taking ) and my clinical year are approaching i knew it would be difficult and i found a new job working a weekend program in acute care peds. i just work 24 hours a week (sat/sun) getting paid for full time hours. and i have my mon-fri cleared for class and clinical days.

Yes itsometimes sucks to work every weekend but it was the easiest way for my to get my clinical in and it wont be forever.

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