How did you manage LPN school and working?

Moriah02 · Jan 24, 2014

My school recommends not work anymore than 24 hours a week and only on the weekends. My school schedule is Monday thru Thursday from 9 til 5. If you do work on the weekdays then the eight hours that your not at school you will have to study.

cali_dreams · Jan 25, 2014

I am planning to start an LPN program later in the year.

From what I have heard from other students who also work & have children is you have to plan out your free time to a T. By free time I mean when you aren't working, in school or sleeping. You have to be diligent about studying when you aren't working or at school. Use a day planner if needed. Write out even the simplest tasks you need to complete for the week and decide which blocks of time you will complete them.

All things are possible if you really work towards it.

CLUVRN, MSN, RN · Jan 25, 2014

While I did not work in LPN school, I do work in my LPN to RN bridge program as do nearly all of my classmates. Many of them work weekend Baylor shifts (16 hour shifts Sat and Sun) plus perhaps pick up a shift on Friday as we have that day off. You will be sleep deprived, but it is manageable.

PD82 · Jan 25, 2014

I too went from working M-F 7 to 3 as a PCT, to going to VN school M-F so I had to ask my job to allow me to go prn. This allows me to work Sat (and Sun if I want), and on days I get out of class early I can call and see if they need help. Now, your floor/job may not be this flexible, so perhaps they will let you float to other floors?? If not, you may have to look into different facilities. I have kids and need an income so not-working is not an option. Get a planner and stay organized, as soon as you have that down you can map out what days/times you can work. Make one day for yourself/family if possible. My day is Sunday.

Good luck!!

TrinaCNA · Jan 25, 2014

Thanks a lot guys.. I was a little worried about that because not working is not an option. I think I might work 7-3 on saturdays and sundays and then try to pick up like 2 days during the week if I can. I work in a nursing home & I need to have at least 4 days if that's possible. Ill manage though. Thanks for the advice :)

SWM2009 · Jan 26, 2014

I worked 32 hours every weekend and had Monday through Friday free for school. Eventually I had to cut that way down due to the school workload and later on because I had some weekend clinicals. I ended up going PRN and picking up holiday hours and working a lot when we had breaks from school.