How many hours did you work during prerequisites?

Nursing Students Pre-Nursing

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I have been living abroad but am returning to the US, to start my prerequisites, I already signed up for a CNA class for as soon as I get back. I would just like a rough idea of how many hours people have worked/ been able to handle from personal experience. I know I need to find my own suitable amount, however, it's nice to hear others experiences.

Thank you!

Specializes in MICU RN.

Depends really what kind of class you're taking but.. I managed straight A's with 40-50 hours work/week and usually just 7 credits a semester. I crammed a lot more into the summer session so I'd be a little careful not to overwhelm yourself in summer even if it seems tempting to finish prereqs faster. In the end was able to finish all Prereqs in 1 year starting in summer term and finishing this Spring. Good luck!

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I worked ~50 hours a week while taking 1 science, 1 lab and 1 non-science, so ~7 credits.

In my first degree I worked two jobs, so about ~50 (sometimes more) hours a week while pursuing full time. It actually seems more full as an "adult" learner because I like to spend time with my husband and our 2 dogs, and I also prioritize exercise.

You can make a lot work if you "have" to :)

I see a lot of people on here that have very supportive jobs/jobs where they can study at work, so it really depends on your situation. This wasn't my case because I actually feared termination if my job found out (I was previously a financial analyst, and as of last week I'm unemployed to enjoy my time until I start school in May!), so I took EVERYTHING online and never talked to anyone about school until I actually got in.

If you are willing and able to not work full time, you could start there. I would say it's more important to get solid pre req grades!

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Specializes in Critical Care, Trauma.

I worked full time while taking classes part time. A few quarters I went full time and it wasn't too bad. You definitely have to make the time to get your work done, though. Lots of late nights and early mornings.

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about 35+ hours a week, 18-20 credits, straight A's. It's doable but all depends on your personal support system

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Specializes in Critical Care.

I worked a full time, 9-5 job while taking my pre-reqs. However, I only took one class at a time and I took the classes online (A&P) or self-studied (algebra & chem) to brush up on things.

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32 hours. A pain at tines trying to find classes to work around your work schedule.

For Fall 16 did 6am to 830am classes MW and a class Monday 11 to 230 and Wednesday 11 to 1230. Only day couldn't work was Monday.

This Spring class Tuesday and Thursday eve. A class Friday 8 to 2. Work has been pretty cool giving me days off Tuesday and Thursday.

This coming Fall bit nervous because classes have to take have to be either MW mornings and eves or TR mornings and eves. Plus taking an online class. So 3 classes. Hope work will be cool asking I can only work MWFSSu

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I worked ~50 hours a week while taking 1 science, 1 lab and 1 non-science, so ~7 credits.

In my first degree I worked two jobs, so about ~50 (sometimes more) hours a week while pursuing full time. It actually seems more full as an "adult" learner because I like to spend time with my husband and our 2 dogs, and I also prioritize exercise.

You can make a lot work if you "have" to :)

I see a lot of people on here that have very supportive jobs/jobs where they can study at work, so it really depends on your situation. This wasn't my case because I actually feared termination if my job found out (I was previously a financial analyst, and as of last week I'm unemployed to enjoy my time until I start school in May!), so I took EVERYTHING online and never talked to anyone about school until I actually got in.

If you are willing and able to not work full time, you could start there. I would say it's more important to get solid pre req grades!

You kray kray and awesome.

I feel overwhelmed working 32 hours and doing 2 sciences and 2 labs. Add in training for a marathon. Have 3 days off a week. 2 days homework, days before work study time/run, day off exercise/family. If I could work 1 prn night shift job 40 to 48 be doable.

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Is everyone able to keep their grades (GPA) high whilst working pt/ft? Thank you for the responses...xx

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I was until I got to comfortable and I stopped studying like I should have which led me not to pass my final exam and my grade dropped from an A to a B. Procrastinating will be the death of me.

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Specializes in Psychiatric/Mental Health, Med-Surg, Corrections.

I'm in my last semester of prerequisites. Currently working 24 hours a week but also taking 17 units. My 17 units are microbiology, human development, public speaking, philosophy, political science, and an accelerated PE class. It's doable but only because I don't need to spend as much time studying as most people seem to.

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Specializes in Psychiatric, Med-Surg.

36 hours Full time work for Full time Prereq's online (one class per month). Once I hit nursing core, dropped to 24 hours per week (2 12 hour shifts weekends) with in-person classes Monday thru Friday. It's still difficult to do with part time work, but I do well, so it's not too bad.

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40 full time, will be doing 44 per week during Nursing School

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