Hybrid program of sorts?

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Hi all,

I'm currently a full time firefighter that works 24 hours on with 48 hours off. I also work prn as a tech in the burn unit at a major hospital in the area. I live in Kansas City Missouri. I'm looking for a way to get into a nursing program. I'm not worried if it's an Lpn, Adn or bsn program. I'm trying to locate a hybrid setting where I can still work my jobs and complete my courses online and do my clinicals around at area hospitals. I'm noticing lots of bridging programs, but nothing that gives me an opportunity to get into nursing. Any advice would be appreciated, I know there are options out there somewhere.

Thank you!

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Specializes in mental health / psychiatic nursing.

Western Governor's University may be an option for you. I think they offer some kind of hybrid program even for pre-licensure students.

That being said, you may wish to reconsider the time commitment of holding two jobs while trying to do nursing school. Even hybrid program it is still likely to be a full-time commitment to school, and I suspect still has little flexibility in when and where you clinical assignments are. I personally am also somewhat skeptical of a pre-liscensure student going through a program that has such limited face-to-face time with faculty and other students, and would urge you to really research how this program may be viewed by potential employers before applying.

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Specializes in M/S, LTC, Corrections, PDN & drug rehab.

WGU's pre-licensure program is currently available in these states.

WGU is currently recruiting students for programs in California, Texas, Florida, Indiana and Utah.

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Thanks for your response. My issue is getting an initial certification or licensure. It appears that from there you can just bridge to everything online.

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Specializes in Critical Care, Education.

I believe that WGU Texas is not accepting new students at this time due to low NCLEX results.

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Specializes in M/S, LTC, Corrections, PDN & drug rehab.
I believe that WGU Texas is not accepting new students at this time due to low NCLEX results.

Great update, kinda not surprised though. I'm not saying WGU is terrible. The program probably needs retooling since NCLEX pass rates are so low.

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With the exception of WGU and its limited offerings there are no other on-line pre-licensure programs available. You might be able to complete some pre-requisites in an on-line format but actual nursing classes will have to be through a brick and mortar school. And well they should be.

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I would look around at local schools to see what their programs and schedules are. How busy are your normal 24 hour shifts? Do you usually have enough downtime to sleep/study? Will your coworkers/employer work with your schedule to allow you to attend classes? Could you possibly get set 24 hour days instead of a rotating schedule? I did all of my non-nursing classes before starting the program with as many of those online as possible so that I could work full time during that period. What that meant was that by the time I was actually in the program my nursing classes were only 3/4 time and I could still work during the program. I chose not to take nursing classes in the summer so that I could work more and save up money for the fall/spring semesters. It took me longer to get through the program than it would have otherwise, but I completed it.

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