I'm Tired of Being Told That I Can't Work and Attend Nursing School Simultaneously

[Plagueis]

I am currently a CNA who has been accepted into LPN school, which starts next month. I am thrilled beyond belief. However, ever since my acceptance, I have been hearing from former students and nursing teachers who tell me that I should not work at all during the program because the program will take up all of my time outside of school. (I guess that nursing students should say "goodbye" to SO's and kids for the year, too.) I also see posts from other nursing students on this site who are told the same thing.

For the record, if I could take nearly a year off from work in order to devote myself fully to the program, I would. However, I am a single parent who doesn't have parents, grandparents, a boyfriend or wealthy friends I could move in with, or borrow living expenses from. My rent, utilities, and food expenses, for instance, still have to be paid during the program (which ends next June), and this is the same for other students in my LPN program. I realize that other students in the past may have had some issues with working while in school, but it doesn't mean that all students will not be able to work while attending nursing school. In fact, I know of a few LPNs who graduated from my program who worked full-time during the program. Of course, I am told that they are the exception. Well, maybe I will be an exception as well.

I know that the warnings about working are based on past students' problems, but when I keep hearing about it, it discouraged me somewhat, like they expected me to fail. However, I have decided to embrace the warning, and prove people wrong when I finally become a nurse next year. It just really irks me when people say no nursing student should ever work during school, that they will drop out, for example, when I read of nurses on this site who have done it.

[alabastershadow]

here's the gospel from an lpn student...well former.

I worked a whopping 16 hours a week through school. had no problems. most people dropped out of work so they could have weekends off.

we had NO ONE in school who held down 40 hours. But i say it's because we didnt want to.

You are a cna. if you can handle 16's on saturday and sunday. most places will give you the other 8.

chec k it out.

[nevergiveup2011]

Hi I am a single working mom who is going back to school in about two weeks. I tried going to school full time and working part time and because of marital problems and a nasty divorce gave up school and had to start working full-time because I had no choice. I now am being given a chance to go back to the program I was in but to have to stay full time on the job and will most likely go part time through school. I have all of my science and liberal arts classes done and just need the nursing courses. I don't have much choice--need to pay the bills. Have 3 children aged 17, 15 & 11. I just hope I can stay organized and do it!