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.
Working during NS is definetly hard. So I would say you could work but not too many hours, seriously. NS. is like nothing anyone has ever done before. You never know what your in for until you start. But you can try it and if it becomes too much then just try to work as little hours as possible and try to get financial assistance from the government.
Maybe some people just can't but I didn't have a problem and neither did a majority of my peers. I worked a min of 30 hours a week through LPN and ADN school and graduated among the top of both classes. It wasn't all that bad and far better than using my savings and not making any income. Sheesh I made over $100,000 during those three years! No way would I have quit working just so I could "focus" on school. Apparently my focus was fine, I've got RN behind my name now.
I am one of those that work while in the nursing program. I had a baby 6 months ago before I started the program, I must admit that it was hard for me to get through the first semester but I did...
People who are in the program to give their children a better future are determined beyond what is possible to the eyes of those who do not need to work and do not have children. I did go to work everyday after every class and clinicals, I go home at 10 pm, study till 2 am, get up at 4am to get ready for my clinicals at 6 am.
If i did it and a lot of the people here made it...there is nothing that will hinder us in getting to where we need to go. It is a matter of time management and discipline.
GOOD LUCK TO ALL OF US WHO CANNOT STOP WORKING AND STILL GO TO SCHOOL:yeah::yeah:
By the way, I am a new member here and it has been great reading all the posts. I know that this forum will help me get through the program
I worked full time when I went to PN school. I had a husband and 4 small children ages 1-7 at home. 14 years later I am in the last semester of the ADN program. I still have 2 children at home, ages 4 & 17, one in college 19, and 2 married with families of their own, 4 grandchildren. I also work full-time. I did it, am doing it, and will continue to do it when I transfer to BSN program. I am crazy most days, defeated on some but know that it can be done. Have a support system with friends and this forum to tell you that you can do it when you feel overstressed. It is possible with determination and perserverance. I would also advise you to loose the "I have to get an A mentality". At the end when you have your license, no one will know if you got A's or C's. Also remember that a C means you are average. You know the content as well as most. That said...once I lost the "have to get an A" mentality, I actually started to do great with A's and B's at semester grade time. Do not put added stress on yourself by having to get all A's. You will make yourself crazy!
You have to do what you have to do. We also had to sign that we wouldn't work more than X amount of hours during the program. Umm, I had to work over those hours to keep my medical insurance. I signed, knowing full well, I would be working more than they wanted.
I worked full time, I have 2 children who are very involved in sports and activities (I am not the kind of mom who "drops and runs" with my kids. I stay with them and watch (to support them, they always did better knowing I was cheering them on). I have a hubby AND I went to school M-F 6 1/2 hrs a day every week for 15 months. I did not miss anything, I went to all games, practices, plays, etc at their schools. I still was able to visit with my friends/family and have a relationship with my husband. Was the time spent with family/friends as much as it was pre-nursing school..nope..but I can't say that I said goodbye to everyone and everything during school.
I just graduated with high honors. It CAN be done!
I happened to notice during graduation ceremony, ALL of the students that obtained honors or high honors were those of us who worked full time and the majority of us had kids to raise! None of the people who didn't work got honors.
Its not true that if you work during NS you will fail out! Some people can do both, some people can't.
Tommybabe, you can do anything you put your mind to. That being said, I have four children and work three 12 hour shifts a week as a CNA. It is all about scheduling your days. I am starting the nursing program in August and was discouraged after the orientation too. I talked with several people who have made it through and no one told me that this was mission impossible except the school. The tips I got were to schedule a night to hang with the kids everyweek. Things like the dollar show or a board game or what ever. That way I can stay connected with them. Top Priority! Second, I have asked my sister to help by having friday dinners. She will come here with her son and feed and entertain my kids while I put in study time at her house. I dont know if you have any options like that but now is the time to turn to your freinds and family for support. I also will be taking my texts to kinkos to have them undone so that I can carry around the few chapters we are working on in school so that I can read or review while at work, sitting in the car, at a kids lax game, etc. Start planning your days down to the half hour and stick to your plan. If you take a nap when your kids go to bed at eight and get up at ten and put in two or three hours of study then go to bed yourself, you will be getting everything done. This is a challange and it sounds like you are up to it. You will be teaching your kids such a wonderful lesson. "You can do anything you want to as long as your willing to try hard." That is something that kids cannot be taught only shown. You go and get it done and watch how impressed your children will be. Later in life, they will never take no for an answer for something that they really want to do. That is priceless. Good Luck. I am cheering for you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I couldn't agree with you more!!! I HAVE to work - I don't have the luxury of having a husband who is able to support myself and our daughter while I go through school. He doesn't make nearly enough for me to do that! Plus I carry the insurance for all of us!
You are absolutely right - This is basically on a person to person basis and those who say you CAN'T do it are probably in a position where they don't have to. I finished my first semester and passed it with a B. And that was with working full-time and taking care of a 3 year old when I wasn't at school. So, yes, it CAN be done. Don't let anyone stand in your way and make you think any differently...they don't know because they haven't had to do it...when it is necessary for you to work, you figure it out...
Best of luck!!! YOU WILL DO GREAT!!! I'm in the same frame of mind...prove those wrong who think you will fail!
You do what needs to be done, you can rest when you retire.
Seems like a no brainer to me and yet for some reason this mindset doesn't seem to be very popular. If you aren't bringing money in you are losing it, imo.
I definitely agree with you. But....if you had the choice to work or not work during NS, what would you do?
Also, what type of job does everyone have? Does working in a hospital setting while in NS make it slightly more manageable??
Just curious.
I know you were directing your post to Jules, but I hope you don't mind me answering this question of if I had the choice of working or not during school.
Honestly, yes I'd still work. I am the type of person that works best under stress and deadlines. If I knew I had all the time in the world to do a paper, homework, study, guess what, I'd push it off and push it off until last minute (actually did that a few times when I didn't have to work because the compay was closed due to paid holidays etc). I got my worst test grades when I wasn't working..honestly.
Being short of time is my motivation to do things. Give me a week off and I end up doing NOTHING!
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.
"In a perfect world" it would be nice to go through the NP without the added stress of taking on more responsibilities (children, part time, full time jobs etc) but for most of us that is not feasible. Dont let others dissolve your commitment to the program by saying its impossible for you do to all three (job, child, NP) I am fortunate enough to be able to not work (I say that loosely as I have 4 kids) while in the NP but I know there are many that are in our program that DO work and do FINE in the program.
You have no other options and I bet you are determined enough to make it through and be even stronger in the end! Good luck to you!
:yeah:
lizzyberry
440 Posts
Working during NS is definetly hard. So I would say you could work but not too many hours, seriously. NS. is like nothing anyone has ever done before. You never know what your in for until you start. But you can try it and if it becomes too much then just try to work as little hours as possible and try to get financial assistance from the government.