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

Published

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.

The instructors are speaking from experience and statistics.

I go to school with several that work jobs and go to school and do just fine. However, statistically, everyone that has flunked out so far did the same thing.

If you can't, you can't. It's that simple. However, if other options exist to cut down every expense you can, then start seeking those options now.

But do not try to work nights and then attend class, it is just too hard for most and they end up falling asleep in class and then the instructor gets upset with them. You know what you can do and manage, it is up to you to decide on what you will be able to do.

The double shifts that I will be doing on the weekends are the 7 to 3 and 3 to 11 shifts. There would be no way that I could work 11 to 7, and stay up for LPN class, which ends at 3. I know a couple of students who are going to do this, and if they can, good for them. However, I know my limitations, and I know that staying up all night and all morning would be a disaster.

The reality is that there's no one-size-fits-all answer. Not every person could do it with every job in every nursing program. On the other hand most people's capacities far exceed their confidence in themselves. [/quote']

Well said...I said something similar about it being on a person to person basis...I don't think everyone can, but when people ask, yes, it CAN be done and I cheer them on!!! :yeah:

Specializes in Adult ICU one year.

I just wanted to send you an encouraging word. I have five kids... yes FIVE and a single mom. I went back to school when my youngest was 6 months old, and also had a 1 1/2 and 3, 10 & 12 year old at the time. FINALLY I have made it through nursing school. My son is now 6, daughter 8, other daughter 10, and a 16 & 18 year old. It has been the hardest years of my life, but also the most rewarding. I've suffered fires (so. cal), a house flood, a broken arm, and many other adversities over the years. Many people have told me that I could never do it. I have been told that for the ENTIRE 6.5 years. It felt so good to graduate from a private university, magna cum laude, and alive and kicking. You can do anything you want to do. Believe in yourself and don't let anyone tell you what you can't do. If they tell you you can't do it, take that as permission to do it-- and then some!! Good luck to you!:redbeathe

I just wanted to send you an encouraging word. I have five kids... yes FIVE and a single mom. I went back to school when my youngest was 6 months old, and also had a 1 1/2 and 3, 10 & 12 year old at the time. FINALLY I have made it through nursing school. My son is now 6, daughter 8, other daughter 10, and a 16 & 18 year old. It has been the hardest years of my life, but also the most rewarding. I've suffered fires (so. cal), a house flood, a broken arm, and many other adversities over the years. Many people have told me that I could never do it. I have been told that for the ENTIRE 6.5 years. It felt so good to graduate from a private university, magna cum laude, and alive and kicking. You can do anything you want to do. Believe in yourself and don't let anyone tell you what you can't do. If they tell you you can't do it, take that as permission to do it-- and then some!! Good luck to you!:redbeathe

Congratulations!!!! :yeah:

Specializes in Psych ICU, addictions.
However, I have decided to embrace the warning, and prove people wrong when I finally become a nurse next year.

Good for you! It can be done but it's going to be a lot of work though. There's a few students in my class that are working and doing all right, and one of the top students is working AND a single mom. All of them say it's tough but they're hanging in there.

At the same time, if you decide that you do need to take time off of work and focus on school, that's OK too. Don't feel like having to do that will make you a failure because it won't. The important thing is not how you got to the finish line to become an LPN, but that you got there in the first place :)

Specializes in ED.
I am currently in a BSN program and am a senior. If you really think that you can possibly pass your classes and work full time and take care of your kids then I'm sorry to say that you are delusional. In my program I usually get home around 4 and do homework till 10 or 11 at night and have to be at school around 630-800Am the next morning. Working on the weekends is possible yes, but full-time and being successful-unlikely.

i totally disagree. Maybe you can't work while going to school, but many many people do. I just graduated from nursing school in May and at least 75% of our class worked at least part time. The ones that didn't work had kids (which is a job in itself). And while we did lost some along the way, most did very well and graduated. If you did homework 6-7 hr a night that is not the norm. I probably averaged 2 hr a day (some days much more, some days none). To tell someone they are delusional is not very kind. Did you learn that compassion in nursing school????

Specializes in being a Credible Source.

Tommybabe one thing that you'll probably need to accept is that your grades are almost certain to be less than they would be if you didn't have to work. Just go easy on yourself and do the best you can -- don't hold yourself to an unrealistically high standard given your need to work and to spend time with your kids.

I've got a friend in my program who's been a single mom since we started (hubby's a military guy) and she went through a minor crisis when she couldn't perform to her expectations. She finally put things in perspective and is doing fine, just not as well as she could under optimal circumstances.

Go get 'em.

Tommybabe one thing that you'll probably need to accept is that your grades are almost certain to be less than they would be if you didn't have to work.

Where are you getting this from? That is an absurd statement.

Specializes in being a Credible Source.
Where are you getting this from? That is an absurd statement.

I'm getting it from personal experience having worked and not through 2 undergraduate degrees, some graduate work, and now my DEMSN program; observation of fellow students along the way; experience with some friends who've tried it both way; and, of course, common sense which says that the less time and energy that you have available to study, the more likely your grades are to suffer.

Absurd statement? Right back at you.

It is mostly time management. When I have lots of time to do stuff I get less done. When I have a deadline to get stuff done I find I get more done.

It can be done and done with good grades.

Sandy

Specializes in Day program consultant DD/MR.
Tommybabe one thing that you'll probably need to accept is that your grades are almost certain to be less than they would be if you didn't have to work. Just go easy on yourself and do the best you can -- don't hold yourself to an unrealistically high standard given your need to work and to spend time with your kids.

.

This may be your experience but may not be so for OP. I worked part time while in LVN program and a sigle mom to 3 kids. I passed with the top of my class.So did a few other mothers and a few worked full time. So it can be done, if someone is motivated they can accomplish anything they put thier minds to and to tell some one they should lower thier standard is not right. She want to strive for an A who is anyone to tell her your being unrealistic you should only strive for a B.........Come on we are here for support, not to be told that we should lower our standards or expectations.

+ Join the Discussion