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.
I was a sngle arent in nursing school. Did not qualify for any scholarships, grants or loans. I worked 2 jobs thru out school till the final semester. i worked as an HHA. My mom took care of my child 24/7, long as i was in school. YES YOU CAN WORK. i never repeated a class, i was an Honor roll student for 4years. i did not have a life other school and work.
You were very fortunate to have family to help you.
If I didn't have to work full time, I wouldn't, but I do, so that point is moot.
I am in a nights and weekends program that allows me to continue working. I don't know if all schools offer that. I was able to keep my regular day job with minimal scheduling changes. My manager(s) have been very flexible with my hours. I have had to use the occasional vacation day to accommodate clinical times that could not be scheduled on an evening or weekend. However, with my program they have been true to their advertised word and it's been 95% nights and weekends.
I am in my (hopefully) last semester and it has been VERY HARD but I know it will be worth it in the end. I have missed holidays, birthdays, and lots of family visits and events. I have learned to live with a dirty house, dead flowers in the yard, and clean laundry in the basket that is rarely put away. There are no family vacations, as this program happens to go year round as well.
Good luck to you. You must be highly organized and stay ahead of the game. You need a support system that you can lean on. Your nursing friends are your best friends. With them on your side, you'll do fine.
It is possible, you can do anything that you put your mind to. I work full time and go to school full time. It is doable. If you really want it. Pay the instructors and students no mind. For some students not working is not an option. Many people do it.
Let me give you some advice and encouragement. I work 40 hours a week, I go to nursing school 2 nights a week and clinicals are every other weekend at the hospital where I work. I am doing well in school. I always find time to study. I study at work, on my lunch break and When I get home. Shrink your notes down and cut the excess paper around it. While you are at work and if you have a free minute you can pull those notes out and study, they also work while you are shopping or doing laundry. Don't let anybody tell you, that you can't work and go to school, because I am here to tell you that you can do it. Good luck
All I have to say is that many have done it before you and you can too! I'm a 28 year old mom of three little girls, in the middle of a divorce, working full-time and in my 2nd semester of my Nursing program at the Borough of Manhattan Community College in NY. I spent 2.5 years completing my pre-reqs knowing that I had to ace all of my classes in order to get into the Nursing program (it's a stress all pre-nursing students go through!) When I see how far I've come and all I went through to get here, it hurts me to hear of others who feel discouraged and get negative feedback from others, when they should be encouraged to jump over the hurdles they may face instead of being made fearful of them. I have learned that there is nothing you cannot do if you are willing to do what it takes to acheive your goal. Why is it so easy to believe the negative instead of the positive; that we can do so much more than we realize if we just have faith in ourselves and be relentless in our pursuits. If you leave no room for failure, it will not make it's way into your plans. Have faith and Good luck!
For all fellow hard-working nurses and student nurses facing the school/work dilemma:
Don't let anyone tell you how something will or must be for you. No one can tell you what an experience will be like for you, whether it will manageable, challenging, frustrating, difficult, impossible...
and this is YOUR life. Determination and 'want-to' count for everything! If we put our minds to something and push hard enough, we can accomplish incredible things.
I'd say that it's often doubt and fear which cripple dreams, not challenge and struggle.
First of all, to all of the students who have kids and work full time and are successfull, congrats.You must be really dedicated:up:. I have kids and go to school full time and can't imagine also working full time, I know that I wouldn't be able to do it.
That being said, we had our first test this week and a large amount of the types of students mentioned above did very poorly. When I say very poorly I mean if they do that poorly on the next test they'll probably have to drop out. I know alot of people can do it, but it's not realistic to think that everyone can.
I know I'll probably get some angry responses, and everyone's circumstances are different, but you have to be realistic.
I also apologize for spelling and grammar. I just got home and I'm exhausted.:nuke:
I worked full time, with three kids and a crumbling marriage. That being said - If I can do it anyone can. It is hard work but, hey - nursing is hard work. Do not let other people define you. You can do it!:wink2:
it is more the possible to work and go to nursing school. I am in an accelerated program and i work. Granted it is only part time but I work about 30 hrs a week. I am 21 yrs old so I do maintain some kind of social life. Its minimal but its there....about once a month. lol Its more then possible. With dedication, drive and good time mangagement. Anyone can achieve anything. Oh ya and caffiene!!
Hello, I actually did quit to attend nursing school. IT's tough not working, so I found a job working as a tech. Unfortunately, we cannot dismiss our responsibilities to just go to school. My second year is not as stressful as the first so working should not be a problem. Good luck to you.
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k_r_ah
145 Posts
You were very fortunate to have family to help you.
Not everyone is so lucky.