Is this going to be doable re: work,home,etc.

Spacklehead, MSN, NP · Jun 30, 2005

It sounds pretty feasible to me! I just finished up my first course which was half-online, half on campus (which was an hour away) and it was hard, but not impossible. I work PRN - usually 12 hours a week - which helps out a great deal. I also have two small children who are at home all the time with me - a two year old and an eight month old, so trying to get my work done during the day was next to impossible.

With your daughter being in school, it should go well for you with regards to getting your work done during the week. Just make sure you stay on top of things and don't let yourself get behind (which is so easy to do with online courses) and you should be fine!

Good luck - I'm sure you'll do well!

moonshadeau, ADN, BSN, MSN, RN, APN, NP, CNS · Jul 1, 2005

Sounds way better than what I will be doing. Mine is all online, plus I still have to work my 3-12's a week. I will probablly have to switch to a Baylor program at some point. Good luck

gauge14iv, MSN, APRN, NP · Jul 1, 2005

Sounds quite feasable really!

jhowirn · Jul 6, 2005

I start an FNP program this fall. I am taking PATHO and Theory. I am working PRN in the ER with a committment of 40 hrs/ month. The patho and theory are distance learning (but the college is just 20 minutes away if I want to actually go to the class)...they send the DVD the next day after the lecture. My 5 yr old will be in school all day and I plan to work my 3-4 shifts every other weekend. I plan to study while DD is in school.
Is this feasible ? I know things will need to change when I hit clinicals.

It's entirely feasible. I am currently taking an academic sabaticle due to the fact that i'm a newlywed trying to adjust to recent moving, husband, and 3 stepkids, but plan to resume my studies in January. Basically, to keep your sanity, realise that graduate nursing coursework is much more intense than undergraduate (I, through my arrogance learned that the hard way, and consider myself blessed that i'm still in grad school!) and communicate with your instructors and academic advisors regarding stressors in your life that might affect academic performance. Other than that, go for it!!!!

glascow · Jul 7, 2005

You should be able to do that. I took path and pharm, worked full-time, commuted 3 hrs one way to school once a week for 7 hrs of lecture. That wa my first 2 semesters. I also have a child. When he started kindergarten is when I started the FNP program.

Just 2 sememsters left! It does get tougher when you have to add clinicals! Save up your PTO for that!

mtnmom · Jul 8, 2005

I am just taking patho this semester, pharm in the fall and then theory in spring. I have to work full time right now. My kids are 15 and 11 - it has been tough while they have been out this summer but it is doable.

I am thinking that fall will make it easier to carve out study time once they are in school.

Once I hit clinicals, next fall, I am going to have to drop back to prn or part time. Thankfully- my husband, who has been out of work for almost 3 years, got a job with the local school system for not great money but awesome benefits. Once he is settled in and I dont have the pressure of providing insurance, etc for the family it will be much easier.

One thing that I am quickly noticing, though....when in my BSN program (graduated 5 years ago) I was obsessed with getting the best possible grades. I ended up graduating magna cum laude...but now grades dont seem that important....other than learning the material and getting the required B's to stay in the program. In other words, I am no longer obsessed with straight As and will settle for straight B's if need be...just get me through!

gauge14iv, MSN, APRN, NP · Jul 8, 2005

Right there with ya on the grades!

B's get degrees!

An A means perfect, but B still means Excellent - as my hubby says "Nothing needs to be perfect, just excellent!"

RITA2007 · Aug 2, 2010

I start an FNP program this fall. I am taking PATHO and Theory. I am working PRN in the ER with a committment of 40 hrs/ month. The patho and theory are distance learning (but the college is just 20 minutes away if I want to actually go to the class)...they send the DVD the next day after the lecture. My 5 yr old will be in school all day and I plan to work my 3-4 shifts every other weekend. I plan to study while DD is in school.
Is this feasible ? I know things will need to change when I hit clinicals.

Are you starting the FNP program through USA? I just took health care policy this summer and am taking the same classes this fall. My friend took the policy class later in the program and he said he wishes he wouldve gotten it over with sooner. Gotta work it in somewhere.

lkwashington · Aug 2, 2010

Sounds way better than what I will be doing. Mine is all online, plus I still have to work my 3-12's a week. I will probablly have to switch to a Baylor program at some point. Good luck

I worked in a Baylor program while earning my BSN. It was much easier for me because I had set days to work and when assignments were due. Good luck.

j621d · Aug 17, 2010

Sounds good to me! I work part-time (7-3, Monday through Friday) in an office at the hospital. This works around my 2 kids that are in high school. The majority of my school work is done on the weekends, and I never stayed up past 10 working on school stuff.

Plan ahead, pace yourself. If you think something will take you only 6 hours to complete, plan for 12 hours instead. With your DD in school, and you using that time for schoolwork, you will be fine.

SteveNNP, MSN, NP · Aug 19, 2010

I wish I had the luxury of being per diem when I was in grad school... it should be perfectly doable for you.

I worked 3-4 12hr shifts a week, had 1-2 4-6hr class days a week, and 1-2 12hr clinical days a week.