Is it possible to be a new grad and go to school?

nursekatie22, RN · Jul 17, 2007

My friend started the a BSN program 2 months after we got pinned in December, but she's CRAZY! :jester: Personally, I wouldn't be able to do it, but that's just me. She's also worked at the ER she's at for the past 6-7 years in different capacities so she hardly needed any orientation and that's gotta help.

If you have a good support system, it should work out, but don't over do it :studyowl:

llg, PhD, RN · Jul 17, 2007

I've worked with a lot of new grads during my career and I always recommend that they take a little time off from school to become at least competent as a practicing nurse before they go to graduate school if at all possible.

The transition from student to practicing professional is a tough one. Just read the related threads here if you doubt that. That transition deserves your full attention. If your attention is divided and/or you are overloaded with obligations, you will make it even more difficult and risk getting your career started on the wrong foot. Your career may never fully recover from that -- particularly if you are become so frustrated that you decide to leave nursing all together. Give yourself the best chance of being successful in your career by giving that transition the time and attention required to do it well.

Another reason to delay a little is to get some real-life experience that will help you make the most of your graduate studies. Graduate school is supposed to be focused on advanced content -- and students who are still struggling to master the basics of actual practice are at a disadvantage. A group of students who are still struggling to master the basics will slow down the course -- not good for anyone. So ... take the time to get yourself prepared to do well in grad school.

I fully acknowledge that there are some legitimate reasons ( & exceptions) to what I have said above. Some people, because of their previous experiences graduate from their entry-level program "ready to go" and need very little experience in order to reach the competent level of practice. Such people can safely enter their next phase of educational preparation more quickly than most others.

In other cases, the academic programs are specifically geared for students who do not have actual clinical experience. Such programs usually try to compensate for the lack of experience in their students by providing special experiences as part of the program. Consider that as you make your decision about what do to. Will you be a typical student in a program designed for students like you? ... or ... Will you be way behind the other students in terms of your nursing experience and abilities?

There is no one right answer for everyone. But I hope I have given you a few things to think about (and questions to ask) as you examine your personal situation.

smile123 · Jul 18, 2007

This is a little bit complicated but i'll try to make it clear.
I'm currently in an accelerated BSN program and by December of 2007 I will have finished taking all the required classes I need, to take the NCLEX. I plan to take the month of January 08 to do Kaplan and then test in February 08.
The rest of the classes for the actual BSN degree will take place March 08 and they will be monthly online classes for the rest of 2008.
Assuming that I pass the NCLEX do you think that it is possible to enter a new grad program and still go to school fulltime? I was thinking just to do some part time work but someone told me that new grads must enter a program full time?
Also is it possible to take kaplan and study extensively in January and be ready by the end of February?
Thanks!!

I'm not sure which school you are attending, but usually if you are in a BSN program, you have to submit proof of an actual BSN degree before you can take the NCLEX. The only exception I've heard of is an accelerated master's entry program where they only give a master's degree at the end of the 3rd year, but everyone has all the nursing classes required to test for the NCLEX.

Let's suppose your school and the board of nursing (for the applicable state) allows you to test during that time. New grads typically work full time, not part time. Some of my collegues who are in master's entry programs (3 year accel'd programs) have taken the NCLEX at the end of the nursing requirements and then they worked full time. But their remaining classes were crammed into a 3 day weekend every 4 to 6 weeks. So it's possible, but it's very tight time wise.

As for your last question, only you can determine how much you've already learned and how much you need to review. In practice, it's good to get one of those NCLEX practice books (i.e. Saunders) or the practice test bank of Kaplan and do 100 questions a day for 30 days. That will give you exposure to 3000 questions. Most people are ready by that time. But try one of the preliminary tests first (Kaplan has those). Then you can tell how much you really need to hit the books. Good luck!

caliotter3 · Jul 18, 2007

I think that you would be biting off too much to chew if you try to start your first job as a new grad while still finishing up your BSN requirements unless you're very healthy, have a good support system, and get into an excellent work situation. Taking one component at a time will assure you of a better chance of success and give you some breathing room as llg suggested. That being said, one of my classmates went straight from one academic program to another academic program while never having set foot inside a facility as a paid employee. I can't possibly see how she could have portrayed competence and credibility in the classroom setting, having never worked as a nurse or even a nursing assistant. Just make certain you consider all your options and just don't jump into a situation that may be too demanding. Good luck with your choices.

RN and Mommy · Jul 20, 2007

This is a little bit complicated but i'll try to make it clear.
I'm currently in an accelerated BSN program and by December of 2007 I will have finished taking all the required classes I need, to take the NCLEX. I plan to take the month of January 08 to do Kaplan and then test in February 08.
The rest of the classes for the actual BSN degree will take place March 08 and they will be monthly online classes for the rest of 2008.
Assuming that I pass the NCLEX do you think that it is possible to enter a new grad program and still go to school fulltime? I was thinking just to do some part time work but someone told me that new grads must enter a program full time?
Also is it possible to take kaplan and study extensively in January and be ready by the end of February?
Thanks!!

I completed my BSN while a new grad. Yes, it can be done. I did it while working 36 hours/week, pregnant, and with a 4 year old. Good luck!

samarooni · Jul 22, 2007

I did an accelerated program too, and accepted a .9 position on a peds hem-onc floor. I also attend grad school full time--it is SO tiring! possible, yes, but exhausting. I'm doing it because school would be paid for only if full time and work would only hire a new grad full time. So I said yes to both! I'm glad I'm doing it but know that you really won't do much else but work and school, and you'll always be rearranging one to fit with working and assignments and clinical....it's a juggle. Good luck.