Just found out I have to work during my RN program.

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I am so worried, I just found out I have to work at least 10 hours while Im in the program. The reason why I am worried is because I dont know if I will drown in the program while working and I have a 4 yr old and a 2 1/2 year old. I will try my best in the program because I want this so bad but I feel like I have to put my children in daycare more than they should and I feel bad.I will try my very hardest but will this be good enough? Any of you out there that have done the nursing program with kids and while working? Will I make it with so many responsibilities? Please Help?:uhoh3:

Specializes in OBGYN, Neonatal.

Yes it can be done! I worked full time (no kids at the time) for the first 2 years of nursing school, then had my son and chose to stay at home with him for personal reasons. I did fine. I have classmates that have multiple children, work full time and went to school full time - it can be done! Trust me!

You may have to slack on some things...ie. sometimes you will have to order pizza for dinner, sometimes the laundry might pile up, sometimes you will not have a clean plate LOL but you will get it done if you want it bad enough and are willing to work realllly hard to do it and it helps if you have someone that can lend a hand once in awhile!

Good Luck!

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Specializes in OBGYN, Neonatal.

Oh another thought...you can read out loud to your kids LOL, they will learn lots of big words LOL!

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Specializes in Education, Administration, Magnet.

I am sorry, but I had to laugh when you said you had to work 10 hours. Of course you can do it. My first 2 semesters I had to work 40+ hours, but the last two I cut down on my hours to part time (about 24). I also have a family. What worked for me is to wake up before everyone else did and study while they were sleeping. Believe in yourself and you WILL be able to do it.

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Specializes in OB, NP, Nurse Educator.

You can do it - when it is tough just remind yourself that you are doing this for yourself and your kids. It will only be temporary, and everybody will reap the rewards of your education. Good luck!

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I cannot thank you all enough. Thankyou so much I was so worried and all of your input made me feel like I can do it,and I will. Thanks a bunch! Cant wait to be a nurse not just for me but for my kids. They always tell me "Mommy when you be a nurse, can you buy me this toy...", because they know I cant afford it right now. I love them! But thankyou all and congrats on those who did nursing school while working.

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I am sorry, but I had to laugh when you said you had to work 10 hours. Of course you can do it. My first 2 semesters I had to work 40+ hours, but the last two I cut down on my hours to part time (about 24). I also have a family. What worked for me is to wake up before everyone else did and study while they were sleeping. Believe in yourself and you WILL be able to do it.

This makes me feel better. I know when I wrote this post someone would laugh because I know there are probably someone out there who had to work full time and they still did it. So I found someone who did,you, and now I see that someone out there has had it a lot harder thanks for your advice and congrats for all your hard work.

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Specializes in L&D all the way baby!.

I have three kids aged 11, 9 and 7 (they were 9, 7 and 5 when I started) and they are all involved in something extracurricular (cub scouts, sports etc.). I managed to work usually 2 night shifts (18-0630) during school. There have been days when I was so exhausted I would just cry, but I did it and you can too! They ate lots of quesadillas, chicken noodle soup and grilled chesse and had to pick up a lot of the chores that mom always did before. They all can make their own beds and do laundry and they all have a chore list that has to be completed every morning (and it isn't short either). They now do as much housework as I do. I think they'll be better adults for it though.

Good luck!

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Thanks for your posts. I am scared only two weeks until school and work. I will start as a CNA in a home heath I will probably work like 10-15 hours a week. I am ready to fight through school to do my best.

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i work full time- and have three kids- yes it is hard to put them in childcare- i have been worrying about that- my husband and i have been checking out new daycares- my youngest is 4 and i want him in a daycare that has a better preschool- the money for more daycare is killing me. $175 a week!! - plus i have to take a vaction day at work every friday to attend clinicals- so starting august 20th my schedule will be:

monday work 9a-5p-

tuesday class 8a-3p- work 3p-10:30p-

wed work 9a-5p,

thursday class 8a-3p and work 3p-10:30p-

friday i am suppose to work but taking every friday off as a vacation day to do clinicals 7a-3p. & this is only the first semester- so i am hoping i can make it! i don't know when i will study- probably at night- which means i don't know when i will sleep. i'm sure i will be ok- i am not happy about having to use all of my vacation days to go to school though. i really want a vacation.

i feel your pain! i'll also be using one vacation day a week to make ends meet. i only have 8, but they will carry me through for the first 2 months. the countdown is on...august 27 and it will be all the way live! i'm sooo afraid!!

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Hi, I am currently in nursing school. I worked and this is the 2nd time I am failing a class. Everyone is different maybe you can handle it or maybe you can't. My advice to you is that it is not worth it to work and go to school and then end up failing and have spend a longer time in school and pay more money. I only worked 16 hours a week. I have no kids, but I still didn't have time to study. The program I am in was so much. My advice to you would be to quit your job, take out loans to pay for your expenses, then when you graduate find a hospital that will pay back your loans. best of luck.

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Specializes in Psych/Rehab/Family practice/Oncology.

Oh my, yes, it is possible, but will be difficult! I worked 24-32 hours a week most of the program. At some point, I took one semester off, but can't remember the details. It was toward the end, I remember that. When I started, I had a two year old plus a nine and ten year old. Plus, I had to commute approx. 50 minutes to campus, mostly had to car pool. My classmates smoked in the car and sometimes I was very ill by the time we arrived and gave up my breakfast in the bushes! My point is that it CAN be done. Never lose sight of your ultimate goal! I don't think you'll be sorry! Good luck to you and others trying to "get 'er done."

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I am in the same boat. I have to talk with my boss about reducing my hours. He is kindof rude about me going to school to be a nurse and always has a comment to make, but the pay is too good at my current job to give up all together. I have a 7 and 3 year old. While my 7 yr old is in school full time my 3 yr old only goes 3 mornings a week and will be home with me the remainder of the time. I have been very anxious and have debated over and over if I should reduce my hours and pay the bills I can or quit all together and go further in debt. I plan on trying to work a reduced schedule and if it doesn't work I will quit altogether. I have waited too long to give up the opportunity.

Good luck to everyone, we all have a struggle, and we all have the fight to keep going

:balloons:.

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