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

Trauma Columnist · Aug 7, 2007

Good luck...it can be done. Like a lot of others, I worked full time as a unit clerk while in the LPN program, then worked full-time nights as an LPN while in the RN program. We had two kids and we moved cross-country halfway thru the program.

It can be done! Take care of yourself.

lizzyberry · Aug 7, 2007

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."

Wow, it seems anything is possible as long as you want it bad enough!

lizzyberry · Aug 7, 2007

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.

Just wondering any tips on how to not fail a class? My school does not offer loans because in the past students were not paying their school loans so that is not an option for me. If it was I would be taking out school loans instead of working.

JoniL&DRN · Aug 26, 2007

Just wondering any tips on how to not fail a class? My school does not offer loans because in the past students were not paying their school loans so that is not an option for me. If it was I would be taking out school loans instead of working.

There are companies that will offer private type loans so you could look into that. I have taken out some Staffords just to help out with expenses.

As far as not failing a class, I can tell you one of my best friends nearly failed both 1st and 3rd semester. We all pulled her up by her bootstraps and made sure she passed. My best advice for success (and the advice I give everyone who asks me) is this ....do practice NCLEX questions that pertain to the unit you are working on. This will help solidify concepts while preparing you for your class exams an ultimately the NCLEX. There are many good resources out there. My favorites have been the Reviews and Rationales series (and they make them for basically every unit from fundamentals to psych to med-surg). B&N sells them online. They have an outline format with great review points and 20 questions per chapter with rationales. When you purchase the book you can get access online where they have 30 or more additional questions. Another favorite is the Saunders comprehensive review. Again good review with questions. This has been my method since day one and it absolutely WORKS! As class president I began to distribute these questions to my classmates as well and the overwhelming response was THANKS!!

Good luck! Remember to take it one day at a time and just breathe. You will be overwhelmed and frightened at times (we all remember that first foley or IV or that final exam!) but you WILL survive. It's the journey not just the destination!

MB37 · Aug 26, 2007

Schools don't offer loans at all, so far as I know. The federal government backs Stafford loans, and you select a lender to borrow from based on the terms they list. I only qualify for unsubsidized loans, since I have a previous bachelor's degree and we probably make too much anyways, but I was offered more than the cost of tuition and books without even considering a private lender. Fill out your FAFSA and try that first.

AprilRNhere · Aug 26, 2007

I went with three young children. (I actually had twins 1 year old when I started the program) It's difficult to put them in daycare....but...I reminded myself they would be in daycare when I finished school. They actually loved making friends..and looked foward to their time there. I also was required to work 20 hours a week due to a scholarship I took through work. It was HARD...but I did it..and love knowing I was able to.

lizzyberry · Aug 27, 2007

I went with three young children. (I actually had twins 1 year old when I started the program) It's difficult to put them in daycare....but...I reminded myself they would be in daycare when I finished school. They actually loved making friends..and looked foward to their time there. I also was required to work 20 hours a week due to a scholarship I took through work. It was HARD...but I did it..and love knowing I was able to.

When and how did you study with the kids? I study when they go to sleep and before they wake up. When did you study? I think I will be working like 10-12 hours a week but no more but Im still scared. Im in NS right now and it is so much reading. I will start work this Monday.

AprilRNhere · Aug 27, 2007

I studied between 10pm-2am. It was difficult but I managed. I also worked evenings when I did work...or nights. One day a week I dropped them off a little early for daycare to get extra studying or homework done. They watched too much TV...and survived it. Now they're all proud of mommy and excited that I'm a nurse.

AprilRNhere · Aug 27, 2007

..do practice NCLEX questions that pertain to the unit you are working on. This will help solidify concepts while preparing you for your class exams an ultimately the NCLEX. Another favorite is the Saunders comprehensive review. Again good review with questions. !

I just want to ditto this. It's quite a chunk of $$ for the first load of books..and it's hard to convince yourself to buy an extra but it's WELL worth it. I used Saunders all the way through NS. I often found I couldn't grasp a section...then Saunders explained it so well. When studying for NCLEX I found the book a little too easy..but the CD wonderful. Overall it was a great investment.

Also...the saunders CD was awesome for studying during school too. It breaks down into sections. With kids running around...I often just could not keep my place in a book. BUT- I could do random questions while taking care of the kids and I didn't have to worry about bookmarks.

(and if your children have a penchant for turning off your computer...you can go to control panel and set it so that the "off" button does NOTHING lol...it was a life saver when I discovered that setting)

AprilRNhere · Aug 27, 2007

Another thing that helped me. I worked every other weekend as night shift. I was allowed to study in between work. I could never COUNT on this as study time...as it obviously wasn't gauranteed and you never kenw what would happen...but it was nice and it helped.

Mrs Wms-future RN · Aug 27, 2007

Girl, I am working full time, have three kids and my dependable husband. You can surely work 10 hours. Before you know it nursing school will be over. All the best to you.

The best tips not to fail a class is to discipline yourself to dedicate a certain amount of time every day and go over your material, hook up with a study partner in class and USE your professor's email address, office hours, telephone number. Being in school with a family and working at the same time is a lot, but it will be worth it in the end. :yelclap: