Need advice on working thru LPN school

Nursing Students LPN/LVN Students

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I'm starting the LPN program on Sept 4. I have no choice but to continue working at least 4 shifts per week. I thought perhaps I could work thurs evening, friday evening, saturday double shift. Then I'd have Sundays off. Do you think it's feasible to work like this through school? I know it's going to be difficult, but like I said, I don't have a choice.

Some people have told me that you have a test every day. Am I going to be able to make it?

I could really use some advice on how to work this out!

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Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.

You will be able to see once the program starts. Some programs give pop quizzes, others do not. Mine didn't, thank goodness, but they kept changing the dates we were supposed to take exams. Just adhere to a strict schedule so that you get rest and have enough time to study. You didn't mention whether you have a family. If you do, begin giving them assignments or chores to do so that you have time to study. Time management will be of essence here. Yes, it can and has been done.

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Specializes in Internal Medicine,Surgery, Wound Care.
I'm starting the LPN program on Sept 4. I have no choice but to continue working at least 4 shifts per week. I thought perhaps I could work thurs evening, friday evening, saturday double shift. Then I'd have Sundays off. Do you think it's feasible to work like this through school? I know it's going to be difficult, but like I said, I don't have a choice.

Some people have told me that you have a test every day. Am I going to be able to make it?

I could really use some advice on how to work this out!

Hi welcome:

I start school on Sept 6. We were told there is 4-5 hours of homework every night and a test every day. They told us we could not work full time and pass this course. School runs from Sept to June. My husband & I decided I am not going to work at all. But I will wait for school to start and see how it goes. If I am able to work part-time, then maybe I will. We will be very broke during the course of school. But it is only 10 months and I am willing to sacrifice anything in order to pass and before a LPN.

My husband & son are going to have to wash their own clothes, get some food ready for themselves. I think I may start now preparing some meals and freezing them. Also, I can make some food on the weekend's and have it all week.

I did also take out a Stafford loan, so I may have to use some of it for bills over the winter. Oil is something that is necessary and you can not live without... up here in the sticks of NY State.

Hope this was helpful to you

Good luck in school this year!!:balloons:

JoAnn

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I think it really depends on your learning style if you will be able to work and go to school full-time. I have heard many people say they worked full-time and attended nursing school full-time and was able to maintain good grades.

Some people can read over material and have it committed to memory. Others have to read over material a few times and may even need to quiz themselves to make sure they learned what they needed.

I can say from personal experience I was in the LPN program and I worked a very demanding full-time job that had no opportunity for me to study while at work. I tried to go home at 11:00pm at night to study and would fall asleep with my head in the book. I made it all the way to the last class med surg and I failed it. That class was the hardest for me and I didn't have the proper time to study or prepare for my assignments.

I was so tired, and had no time for my children or husband. I was literally a walking zombie at work. It is really draining to try to work and go to school. Nursing school is demanding and designed to wean out those who are weak and just plain old not serious about making nursing a career.

You sound very determined and I have no doubt you will succeed. My suggestion is to wait until school begins to get a feel for how assignments, quizzes, and tests will be distributed. Then you will be able to determine how much studying time you will need to invest each week to complete your assignments and get good grades on quizzes and tests.

I totally understand needing to work. I had no other choice either because I had a mortgage that needed to be paid. If you have to work I would say work no more than 20 hours a week if you can because anything more than that would seriously be cutting in on your study time.

Good luck to you!!!!:balloons:

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In my class, most students were working but it was not easy at all. They completed the program too. You can do it just know you will have to study very hard, know you will be tired, get tired of it and go through so many changes and feel drained. But there is light at the end of the tunnel and you will be glad that you did it.

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Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.

Hi,

Most of my LPN class worked also and our grades were as good and often better than people who didn't work. I felt that it forced me to make the most of every minute so I stayed on top of studying and assignments. I graduated tied for top of my class with another gal. I'm getting ready to start the second year of an RN program now and will be working 30 hours a week once again. I'm not interested in waiving a whole years worth of my income so I will just do what I have to do and get it all done. Best of luck to you! Jules

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I'am also starting school soon April. And I was told by my coworkers and friends that working fulltime will be futile. Most hours I would suggest working is 10-20hrs a week. Also If you have allready received the books try reading them after work, so you can get an idea and tell if you can "handle" it. Good Luck!!

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I'm starting the LPN program on Sept 4. I have no choice but to continue working at least 4 shifts per week. I thought perhaps I could work thurs evening, friday evening, saturday double shift. Then I'd have Sundays off. Do you think it's feasible to work like this through school? I know it's going to be difficult, but like I said, I don't have a choice.

Some people have told me that you have a test every day. Am I going to be able to make it?

I could really use some advice on how to work this out!

That is basically what I am going to do. I know it isn't recommended but I have bills to pay. I'll be working Fri night, Sat eve & night, and Sun night.

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Specializes in geriatrics.

I was working when I started LPN school, as a CNA. I worked on the weekends only just for some extra cash. School started in July and by December, I came close to a nervous breakdown with financial problems (not enough hours), and with my grades suffering because I was even working at all. Mine school was accellerated, which made it harder..but I ultimately quit my job as to me, school was more important. It's a matter of your schools schedule and your personal preference.

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I too am going to school this fall and working about 28 hours a week. I also have three kids and a husband.

I am also a CNA and am actually going to work every other weekend, two double shifts.

I know it's going to be hard, but it's only a year, and you can do anything for a year. I'm just going to take it day by day and get through it the best I can.

See if you can do shifts on the weekends, I like it because I have all week to focus on school and the kids, and every other weekend for the family. But I don't know how much work I'm in for yet either.

Hope I helped, and I know we can get through this!!!

---Marie

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Specializes in LTC, cardiac, ortho rehab.

ill admit, lpn school is pretty tough but it is not impossible. i went to nursing school in 2005. at that time i was a shift manager for papa johns pizza. i used to work atleast 40 hours a week. i tried 40 hours a week while going to nursing school and i realized that i couldnt do it. soo i cut down to 2 days a week (fri and saturday). it was tiring but possible.

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