Unlv 16 Month Bsn--is It Possible To Work???

U.S.A. Nevada

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I'm thinking of going back to unlv in the fall of 08 to finish up my bsn, i know you have to complete the nursing courses in 16 months, 15 credits a semester i was told by the advisor, is it possible to do this and work full time? i mean i gotta have a roof over my head, if it's not possible i'm gonna need a student loan of about a million dollars lol well actually about 25 K a semester if i can't work...anyone do this?? what can i do???

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Specializes in SRNA.

I'm not at UNLV, but up at UNR (in Reno, NV) and it's a 16 month program also. It's 16 months not because it's accellerated, but because it goes through the summer. So instead of going Fall, Spring, Fall Spring, you go Fall, Spring, Summer, Fall. There are many who work, although not many who work full time. Hope this helps!

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Specializes in Peds, PICU, Home health, Dialysis.

Its the same here at UNLV -- you go 16 months straight through. Our BSN program at UNLV is titled "accelerated" because you are able to finish your BSN in less than the typical 4 year bachelor degree (given that you enter the program in your first application cycle). I start the program this summer, but I have heard UNLV's program is very intense, but completely doable. I have a few friends who work 20 hours a week and seem to be doing fine. I also know of 2 people in their 2nd semester of nursing school who both work 40 hours a week. One of them is doing horrible in her classes (basically passing each with the minimum requirement) and the other one is excelling. So really it depends on your study habits and your ability to catch onto things easily. It will vary from person to person.

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Specializes in SRNA.

A lot here work after their 2nd semester as apprentice nurses at local hospitals. Usually just 1-2 12hr shifts per week. Another option...not sure how it is in Vegas, but ANII positions here pay $15-20/hr

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Well I guess my question is for those that DO NOT work i mean AT ALL during this program, how are they keeping a roof over their heads? I'm not married, i am not going to be living with my parents this is all me on my own. Any suggestions? Do i have to take out a huge loan or what should i do?

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Specializes in Peds, PICU, Home health, Dialysis.
Well I guess my question is for those that DO NOT work i mean AT ALL during this program, how are they keeping a roof over their heads? I'm not married, i am not going to be living with my parents this is all me on my own. Any suggestions? Do i have to take out a huge loan or what should i do?

I am in the same boat as you. :D I have always had to pay for my own education and living expenses, as I have not lived with my parents since my starting of college 4 years ago. During this time I have always worked full-time, but I plan to quit my job for the nursing program. I will be taking out loans to live off of (I have been taking out loans for tuition since freshman year of college -- so I already have an ongoing "pre-approval" for a private loan company that I go through). However, I am also going to be doing medical transcription work part-time, because I can do it from home.

Most of the people I know in the nursing program (both at UNLV and CCSN) work somekind of work part-time if they are not living with their parents or don't have a spouse.

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Specializes in SRNA.

Prior to entering the nursing program, I worked full-time and was able to get a good chunk of savings while I took my prereqs. Applying for scholarships helps a lot. Almost 3/4 of my tuition is paid for with scholarships or grants. For living expenses, I am relying on student loans. I request only enough to replenish what I had in savings and I haven't gone broke yet. I actually quit working when I was still taking prereqs in Oct of 2005 and I haven't gone broke yet. I am fortunate that I have someone to share household expenses with, so it isn't so rough.

The idea of no income is scary, but it's possible to get through it.

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Specializes in SRNA.
I start the program this summer

Congrats, by the way! You'll have a great time :)

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Specializes in Peds, PICU, Home health, Dialysis.
Congrats, by the way! You'll have a great time :)

Thanks Reno! I am sooooo excited! :) I have worked so hard to get to this point, that I just want to start the darn program and get cracking. I look at all of my friends who have all entered the program before me (I was a little behind on taking a few of my pre-req's) and I just wish I were in their position.

The Summer 2007 entering nursing class starts instruction on May 14, and that is ironically my birthday! What a gift.. haha

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I wouldnt recommend working during this program unless you want to pull all your hair out. Good luck.

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Specializes in SRNA.
Thanks Reno! I am sooooo excited! :) I have worked so hard to get to this point, that I just want to start the darn program and get cracking. I look at all of my friends who have all entered the program before me (I was a little behind on taking a few of my pre-req's) and I just wish I were in their position.

The Summer 2007 entering nursing class starts instruction on May 14, and that is ironically my birthday! What a gift.. haha

What a birthday that will be! Awesome. It may work to your advantage that you have friends a bit more progressed in the program than you...they'll be an awesome resource for when you feel like you're going crazy. I have a few friends that are graduating after this semester, and they've helped me out so much.

I'm glad I started in the fall because at UNR the 3rd semester is the lightest load (12 credits) and we only go to the classroom on Wednesday, although it's a long day, and clinical on Thu/Fri...4 days off in the summertime is going to ROCK. I hope to pick up an ANII position at one of the local hospitals and work 1-2 days a week.

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Specializes in Peds, PICU, Home health, Dialysis.
What a birthday that will be! Awesome. It may work to your advantage that you have friends a bit more progressed in the program than you...they'll be an awesome resource for when you feel like you're going crazy. I have a few friends that are graduating after this semester, and they've helped me out so much.

I'm glad I started in the fall because at UNR the 3rd semester is the lightest load (12 credits) and we only go to the classroom on Wednesday, although it's a long day, and clinical on Thu/Fri...4 days off in the summertime is going to ROCK. I hope to pick up an ANII position at one of the local hospitals and work 1-2 days a week.

ANII? What does that stand for? It is probably equivalent to what we call "NAPs" here in Las Vegas. NAP = Nurse Apprentice. Nursing students here in Las Vegas are able to apply for a NAP position after their 1st semester.

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