New Grad RN Accepted to NP School Need Advice!!

Nurses New Nurse

Published

Hello! I'm a new grad RN. I recently accepted a full-time RN position on a med-surg unit that I'm really excited about. Orientation starts in a few weeks. I'm excited but nervous because I don't feel prepared. I've been accepted to a part-time NP Program beginning in the Fall. I hope to work full-time in this position as I complete this program. The program is primarily online but requires 5 visits to campus every semester. Should I tell my nurse manager about my acceptance to the program right away or wait until I complete orientation in 2-3 months? I feel very uncomfortable not being upfront about it but I don't want to lose the job. I appreciate any and all advice!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med Surg.

Hey. First, congrats on both new opportunities!

I guess the first few questions I have are:

1. would the NP Program online requirements conflict with your full time med-surg schedule?

2.Are you required to complete clinical hours in addition to online coursework and working med-surg? 

If you are only able to do one or the other, and you are dead set of returning to school, I would mention it to the manager right away before starting orientation that you will not be able to attend and submit a professional letter of resignation.

If you are wanting to and willing to maintain both job and school,  I would ONLY tell my manager if I foresee future scheduling conflicts between school and work with the hopes of the manager being able to work with schedule.

If you think you can manage both schedule demands and do not see any potential conflicts, I personally would not say anything and just manage both. 

Good luck and congrats again! 

Up Vote Up Vote ×
2 hours ago, gratefultobeanurse16 said:

Hey. First, congrats on both new opportunities!

I guess the first few questions I have are:

1. would the NP Program online requirements conflict with your full time med-surg schedule?

2.Are you required to complete clinical hours in addition to online coursework and working med-surg? 

If you are only able to do one or the other, and you are dead set of returning to school, I would mention it to the manager right away before starting orientation that you will not be able to attend and submit a professional letter of resignation.

If you are wanting to and willing to maintain both job and school,  I would ONLY tell my manager if I foresee future scheduling conflicts between school and work with the hopes of the manager being able to work with schedule.

If you think you can manage both schedule demands and do not see any potential conflicts, I personally would not say anything and just manage both. 

Good luck and congrats again! 

Thank you for your response! I really appreciate your input. I'll be working three 12 hour shifts each week on variable days. The NP Program's online requirements are flexible and won't conflict with my work schedule. The program is designed to allow students to work full time. However, the program requires me to visit campus 5 times each semester. I will be unable to work the day before and on the day of each of these 5 meetings every semester. My hope is that my nurse manager will accommodate this schedule because both this full time position and NP school are important to me. I don't know whether I should request this time off on my first day or wait until I get a few months under my belt because the conflict isn't a concern until August. 

 

**I do not need to complete clinical hours (15 hours a week) until two years from now. 

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×

I am in the exact same situation! I would speak to your manager about it whenever it is convenient just to say that even though it is in the future you wanted to give them a heads up that you may need to request those days off. mine was very accommodating.

I sure know how it feels to be lost and overwhelmed and feel alone as a new nurse (Im nearing the end of my orientation).... if you have any questions or have to vent I am here!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med Surg.
On 3/24/2021 at 8:20 PM, NewGradRN2021 said:

Thank you for your response! I really appreciate your input. I'll be working three 12 hour shifts each week on variable days. The NP Program's online requirements are flexible and won't conflict with my work schedule. The program is designed to allow students to work full time. However, the program requires me to visit campus 5 times each semester. I will be unable to work the day before and on the day of each of these 5 meetings every semester. My hope is that my nurse manager will accommodate this schedule because both this full time position and NP school are important to me. I don't know whether I should request this time off on my first day or wait until I get a few months under my belt because the conflict isn't a concern until August. 

 

**I do not need to complete clinical hours (15 hours a week) until two years from now. 

In that case I would definitely put in the request now. Just because you may not be guaranteed time off the longer you wait. Some people place their schedule requests many months in advance.  This sounds like an awesome opportunity and position to be in! I wish you all the best! 

Up Vote Up Vote ×
16 hours ago, MI-RN-DNPstudent said:

I am in the exact same situation! I would speak to your manager about it whenever it is convenient just to say that even though it is in the future you wanted to give them a heads up that you may need to request those days off. mine was very accommodating.

I sure know how it feels to be lost and overwhelmed and feel alone as a new nurse (Im nearing the end of my orientation).... if you have any questions or have to vent I am here!!

Thank you so much. I really appreciate your comment. It's reassuring to know that I'm not alone!! 

16 hours ago, gratefultobeanurse16 said:

In that case I would definitely put in the request now. Just because you may not be guaranteed time off the longer you wait. Some people place their schedule requests many months in advance.  This sounds like an awesome opportunity and position to be in! I wish you all the best! 

Thank you so much for your advice!

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in PACU, ICU, Acute Dialysis, Home Health, Charge RN.
On 3/24/2021 at 8:20 PM, NewGradRN2021 said:

Thank you for your response! I really appreciate your input. I'll be working three 12 hour shifts each week on variable days. The NP Program's online requirements are flexible and won't conflict with my work schedule. The program is designed to allow students to work full time. However, the program requires me to visit campus 5 times each semester. I will be unable to work the day before and on the day of each of these 5 meetings every semester. My hope is that my nurse manager will accommodate this schedule because both this full time position and NP school are important to me. I don't know whether I should request this time off on my first day or wait until I get a few months under my belt because the conflict isn't a concern until August. 

 

**I do not need to complete clinical hours (15 hours a week) until two years from now. 

Where are you going online for NP? I am looking to obtain my NP degree. 
Thanks and best of luck!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I would definitely love to chat with you regarding your decision to go back to school while starting your first job as a new grad!! What NP Program (specialty) are you doing? & how did you know you wanted to go back for your NP degree? 

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment