New hospital job and school...

Sour Lemon · Dec 28, 2020

4 hours ago, Tita22 said:

Hi!

I am an RN for close to 2 years currently working at a LTC/Rehab facility. I am working on my BSN online and take 2 courses a term. I have recently accepted my first hospital position which will be 4 weeks of orientation. First week is classroom and then the rest are 3 12's with a preceptor. My question is should I put my online classes on hold this term during the transition to a busy MED surg floor? The rehab I work gives me 18-20 patients and I'm literally on my feet the entire shift the work load is brutal there. Whats your advice?

I know five sentences worth of information about you, so you'd probably be a better judge of what's best. I can only guess that your workload will be just as brutal and that you'll be on your feet just as much.

Tita22 · Dec 28, 2020

Thank you sour lemon

NightNerd, MSN, RN · Dec 28, 2020

If you have the time to give yourself the semester off to adjust to your new job, it's not a terrible idea. However, if you want to keep your momentum going with school through your orientation, that's okay too. You know yourself best as a student and employee, and you know what your goals are for your timeline and degree. I would let those things guide you. For my part, I have changed jobs an embarrassing number of times while working on my MSN, LOL, and with a class every 8 weeks, I haven't needed to take a break for any new job. It sucks, but I've found it to be doable.

Jedrnurse, BSN, RN · Dec 28, 2020

It doesn't have to be all or nothing- why not take just one class instead of two during the term in which you'll be starting the new job? That'll give you more breathing space while you're learning all the new things in the different setting.