NP school + full time job + family...Is it doable?

[ambi_dextrose]

Hello All,

Has anyone gone or currenly doing the NP program while working

(full time or part time) and has a family?

I've been a medical-surgical RN for 3 years. I've been married for 5 years and my husband and I have a 3 year old toddler. I work full time and he does office job part time so we have time to take care of our daughter.

My husband is very supportive of me if I decided to give up my job or find a part time so I could focus on my studies. I have interviewed for part time positions but got turned down when I told them i'm going back to school to become an NP. For some reason, I feel that they don't want to hire me because they think that im not going to be there long term. At the same time, im afraid that my current manager might find out that im applying for other jobs. They know that im going back to school but they do not offer any part time or per diem position.

The reason why im writing this is because is it doable to do NP school with a full time job + family. I have heard stories from some graduates who gave up their jobs in order to fulfill the clinical portion of the program. I got accepted in a public state university and taking classes twice a week. My co-workers said that im lucky to be in a program because when I become an NP, I wont have to do bedside nurse anymore (if you guys know what I mean). I don't want to give up this opportunity because I know its beneficial long term.

[FNPGRAD13]

I completed an accelerated 14month program and continued to work during my course of study. I worked full time my first and last semesters and worked part-time during the two middle semesters. I do not have any kids though. My classmates with families would work part-time during the weekends (12 hour shifts Sat and Sun), and balanced class, clinicals, and life during the week. Your family will experience major sacrifices during this time, but it will all be worth it. It is all about time management!

[MommyandRN]

I think it's doable. Did you ask your present job to go down to part time and they said no? What about going on interviews for PT and NOT telling them that you are in a NP program?

As for the 3 year old, I think it's doable. I have more kids than you, and they are older (having to drive to more than one sport 5 nights a week plus weekend sports). Luckily a 3 year old doesn't participate in too many evening sports so you have that time.

[Sippie]

When I was in my entry level BSN program (brick and mortar-so had to be there on campus), I had a newborn and 2 toddlers. I also had a part time job. The only reason I could do this is because I had my mom who could help out with daycare -my dh worked nights at that time and had to sleep during the day when the kiddos were up and about. If you do decide to keep your job and go to school make sure you have a good support system and a back up plan for childcare etc. It can get kinda crazy if you have clinicals, a job, and schoolwork due plus you never know whats gonna be going on with young children lol. I'm so glad my kids are older now.