Work, classes and clinicals? How to do it all....

Specialties NP

Published

Hi all, I need some advice. I am in my 2nd year of an FNP program and so the clinical time has really increased. I currently work full time nights (3 12's and only on the weekends.) I am really beginning to feel the strain of "doing it all". I work Friday Sat and Sunday nights, have classes all day Tues and Weds and clinicals on Thursdays and some Fridays. Then back to work Friday night. I feel that the only time I have "off" is actually time I need to be sleeping. I feel barely awake to study. Most nights at work are way to busy to even try to sneak in some studying. I'm struggling and my family is complaining because they never see me. (I miss them too). I have asked to reduce to two weekend night shifts instead of three, but my manager says we are too short of staff and she can't let me do it. My husband tells me to quit if they can't be flexible with school which is first priority. I'm sure some of you have had to try to find creative ways to manage all your responsibilities...would you please share your ideas? Thanks!

Specializes in Cardiac/Telemetry, Hospice, Home Health.

I second the above response. Please take care of yourself. I had a schedule like yours last semester and will never do that again. I almost got physically ill and my grades suffered. This semester I sacrificed some things and gave up some shifts and the energy I have for school now is soooo luxurious. Please take good care in whatever you decide to do.

0 Votes
Hi all, I need some advice. I am in my 2nd year of an FNP program and so the clinical time has really increased. I currently work full time nights (3 12's and only on the weekends.) I am really beginning to feel the strain of "doing it all". I work Friday Sat and Sunday nights, have classes all day Tues and Weds and clinicals on Thursdays and some Fridays. Then back to work Friday night. I feel that the only time I have "off" is actually time I need to be sleeping. I feel barely awake to study. Most nights at work are way to busy to even try to sneak in some studying. I'm struggling and my family is complaining because they never see me. (I miss them too). I have asked to reduce to two weekend night shifts instead of three, but my manager says we are too short of staff and she can't let me do it. My husband tells me to quit if they can't be flexible with school which is first priority. I'm sure some of you have had to try to find creative ways to manage all your responsibilities...would you please share your ideas? Thanks!

Yeah, In my opinion you can cut alot of corners with school, are lectures optional? Do you find them useful? Honestly I found lectures to be a complete waste of time, I would just give my recorder to my friend(if that was even necessary) or review the powerpoints/friends notes on my own time. You maximize your energy this way, than again, I am a self directed learner so perhaps your learning style is different(i graduated with a 3.9 GPA btw) Its all about passing a stupid test, thats the bottom line. Just get through it and once you get out of school dont look back...good luck

0 Votes
Specializes in ACNP-BC.

I'm worried about juggling everything as well. For me personally, even though I tend to do very well in school, I still want to cut back to only working one day/week once I start my NP clinicals next semester, just so I feel comfortable knowing I'm not rushing through the material we are learning and can feel secure knowing I have enough time to spend on school vs. always running off to work. Even with not doing clinicals this semester, I still have 4 classes I'm taking and am also working 24 hours/week and it is a lot for me. I'm getting all As, but I always feel so stressed out and soooo rushed.

0 Votes

Wow, I'm getting worried. I am an ADON at a LTC facility and I work 40 hrs a week. I'm in a totally online program but I will still have to fit clinicals in. i don't know how I'm going to work it out.:uhoh21:

0 Votes

I recently had my schedule changed from 3 12's a week to every Sat and Sun and one week day every other week - my life has already taken the backseat for NP/graduate school - along with my husband (who thank goodness is very supportive of my goals) - I can only imagine what it is going to be like when I get into the full swing of things - my program starts in the Fall and I am still working on the application process right now - LOTS of work ahead for me! When your dreams are strong enough they can withstand anything!

0 Votes
Whatever USED to be your number 1 in life needs to move to number 2, because nursing school has to come first. You really have to change your life. Thats the way it is for me anyways. When I got to my second to last semester I really decreased my hours. I work PRN and work the min 16 hrs a month. You totally have to give something up. Don't put yourself through trying to do it all.....it is too much!!!!! If u can afford to quit...then by golly QUIT!!!!! You will be able to make it up to your family back when u graduate by making more money.

Hope everything works out for you!!!

Samaletta

I completely disagree. I would NEVER sacrifice the time with my little girl. You don't get it back. I could make my life hell for those two years and POOF turn around and she is 9......and I missed 7 and 8. The money will NEVER make that up.

Work a little, go to school a little and stretch it out longer........and have a LIFE.

0 Votes
Specializes in primary care, pediatrics, OB/GYN, NICU.

Good news - I will now be working only 2 12's (weekend only). None too soon. I really thought I was going to have to quit. I'm actually excited about the spring term starting next week....and I finally bought a PDA!

0 Votes

Good for you, and enjoy the PDA, I love mine. I finish in one month!!! You can do it.

Luanne

0 Votes
Good news - I will now be working only 2 12's (weekend only). None too soon. I really thought I was going to have to quit. I'm actually excited about the spring term starting next week....and I finally bought a PDA!

Good for you ! Love my PDA too. I could not live without my TREO. A drug rep was at my NP clinical site a few weeks ago and gave me a FREE subscription to Epocrates Essentials..........love it !

0 Votes
Specializes in Acute Care - Cardiology.

hey there!

i realize this is a bit after the fact, but thought i would throw in my two cents. i am in an acnp program and in december, it will have taken me 18 months to complete. i have been going to school very full-time and working very part-time. at first, i was able to work on average 1-2 days a week, but keep in mind i have a 4.5 hr one way commute every week to school. i notice that you're married... i could not do this without my husband. he's great! that's beside the point... what we ended up doing was going for a loan. it's an "investment" to us... i went and filled out the fafsa (which you have to do for nearly any type of financial aid), and i use the money from that to pay for school and the little extra i get goes into savings to get us through the tough times when i can't work as much (i.e. finals, etc.).

also, you might want to check with your school about financial aid stuff... check with the school of nursing first. the reason i say that is because there was grant money for nursing i didn't even know about (and my husband and i make way too much to qualify for regular grant money)... i applied and get like $2400 extra for each semester (spring, summer, & fall). this goes into the savings account with the other cushion. that is truly the only way i have been able to do it.

if i wasnt commuting so far every week, that would work out to one more day a week that i might could work. honestly, i like having the ability to fit my schedule to what's going on in my life and not trying to make my life fit my schedule. :)

also, it's important to mentally outline your priorities... is it more important for you to get caught up on your finances right now by working? will it be more beneficial for you to be a little "broke" right now to get finished with your program faster? would taking out a loan for assistance to get through the tougher times when you're not able to work be worth it? the reason i chose the school 4.5 hrs from home was because i could finish 18 months earlier than if i had done the local program, and for me and my hubby... that was the key. finishing quickly so we can get on with our lives...

hope this helps... best wishes!!

hi all, i need some advice. i am in my 2nd year of an fnp program and so the clinical time has really increased. i currently work full time nights (3 12's and only on the weekends.) i am really beginning to feel the strain of "doing it all". i work friday sat and sunday nights, have classes all day tues and weds and clinicals on thursdays and some fridays. then back to work friday night. i feel that the only time i have "off" is actually time i need to be sleeping. i feel barely awake to study. most nights at work are way to busy to even try to sneak in some studying. i'm struggling and my family is complaining because they never see me. (i miss them too). i have asked to reduce to two weekend night shifts instead of three, but my manager says we are too short of staff and she can't let me do it. my husband tells me to quit if they can't be flexible with school which is first priority. i'm sure some of you have had to try to find creative ways to manage all your responsibilities...would you please share your ideas? thanks!
0 Votes
+ Add a Comment