Nursing Program 1st semester & work

RN BSN 2009 · Dec 13, 2006

Be very careful and make sure to plan out your study time according to a strict schedule. Also make sure to take some time out for yourself!!

MegNeoNurse · Dec 13, 2006

Be very careful and make sure to plan out your study time according to a strict schedule. Also make sure to take some time out for yourself!!

:yeahthat:

I know you are only going to be part time, but be careful working that many hours and going to school! I had 2 jobs before I actually started to program (I am just finishing my first semester of the ADN prog.) and *quit* my job I worked about 30 hrs/week. I kept my job in the NICU that is just on the weekends. Yeah it sucks to be majorly strapped for cash for the next 3 semesters.... but being able to dedicate all my time to school is great.

CONGRATULATIONS on your acceptance into the program, and good luck with everything!

wesk702 · Dec 14, 2006

Yeah im sure its gonna be rough but I don't have much of a choice.

Anyone work FT through the program that can at least give me some hope on successful experiences?

BeccaznRN, RN · Dec 14, 2006

Not me personally, but my very good friend/classmate worked full-time for the entire program (save the last 8 weeks of the last semester, when she cut down to 2 12s per week). I still have no idea how she pulled it off, but it can be done. She's very smart, focused, and catches on quickly (received grades no lower than a B for all of our classes). I think it will take extremely good planning and discipline on your part, but it's possible.

Good luck!

locolorenzo22, BSN, RN · Dec 14, 2006

You DO have to focus your study time & read whereever you can! I read usually while home for lunch and studied at laudromat(at least now i live with a washer/dryer), work(breaks), and even sitting on interstate while in tollway traffic(that was fun!) You CAN do it, but it will take tremendous effort on your part.

Be prepared to do everything you can on days off, but it will be worth it in the end...look forward to the breaks...make bosses understand when you HAVE to go to school. Many times REQUIRED demos/meetings come up only 1 week or so in advance. Keep the faith, and let us know how things are going!

PICUFL · Dec 14, 2006

I am going into my 3rd semester of Nursing school and have worked 30 hours a week the entire time (not to mention plan a wedding in my first semester and I lost my father to lung cancer in my second semester)- the point- I can be done! You just have to tell your friends you can't be too social in the next two years but after your graduate you will have lots of time! I make myself go to the library for atleast 2 hours a day a week before a major test. Cramming doesn't work in nursing. Also, don't just memorize the information, really understand it. Good luck!

K

PICUFL · Dec 14, 2006

and P.S. taking 6 credit hours may look easy but it is not your regular history and Psy 6 credit hours! There are hours of clinical time, preparation time, plus study time not accounted for. Good luck!

K

wesk702 · Dec 14, 2006

cool, thanks for the info.

I catch on pretty quick and do well whenever I study, plus I have a ton of nurses at work excited for me and are willing to help any way they can. I don't think I'll have trouble keeping focused, just hope stress doesn't get to me.

So if I dedicate 4 straight hours of studying everyday, will that be good or not enough?

SummerGarden, BSN, MSN, RN · Dec 15, 2006

cool, thanks for the info.
so if i dedicate 4 straight hours of studying everyday, will that be good or not enough?

this all depends on your program. if your program is anything like mine, the answer to your question is a "no!!!"

as the others have mentioned most of the time you must devote almost every waking moment to study. in addition programs like mine also require exams to be taken outside of scheduled class time. similarly, lab checks and clinical preparation must take place outside of normal class time. in fact, my clinical preparation includes visiting the patient outside of clinical hours to check him/her and his/her chart before my next assigned clinical day!! thus, in my case, 4 hours of study everyday would do little for me.

i think your best bet is to talk to your nursing school adviser or the director of the program. my director is adamant that a student not work full-time because the nursing program is "a full-time job".

i spoke to an academic counselor that agrees. my counselor informed me that the program i have started tries to get rid of students who have full-time jobs. therefore, i no longer have one!! :saint:

i found out all of this information before i applied. i worked for five years to better my situation financially so i could pay for school with cash and live on part-time money. i am not suggesting you do this, i am suggesting you find out about your program before you begin.

i am also suggesting that if you wish not to wait to start nursing school, look at programs that are conducive to working students because they exist. if not, look at a job that is more conducive to your learning (such as cna, lpn, nursing extern, etc.) so you can learn and practice while you work! good luck.