Nursing School

shay&lynn, ASN, RN · Jul 17, 2013

I am not familar with the Arizone State University program, so I would ask someone who has attended or is currently attending to get more information.

Everyone varies as to how many hours they can handle of work...for everyones situation varies...

Since you have the ability to self schedule, that is a good thing...it could either work for you, but it could work against you.

The school that I am attending has a very busy curriculum which keeps us very busy, so for me to work 43 hours a week, it would be out of the question.

Sorry I can't offer much advice, most advice you will get will probably be based on how someone is handling the situation themselves, which isn't your case.

Good Luck!

claritasd · Jul 17, 2013

If the program can be completed part-time, you'd probably be ok. But doing a full-time nursing program plus working full-time could be rough. Everybody is different, though; what one person can handle another can't.

ScientistSalarian · Jul 17, 2013

I know most nursing programs recommend working no more that 20 hours/week (actually, they usually don't want you to work at all) but there are plenty of people who have to maintain a full-time job and get through just fine. It just depends on your individual study and organizational skills, and whether your goal is to maintain a high GPA or simply to pass and get your degree. It's doable, just don't expect to have any type of life beyond school and work for a couple of years. :)

Jaynie_Marie · Jul 17, 2013

I'm in somewhat of the same situation as you - I currently work (only 32 hours a week, though, not 43) and need to continue to work through nursing school. For most of my prereqs I was working 40 plus hours a week as an office manager - so as long as you are dedicated and make sure you give enough time to your studies, then it is definitely possible to work that many hours while prereqs. I haven't actually started my nursing program yet (I start August 19th and very excited about it!) so I am unable to tell you how well it works for those classes. I have also changed jobs about a 18 months ago when I was near the end of my prereqs (I now work as a CNA on the 11-7 shift in a LTC facility). Overall, it depends on the individual person, though. Do you have enough dedication to your studies to get the grades you need? Are your learning style and the ways you study compatible with working that many hours, therefore having less time to devote to studying? In my experience, work and school can definitely go together...but you are the only one who can decide if they are able to go together for you. Good luck!

acurtis4170 · Jul 17, 2013

Thank you for all of the replies! I am very new to this field of study as it is so every piece of advice helps a lot. I am going to meet with my advisor in a week and get his/her opinion as well. As of right now I am going to go for it. I think the only thing that is going to save me is that I can make my own schedule.