Part Time CNA Full Time Nursing School

Published

To start off, I have a REALLY high goal for myself for when I do get to nursing school: I want to graduate #1 in the class, however, I have a slight problem, I am going to have to work part time, probably 20-35 hours a week. I'm wondering if it will get in the way of that goal. I understand that it varies from person to person depending on how they study and how their brain takes in information, but I really want to know about how other people experienced it. How did you find time to study? How stressful was it? How are your grades?

I just got accepted into my BSN nursing program at Michigan State University and I will also be having to work 30-40 hours.. I'm living on my own and that means paying for it myself! I think it all depends on the person. I worked all year during my first year of college and that's when I was applying for nursing school. I finished with a 3.9. My classes were definitely not easy, but I made it work! Some nights I was up extremely late.. it's what it is. Good luck to you! I'll be working as CNA as well!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I graduated at the top of my class and worked PRN as a CNA during school. I worked maybe 12-24 hours at the most. Weeks when I had tests I didn't schedule myself to work. I mostly worked weekends because I didn't have class or clinical. I lived at home and had a full scholarship so I didn't need to work, but I wanted to for the networking and experience. Even then it was hard because I was a full time student with 12-15 credits/semester. In my experience, it was doable but tough, even working just PRN.

I didn't expect to be first in my class, I wanted to graduate with a 4.0 because it was something I wanted for myself. I certainly don't think having a 4.0 makes me better in any way than other nurses. It was just a personal goal. If you don't graduate #1 in your class, it's okay. Your managers, patients, and coworkers won't know (unless you tell them) if you graduate 1st, 3rd, or 44th in your class. You will still be a nurse after passing the NCLEX regardless. Just aim to do your best and work to improve. Be open to criticism and advice, and learn from your mistakes. Perfectionism isn't an easy trait to have, I know ;)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion