people who work full time

Nursing Students Pre-Nursing

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how many classes do you take when you work fulltime for each semester.

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I work a full time job (as a ward clerk) 4-midnight and I work a PRN job 2-3 days a week. I usually take 2 or 3 classes a semester. But I just needed my sciences (Micro, A & P and BIO), math (College Algerbra and Statistice), speech, and developmental psychology class to finish my pre reqs. I only have statitics left. I don`t have much of a choice really, I have to work full time in order to be 100% reimbursed for nursing school where I work (Veterns Hospitial) and I an working a PRN job so that I can pay off current debt so I won`t have so much to worry about when I am in nursing school. I am blesses because I am also getting my prerequs paid for by my employeer and I am allowed to do school work while things are quiet during my shift.

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Trauma, Ortho, Neuro, Cardiac.

I'm currently taking two. There were times like when I took A&P that I could only handle one.

Everyone's different. Single no kids people who work full time might be able to handle more than a single mother with kids at home.

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I work a fulltime job 75 miles from home, so in addition to 35hrs a week at work I commute 3.5+ hours a day. I have DH and DD10 to attend to. I'm taking 2 classes at a time, typically one science that requires in-person attendance and one internet that doesn't. So far its been manageable and often I wonder if I should start doing three at a time, but I don't want to jeopardize my 4.0 GPA.

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Specializes in NICU.

I too commute to full-time work (21 miles one way) and then I turn around and commute the other direction to school (50 miles one way). I also have an almost 4-year old, a 1-year old, and a husband. I took two classes at a time during my pre-reqs (7 or 8 credits per semester) and now that I am in the part-time nursing program, they set us up for approximately 7 credits a semester (at least for the first two semesters). If you have less responsibility, or more free time, you might be able to do more. If you have more you are tied to, you might have to do less. It all depends on what your life is like, how much free time you have, how much support you have, and what type of student you are.

Best of luck - my advice would be to start slowly, you can always add more classes later if you feel you are doing ok with what you have and have time left over. ;)

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Specializes in Ortho/Neurosurgical.

I work 40-60 hours a week, HOWEVER my job is BORING and depending upon the day/shift/hour can be doing NOTHING and my boss totally supports me studying at work, and I'm taking my classes over online. I'm taking 11 credits this semester. A&P I & II, and their labs and PSY. So that is real crazy, but I have lots of free time at work.

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I typically work between 50-60 hours a week. Right now I am taking 14 credits over summer (4 classes, 2 sciences w/lab) and in fall I will be taking 17 credits (5 classes, 4 of them online) However I don't have any kids, just me and then hubby I never see since I'm buried under books all the time! He's super supportive of my school so that helps. Last year I took between 10-14 credits a semester (3 classes mostly but sometimes 4) and I did fine so I am taking more over summer just to finish up. I wouldn't reccommend for everyone, it's insane stress but I can handle it okay. I figure I'm going into a stressful career anyways, might as well learn to manage the stress now! LOL!

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Specializes in Acute Care Psych, DNP Student.

I think one factor in deciding how many credits to take is how important your GPA is. If you are applying to a program that accepts everyone if they completed prereqs with a C - then ok, I'd take on more. If you are applying to a program that accepts those with the top GPAs and rejects the rest, then I'd be much more cautious.

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who are you taking them through online? I need to take microbiology, physiology and anatomy, all with labs, and am looking for online options.

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How are the online classes? I would be affraid I would get lost, I mean are they easy to follow. I'm interested in math and english online.

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Specializes in Peds, PICU, Home health, Dialysis.

I usually take full-loads every semester and work full-time. During a few semesters I had actually worked 2 jobs (60 - 70 hours a week) and took between 16 and 18 credit hours. I have been enrolled in 8 credit hours since May and working 40 hours a week (evening and weekends), and still maintaining a great G.P.A. (3.8 +). However, I am not married and do not have kids. I do have a live-in partner, but completely understands how desired I am to complete school. It is definitely stressful, but I am able to manage it. I only have one class next semester (Microbiology.. my last pre-nursing class) and will be working full-time, but it shouldn't be bad.

So as long as you can manage stress and are willing to take time away from your family life, then totally go for it. However, taking a few classes and working full-time doesn't hurt either. You may be in school for an extra semester or two, but is better to assure that you are doing well, than to rush it.

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Specializes in Acute Care Psych, DNP Student.

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