I am new to this thread. I am here to inquire on those who have had full-time jobs while in nursing school. I was recently accepted into a competitive nursing program. I am a full-time police officer and I work strictly nights. My schedule work as follows:
Week 1: Monday, Tuesday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday
Week 2: Wednesday, Thursday (I switch between these two weekly)
I work from 5pm - 5 am
I would like to say that I am used to doing school during the day and working at night. I completed my bachelors degree while Active Duty Military doing something similar, I am a business major. I have also completed all my prerequisites online (A&P1, A&P2, Microbio, Dev psychology, General psychology) in the Summer and this current semester with a 4.0 GPA. I am sure Nursing school will be much more difficult than this. Any tips? I do not have the option of going down to part time! Please be honest and real with me! I can't take it!
I would also like to say as a police officer, I have a lot of downtime in-between calls and I can use this time to study. Do you think this is sustainable? The program is 5 semesters long including Summer semesters.
Sounds like you are a very disciplined person already, so being organized will be key. Also note cards are your best friend. Mine went everywhere with me, so any downtime I used to flip through a few of them. If you work with a partner, talk them through the nursing process as it will help cement it in your brain. I find that talking through what I'm learning really helps as the person you are talking to might have questions that force you to really stop and think about your learning.
This will be hard and it is no joke, but it sounds like you are trying to prepare yourself the best you can before jumping in. Best of luck!
If they hate pre hospital then they are straight up ignorant.
No, most instructors dislike anyone EMS using that experience to make themselves seem better than other students. Most do have a leg up with knowing some emergency use meds and procedures, but that's about it. I did have a paramedic once that I had to fail. Thought because she knew those meds, she didn't have to learn other modalities, care techniques, or meds.
I know that you were meaning to be cute when you said get out the cuffs, wink, wink. There are are some instructors out there that definitely wouldn't think that's cute. In fact, some would say it's sexist. Be careful where you voice such sentiments
OP- I worked a full time job (M-F machine repair job, boss let me flex my hours to work with school), and Sa/Su, CNA job. Plus raised my kids alone. I was tired through my program, but when I was done, it was worth it.
No, most instructors dislike anyone EMS using that experience to make themselves seem better than other students. Most do have a leg up with knowing some emergency use meds and procedures, but that's about it. I did have a paramedic once that I had to fail. Thought because she knew those meds, she didn't have to learn other modalities, care techniques, or meds.
I know that you were meaning to be cute when you said get out the cuffs, wink, wink. There are are some instructors out there that definitely wouldn't think that's cute. In fact, some would say it's sexist. Be careful where you voice such sentiments
OP- I worked a full time job (M-F machine repair job, boss let me flex my hours to work with school), and Sa/Su, CNA job. Plus raised my kids alone. I was tired through my program, but when I was done, it was worth it.
I really appreciate your comment, honestly ALL OF THE COMMENTS! It tells me that I am not insane, the first person, or naive to do what I am doing. Seeing others who have went through this struggle tells me that I have to get through it while being successful because it sounds like you pulled much more responsibility than me and still was successful. Thank you for your feedback!!
No, most instructors dislike anyone EMS using that experience to make themselves seem better than other students. Most do have a leg up with knowing some emergency use meds and procedures, but that's about it. I did have a paramedic once that I had to fail. Thought because she knew those meds, she didn't have to learn other modalities, care techniques, or meds.
I know that you were meaning to be cute when you said get out the cuffs, wink, wink. There are are some instructors out there that definitely wouldn't think that's cute. In fact, some would say it's sexist. Be careful where you voice such sentiments
OP- I worked a full time job (M-F machine repair job, boss let me flex my hours to work with school), and Sa/Su, CNA job. Plus raised my kids alone. I was tired through my program, but when I was done, it was worth it.
Who says the cuffs were for the instructor? Ohhhhhhh. Anyways I agree paramedics with a superiority problem are the worst. It’s that independent spirit I guess. Most don’t recognize there is more care beyond the transport. 12 min vs 12 hrs. Sprint vs marathon. Emergency isn’t the only specialty out there, but instructors that don’t recognize care rendered prior to arrival are just as bad. It takes the whole village to care for one person. I’m glad to see more programs placing student nurses in the truck to see the first point of contact and if the student is lucky...Be a part of the patient discharge home. Students can witness the often questionable living conditions of many of our elderly and the struggles to survive in an increasingingly tech heavy world. Is it too much to ask for our elderly to not have to deal with robo menu? Sheesh. Anyways it something else carrying someone from deep into the woods to a truck then to a hospital then walking with them out the door which is something I’m glad more SNs are experiencing these days.
I just graduated from a nursing program and working as a LEO. However I worked full time for the first year but after that I was fortunate to be able to work part time. I am a 20 yr patrol vet and work in a very high CFS area so studing while working wasnt very productive. I will say if you can stay on the same shift and are a good student who learns easily you should get most of the way though but I doubt you will be able to. For me it was super hard and if I was to do it over again I wouldn't but for most of us we have to work to survive to pay bills. I wish you luck and Be safe!
I just graduated from a nursing program and working as a LEO. However I worked full time for the first year but after that I was fortunate to be able to work part time. I am a 20 yr patrol vet and work in a very high CFS area so studing while working wasnt very productive. I will say if you can stay on the same shift and are a good student who learns easily you should get most of the way though but I doubt you will be able to. For me it was super hard and if I was to do it over again I wouldn't but for most of us we have to work to survive to pay bills. I wish you luck and Be safe!
So I live in a mid size city and don’t get too many cfs per night, compared to a major city. I work permanent nights. I’ll try it out! Thanks !
FiremedicMike, BSN, RN, EMT-P
596 Posts
Yeah, that's not been my experience. I literally don't talk about the FD, but they still know, and some of them legit hate medics.