Possible to work full time and go to nursing school?

rbk8 · Apr 26, 2011

....?

luvs637 · Apr 26, 2011

No, I have never seen a school that offers weekend classes only. Maybe that would be an option if you just wanted to go for your LPN.

I am only taking classes for Nursing right now, I also have a previous Bachelor's degree from 2009. The classes meet every single day of the week, mine happen to be right in the middle of the day because there is only one class section. Two days of lecture, two days of clinical, and 1 day of lab mean you really cannot work full time. Sorry

rbk8 · Apr 26, 2011

I know Truman (CCC) has classes offered on Fridays and saturdays. I guess I would just have to talk to an advisor about finding somewhere to do clinicals at night or on the weekends.

elkpark · Apr 26, 2011

I know Truman (CCC) has classes offered on Fridays and saturdays. I guess I would just have to talk to an advisor about finding somewhere to do clinicals at night or on the weekends.

You would have to do clinicals when the school offers them, with supervision by school faculty. You can't just arrange them at your convenience. However, if the school is offering weekend classes, they probably have weekend clinicals as well.

It is certainly possible to go to nursing school and also work full-time, but it's definitely not ideal (or even easy). You should plan on nursing school being at least the equivalent of a full-time job. Also, whatever the school schedule looks like on paper, I guarantee you there will end up being extra requirements/obligations expected of you that you won't find out about until you're in the program. F'r instance, students typically have to spend time practicing technical skills, and being "checked off" (by faculty) on being able to competently perform those skills, in a school skills lab on your own time. Students often have to go to their clinical site the evening before a clinical day to collect information on one or more assigned clients, and then complete drug cards, a care plan, or other written work in order to be prepared for clinical. That process can take several hours. (However, not all schools have that requirement.) Lots of prospective nursing students look at a published schedule that says you'll have two or three lecture classes and a day or two of clinical and think, "Well, school's only going to take X hours a week! Easy peasy!" But, once you're in the program, it turns out that the published schedule is just the tip of the proverbial iceberg ... :)

Best wishes for your journey!

MidLifeRN2012 · May 6, 2011

First of all if you live in Chicago area there are only 2 evening/weekend programs and they are to obtain a Bachelors degree. One is at Lewis University in Romeoville and they meet 4 nights a week from 6-10 and then either a 10 hr Sat or Sunday clinical. That was as of 4 yrs ago so the schedule may have changed. The Lewis program STRONGLY suggests that you don't work-- even in the E/W program.

The other is Resurrection University in Oak Park in which I am enrolled in the Night/Weekend program. We meet about 3-4 nights a week from 5-7 or 8 depending on the class. We have 1 10 hr clinical on the weekend. All pre-requisites are done before admission and you have to pass the TEAS exam. The school is moving to Wicker Park neighborhood in Chicago next year. It is a 16 month program of 5 semesters consecutively (4 if in day program). They have not told the E/W program students that they shouldn't work. They just won't adjust their homework schedules to accommodate the working student.

I also work 40 hours during the week and the nursing program which class, clinical, homework approximate about 25-30 hrs and I am pulling As and Bs. It is a grueling schedule but it is definitely doable, especially if A.) You don't have children to care for (or at least have a spouse to take over at home) and B) you can plan on not cleaning your house or having a social life for the next year and a half if you also have this work/school schedule.

I believe it is up to the individual on what they can handle and it can be done. Just be prepared to work very hard, with little play.

rbk8 · May 11, 2011

I never really replied. But I work a front desk job at a doctors office. I have time throughout the day to do work, study, and a learn things. I basically have 8 hour work day, I would be able to study at lunch and at least the 2-3 hours a day I spend on the internet. They will give me options where I can have a flexible schedule. About how much time a week do you spend studying outside of class? On weekends I have nothing to do, all I really do is go to the gym and watch TV. I really have no responsiblites, I already have done all of the pre-req's minus basic chem (which I took in HS and might be able to test out of). I took English 101 at my university and received 98%. I would only need 10 classes in order to pass nursing school. Any thoughts?

rbk8 · May 11, 2011

anyone have any thoughts... pleaseee :confused:

SMOKEY2112 · May 12, 2011

First of all if you live in Chicago area there are only 2 evening/weekend programs and they are to obtain a Bachelors degree. One is at Lewis University in Romeoville and they meet 4 nights a week from 6-10 and then either a 10 hr Sat or Sunday clinical. That was as of 4 yrs ago so the schedule may have changed. The Lewis program STRONGLY suggests that you don't work-- even in the E/W program.
The other is Resurrection University in Oak Park in which I am enrolled in the Night/Weekend program. We meet about 3-4 nights a week from 5-7 or 8 depending on the class. We have 1 10 hr clinical on the weekend. All pre-requisites are done before admission and you have to pass the TEAS exam. The school is moving to Wicker Park neighborhood in Chicago next year. It is a 16 month program of 5 semesters consecutively (4 if in day program). They have not told the E/W program students that they shouldn't work. They just won't adjust their homework schedules to accommodate the working student.
I also work 40 hours during the week and the nursing program which class, clinical, homework approximate about 25-30 hrs and I am pulling As and Bs. It is a grueling schedule but it is definitely doable, especially if A.) You don't have children to care for (or at least have a spouse to take over at home) and B) you can plan on not cleaning your house or having a social life for the next year and a half if you also have this work/school schedule.
I believe it is up to the individual on what they can handle and it can be done. Just be prepared to work very hard, with little play.

Do you happen to know where in Wicker Park they are moving???

KellyP78 · May 17, 2011

I actually worked full time and went to school. I went to a community college that offered a night program so I could pick my classes around my work schedule. Since I already had my Bachelor's in Biology I was able to use that for my pre-req's and completed the ADN program in 2 years. I graduated in December and I will say this, it wasn't easy at times doing both school and work but it definitely was worth it. I would try looking into community colleges for some ADN programs as they tend to be a bit more flexible with scheduling.

rbk8 · May 17, 2011

I was planning on trying Truman (CCC) for adn. I would only need to take Chem 120 prior to applying for the program since I have all of my pre-reqs completed. I was just wondering if clinical schedules would be difficult to schedule/work around while working 35-40 hours a week.

su9032 · May 17, 2011

With your schedule, it will be hard to fit nursing school in around it. Generally students have to rearrange their schedule to fit around nursing school. Depending on the program, clinicals may be 6 -8 hours shifts twice a week, then you have class, and then you have test days. You also have to consider that each semester, your schedule and clinical sites/times will change. When do you plan study and do all the written work (careplans, looking up meds--both are tedious and time-consuming)?

I personally only know of one student at my school in our ADN program who works full-time as an A&P instructor. She also has a another science degree, yet she barely passes each semester because she doesn't have enough time to study between class, clinicals, paperwork, and her job.

I would think a part-time job would be more realistic in terms of succeeding in nursing school. Many students do not work at all, and still fail out. Yet, several students have part-time jobs and are getting through the program.