To all the NP students: how many hours a week do you work?

carachel2 · Mar 25, 2007

I think the answers are going to vary depending on if they are the primary breadwinner in the house and if they have children.

I have a child, I am not the primary breadwinner and I take one or two classes per semester (depending on the class !). I work 15-20 hrs/week and when I start having more clinical hours I plan to work less than that or not at all. We *try* to pay cash for school also (state school).

If I were a single parent or was young and no family obligations I would bust a gut to get it done. This is stuff I want to LEARN (well, all of it except the writing papers part :rotfl: ) so I don't want to feel like I am learning it only for the test, know what I mean ?

Dixiecup · Mar 25, 2007

I work 40 hours a week but I only take two classes a semester.

Mission · Apr 4, 2007

I work about 72 hours per week (2 jobs) and take 7 credits a semester. I'm able to get most of my homework done at my night job. Before I went to nursing school I sometimes worked 80 hours a week with a 2 hour commute each way so I actually feel like I have more free time. Plus I really like my jobs. But then again, I don't even have house plants and my fiance is a student as well so he's okay with not seeing me everyday.

NHavenRN · Apr 6, 2007

I'm in school full time and worked 24 hours a week for about 2 semesters before it got to be too much for me. I still managed to get good grades but felt like I was going crazy and was tired all the time. I moved to a per diem position in the same job (so I can work more the weeks when I want to, and not at all when I need to), and have been much happier ever since! Basically, everyone I know who's still in my program either started off per diem or have needed to drop to per diem in order to stay full time as students and keep their sanity.

kangaroo621 · Apr 6, 2007

NHavenRN,

Can I ask what program you're in? Is it a 2nd degree program? Just curious about the OP's question in relation to Yale's GEPN/master's prgram... Thanks!

ETA: Sorry, just went back to read some of your previous posts... you are in Yale's Direct Entry program, right? You say most of your classmates have been working per diem or part time these past two years? What about before you NCLEX licensing? Have most (or some) people worked as techs, or aids or something else hospital-related? Is it difficult finding this sort of position in New Haven, especially if hospitals know you'll probably only be a temporary (1-2 years) hire since you're going on for your masters? Just curious how this whole dynamic works and what to expect in the fall and coming years. Thanks so much : )

NHavenRN · Apr 6, 2007

kangaroo - I worked as an SNA (student nurse assistant) for a year before completing the RN part of the program, then immediately began a position as a GN (then RN) 24/wk on the same floor. Honestly, I was luckier than some in that I was able to find these positions right away; it took some others a little longer to find a floor willing to hire and train someone who wouldn't be around for long, but ultimately I don't know anyone who wasn't able to find a position that provided what they were looking for. Feel free to PM me if there's any other info I could help you with!