for ppl in full time np program, how are you working???

Many Of my friends are working weekends. I'm going to work 3-12 hour shifts in a week, 2- 8 hour clinical days. Leaving 2 full days for homework. This is what is working for many of us.

Thanks

I'm not to clinicals yet, but I work 2 12 hr shifts/week. 3 ocassionally. When clinicals start I'll prefer to work weekends. My manager is great with working with my schedule. I also work PRN for the increased pay. Have almost divorced a couple times during the past yr and planned to get my own health insurance (most schools offer VERY low cost health insurance to students, that might be your best bet).

My answer to this is RADICAL, but this is what I decided I must do.

First, I went to school part-time, online, to obtain my bachelors. It took YEARS and ruined my marriage. I almost gave up so many times. For me, the work was just too time consuming and I could only take one to two classes at a time. I NEVER WANT TO DO THAT AGAIN. I am now 46 and feel I don't have the time and strength to repeat this..working every day, studying every night...etc. My solution?? OK..HERE IT GOES!

I worked up til one week ago. In February, I went to my bank and took out a home improvement loan. Basically, a loan for a percentage of the equity in my home, in my case a loan in the 20k range. I knew I would receive NO loans after i quit work, so I did this early. Left it in the bank, untouched, will use when i need it. Next, I applied for every scholarship and school loan I could. I received a grant from TSAC for 7k a year (beginning this fall) that does not need repaid as long as I teach after I graduate (that can be at night, online classes). Next, I applied for all the financial aid I could, subsidized or not. My rationale? I will only be in school a short-time therefore unsub. vs. sub not as substantial an issue as was during bachelors program. I was able to save some (knowing this was my plan) and have left that untouched as well (not much, but a few thousand by having extra taken out of my check and put aside for me...every lil bit helps!)

Next, I applied for health insurance through my school and was immediately accepted. Since I am no longer working with no insurance available, and have carried insurance uninterrupted for over a year, I was immediately accepted with no preexisting conditions. My two children and me have pretty decent insurance, coverage and rates are acceptable.

Working with my advisor, I came up with a GRUELING difficult schedule, but one where I can graduate in 18 months.

There you have it...at least the most important points...how i plan to graduate with my FNP, not working, with no family/friends who can help me, as a single mom. I know this plan is not for everyone..but for me the only way I can really have a chance of making it! Hope that at least gives you something to think about.

Julie

I ended up going part time. real part time at first just taking a class here and there, but then I started taking two classes..then before you knew i had to do clinicals. I think I was lucky tho because the program held class one day of the week, so I was able to request off on that day of the week. I really had no social life, so social time was study time. The hardest semester for me, was advanced PA, and pharmacology. A big point for me: I HAVE to work, I got a mortgage and expenses. Now that im in clinicals ive adjusted my schedule so that I have more days in the week to complete my clinical hours. I had to do clinicals 3 days a week to get my time in, plus work three 12s. and again I have no social life

Just want to add...I have a mortgage, utilities, all of it every month. I have no additional income. I just came up with a radical plan to live lean for 18 months and go for it!

I work doubles on the weekends with one 8 hour shift during the week for a total of 3 days. I did it for 2 1/2 years while in my program and now I am done!

Many Of my friends are working weekends. I'm going to work 3-12 hour shifts in a week, 2- 8 hour clinical days. Leaving 2 full days for homework. This is what is working for many of us.

God bless you. I think this will be may fate too when i start clinical next semester, if cannot get into a weekend program.