Pre-reqs and working full time..

daleguthery · Mar 9, 2012

I am 36 and getting ready to take my prerequisites for the nursing program where I live this summer. I would honestly take a CNA class while you are taking your prerequisites. That would definitely get your foot in the door. I took a CNA class last summer and have been working in a nursing home for the past 6 months. The company I work for has a scholarship program that can be applied for after working for them for at least 6 months. I have been accepted for this scholarship. They pay for books, tuition, fees, labs, etc. The only thing is that they require that I work for them for at least 2 years after I graduate. Maybe you could find an opportunity like this where you live.

jocy_anne · Mar 9, 2012

I'm 28 and am taking my prerequisites right now while working full-time. It's not the easiest thing ever, and there are days when I just hate working all day and then going to class at night, but I've pushed through and have managed to keep a 4.0. I've taken A&P I, A&P II, Chem I, Nutrition, and am in Chem II right now. My situation is a little different because I do already have a Bachelor's in another field, so the list of prerequisites I didn't have from my first undergrad degree is fairly small (I need the classes I listed above and then Microbiology, which I'm taking in the summer). I, too, plan on working part-time during Nursing school, and hope that my schedule will allow it. I certainly can't afford to stop working altogether! Good luck with whatever you decide to do! :)

hopeful616 · Mar 9, 2012

hi! i am 24 and i have been in the work force for 5 years also :) i am actually making a career change from law enforcement to nursing. i started last january 2011 on my pre-reqs. i do 4 classes at a time and i work 43 hours per week. it has been super challenging, but i've been able to keep my gpa at about 3.88. if i can do it, you can certainly do it! it just takes dedication and finding time to make it happen. i haven't been able to spend as much time with my husband this past year (we both work full time, and he is on nights), but he has been amazing and supportive! i am working on my last 4 core classes (microbiology, nutrition, speech and humanities) this semester, and i am applying for the fall 2012 nursing sequence at georgia highlands college.

if there is any advice i can give you is this: a. make sure you do a little research and take classes together that will balance out the work load. a&p 1 & 2 and micro are very demanding classes, so i would recommend pairing them up with a lighter class or one that is easy for you. b. make yourself a road map! (i attached mine below) this way you will know what to register for and when your deadlines/ timelines are. c. make time for yourself! i set aside saturday every week for myself. i sleep until at least 1:00 when i can and i do no school or housework that day! saturday is my day!!! sometimes it will feel like there are just not enough hours in the day, but you'll find them.

so to answer your question: yes it is possible! challenging but possible.... and incredibly rewarding! i have learned more about my capabilities and endurance in the last year than ever before!

here's my college plan. it looks a little weird because i listed what the classes are called at both schools. i have been taking all my core classes at chattahoochee technical college to save money and i will be transferring to georgia highlands (hopefully!) for their nursing program.

winter quarter 2011 (january-march) complete

ü math 097

ü eng 1101

spring quarter 2011 (april-june) complete

ü math 098

ü bio 2113 (biol 2121k)

ü sct 100 (fccs 1100)

ü pols 1101

summer quarter2011 (july-august) complete

ü math 099

ü psy 1101 (prerequisite for psy 2103)

fall semester 2011 (august- december) complete

ü math 1111

ü bio 2114 (biol 2122k)

ü bio 2114 lab

ü psy 2103 (psyc 2103)

ü his 2111 (hist 2111)

spring semester 2012 (january- may) registered

ü bio 2117 (biol 2161k)

ü bio 2117 lab

ü hum 1101 (hums 2011)

spc 1101 (comm 1100)

alhs 1060 diet and nutrition for allied health (same as phed 2202 or bio 2190)

summer semester 2012 (ga highlands)

ahsc 1101

nurs 1152

____________________________________

deadline april 1, 2012 for fall 2012 nursing sequence

deadline september 15, 2012 for spring 2013 nursing sequence

SaraMC · Jul 26, 2012

It's funny, you're my age, and doing pretty much the exact thing as me! I'm starting my second semester of nursing school pre reqs this fall and I work full time(M-F, 4pm-12am), as I cannot afford to quit my job either, so my classes are scheduled during the morning/day. I've only signed up for two classes this semester to make the work load a little lighter but I am thinking of adding another. I still have to take my A&P II class and microbiology. Just from the experience with A&P I, I would recommend taking only one other class along with the A&P's because you'll also have lab, which is another class itself. A&PI was very demanding and I only made a C in the lecture, but an A in the lab and I'm kicking myself in my butt for not trying harder. Also, I'm looking into volunteering at my local hospital to get my "foot in the door" since I work at an industrial air conditioning manufacturing company and have NO experience whatsoever. The closest campus offering a CNA course is over an hour away from me, so thats out of the question, but I agree with what the person above said about trying to take a CNA course. If you can find one it would be very helpful in getting experience and not to mention, a for sure spot in the program possibly as long as your grades are consistent. I would say, try to find out what hospital the program you're looking into applying for does their clinicals(?) at. Just a thought. Good luck to you! :-)

zoe92 · Jul 26, 2012

I definitely think working full time and taking pre reqs is doable. I would recommend doing classes part time to not overload yourself, Many of my friends who are working full time do that and it works best for them. Pre reqs can be challenging because they are trying to weed out people who might not be cut out for nursing, so keep that in mind too. Your plan to cut back your work hours in NS is a good plan though! Be determined, focused, and organized. You will do great.

Txffmedic · Jul 26, 2012

Has anyone taken microbiology and pharmacology at the same time while working full time?

makingithappen3 · Jul 26, 2012

I too am working in a commissioned sales job, and also finishing up my prereqs. While the stress of having to meet a monthly quota (that often changes radically from month to month), and attending school, I changed my work status to part-time along with attending school part-time. This works for me right now and is less stressful.

grownuprosie · Jul 26, 2012

Compared to the actual nursing program though, I feel maybe the pre-reqs will be not as challenging. Am I being naive? My plan is to work full time throughout my pre-reqs, then cut it to part time during the actual nursing program and live off my savings and part time income.

I may be alone on this, but I found the Pre-reqs way more challenging than the nursing courses. My grades actually went up in nursing school. My theory is that i am actually interested in nursing, whereas A&P was just something i had to do to get there.

I am 23. I am about to start my second year of nursing school. I worked full time while doing my Pre-reqs. However, I did them part time. I got a job at a medical office as their patient services rep (receptionist, basicly). I took one class at a time and they paid for it. Since i don't qualify for financial aid, this was a life saver. The whole time, I was putting about 1/3 of my income into savings per paycheck. It took me ~3 years to do all the pre-reqs (Including the pre-reqs of the pre-reqs:)). In that time I built up enough savings that I could realisticly not work through my entire nursing program if I wanted to. I do work per-diem over school breaks and sometimes during a slow week at school with my old office. I don't know how long it will take me to get a job once i graduate, so i want to keep building my savings in case it takes months to get a job.

I think your plan is pretty realistic. It sounds alot like my plan, so of course I like it.

zoe92 · Jul 26, 2012

@Txffmedic, I have not take pharmacology but I have taken microbiology. I do not recommend combining micro with another heavy science class while working full time. It would be over whelming to me. But you have to be the judge for yourself. I just wouldn't recommed it.

willowita, ADN, RN · Jul 26, 2012

Working full time and taking pre-reqs is a realistic goal. You'll just have to schedule your classes outside of work time and pretty much devote every free minute on reading and studying. I studied during my lunch break and on the weekends. Class went until 10pm so I didn't have much time to study after class. But overall, I was able to keep my full time job and go to school full time and I got straight A's.

I also highly recommend taking online classes for general education courses and any other non-lab pre-reqs (psych, english, etc). That really helped me with scheduling.

wgc2345678 · Aug 12, 2012

I would start out with two classes, and then see how it goes. Take your A and P first. If you can handle it, and you're not pulling your hair out, then go for it. Taking A and P first will give you a good idea about what you can handle. Everyone is different. Some people can multitask well, and others cannot. Just remember, where there is a will there is a way. Also, don't set yourself up for failure. Make sure you can handle it first. Every time you "retake" a course or withdraw it hurts you. So start out slow and judge what is best for you. Best of Luck