Raise your hand if you worked and went to NP school full time?

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Specializes in Adult Internal Medicine.
It worries me how NP programs allow people to work full time while attending. There is no way an MD or PA could work full time while in school - are the clinical and coursework demands just THAT much lower for NP schools?

The program I graduated from has become slightly more time-intensive in the past few years, but when I went my final semester looked like this: 36 hours of clinic 8 hours of class per week plus an extra 3-4 hours/wk minimum in our of class work.

One person in my 50 person cohort worked full time through to the end: two 12s overnights on weekends that were considered full time.

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It worries me how NP programs allow people to work full time while attending. There is no way an MD or PA could work full time while in school - are the clinical and coursework demands just THAT much lower for NP schools?

I think that part of it is due to the fact that you're already a licensed nurse. You already know the basics and you are building upon what knowledge you already have. Most NP students work to some degree from what I am understanding.

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ryguyRN,

I am also in the last semester of my FNP but decided to live frugally and finish the last lap without working.

I found stretching the work, clinical days and study time too exhausting and retaining what I was learning difficult when sleep deprived. I am currently driving 100 miles round trip through Seattle gridlock traffic to one of my clinical sites so that may factor in on the fatigue.

Best of luck on the final stretch!

nelle4

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SlyFoxRN,

I think RNs are less likely to take care of themselves...historically anyway. The demands are just as difficult and I think you are wise to question this.

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Specializes in Hospitalist AGACNP-BC.

Actually my girlfriend just completed the PA program at Stoneybrook in NY. She is a Respiratory Therapist and worked full-time. Which was 3 12hr shifts/week. My cousin, graduated with a BS and went straight into Stoneybrook's PA school 10 years ago and she said it would had been impossible for her to work at all.

Point of the story is, I believe it's all based on the individual and what sort of resources and support they may be able to take advantage of.

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Most of my class works full-time at the University hospital -- in fact, they have to as a condition of having their tuition paid. It is expected that they will complete the program in three years -- 1/2 time -- but many are going fulltime.

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Hi! I'm a new member in this forum. Is there anybody here studying MSN-FNP in California?

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Specializes in FNP, ONP.

I worked 1.5 days a week during the first year of grad school; I did not enjoy it. It was too hard on my family, I missed too many important occasions/events and I did not get everything I could have out of my course work. Therefore, I chose not work at all the 2nd year. I had many classmates who attended school FT and worked PT and vice versa. I only had one classmate that worked FT and went to NP school FT. She was single without children and she still had to drop out of the program. I do not think that it is actually very common to work FT and go to NP school FT simultaneously, at least not at very rigorous programs. I don't know anyone who was able to keep that many balls in the air successfully, maintain their physical and mental health and maintain healthy relationships. Not a single person. I don't recommend attempting that. It isn't a race, so why not take your time and make the most of the experience?

I did not work at all during my FP residency; it was Mon-Fri 8-5. It wouldn't have left any time for a job anyway. I worked 2.5 days a week and did 2 or 3 days a week toward clinical hours while I did my DNP.

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Specializes in Internal Medicine.

Currently working fulltime, doing 3 12 hour night shifts a week. I keep to a set schedule working Fri, Sat, Sun. I then take Monday off and do clinical Tues, Weds, and Thurs. I average about 10 hours per day of clinical experience which equates to about 30 hours a week. This means I finish my required hours with over a month to spare before the end of the semester, giving me more free time, or extra clinical time since my school allows me to add extra hours aquired to our final semester total.

Although it's hectic, my wife and I don't have kids, and feel it's worth it to sacrifice a little now since it means I will obtain my NP without taking out a single student loan. A little pain now will equal loads of freedom later.

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Specializes in Public Health.

I worked full time as a public health nurse while attending FNP school full time, did clinical's 4 nights a weeks and on weekends, with two kids. I truly thought I would never get through it and I feel that it was with the grace of God that I did. :)

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Specializes in trauma ICU,TNCC, NRP, PALS, ACLS.

Im currently in fnp school part time and work 3-10 and a prn job. I am married with 2 small kids. It's extremely hard, an individual must be able to manage their time. I will start clinical in the spring. God has help me make it this far, he will help me to continue this journey.

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Riburn....when do you study? How many hours a week do you spend studying? I guess it's doable for you since you don't have kids. I consider kids another fulltime job. I will be working parttime during the program...and if it gets rough, am ready to drop to prn.

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