RN-MSN (WANT TO BE NP) is it possible while working full time as an rn??

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Hey everyone,

My question is, is if you're working as a full time rn (would like the night shift, maybe 3x's a week-12 hour shifts) with an associates degree and you're interested in advancing your degree from rn to np ( i would like to go the rn-msn route) is it possible for me to work full time while getting my np degree?

Thanks!!:heartbeat

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Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.

I worked all through RN school so I plan to continue working while I get my bachelors and then MSN. These are mature professionals so I doubt the majority of them are quitting their jobs to "focus on school". :) Check out the NP forum here because they are really nice and can give you first hand info. Good luck.

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Specializes in CRNA.
Hey everyone,

My question is, is if you're working as a full time rn (would like the night shift, maybe 3x's a week-12 hour shifts) with an associates degree and you're interested in advancing your degree from rn to np ( i would like to go the rn-msn route) is it possible for me to work full time while getting my np degree?

Thanks!!:heartbeat

Shouldn't be a problem. I worked PRN (40 hr weeks) as a full-time FNP student. Just make sure you can schedule your work around school and not your school schedule around your work. Good luck!

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Thankie!

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I just graduated from an accelerated BSN program and many of my classmates went straight to grad school while starting fulltime positions. After the first semester, many of them have either quit school or quit work. However if you are an experienced RN, then perhaps the work side of things won't be as stressful as it was for my friends who had the extra complication of starting out as a new grad.

A couple of my coworkers are doing both and they seem okay. I'm sure anything is possible depending on your priorities :)

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Specializes in Neonatal ICU (Cardiothoracic).

I am finishing up my last year of grad school, having worked FT throughout. You are busy, and don't have much of a social life once clinicals start, but it's doable. My goal is to graduate debt-free, and I've kept it up so far working FT.

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Specializes in Critical Care, Education.

Absolutely do-able for me. My MSN classes were all once a week and usually scheduled on the same day. So it made for a long day, but made it easy to continue working full time.

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rbezemek and SteveRN21,

Did you do this during your first year as a nurse? I would like to continue straight through to become an FNP after I get my BSN, but I'm weighing the pros and cons. I want to work and go to school so that I won't have to rely solely on student loans. I don't plan to get a job as a nurse until after I pass the boards (my state hires GN's but I figure I'll wait to get licensed), so when I finish next May, I'll have 3 or 4 months to study for the NCLEX before grad school starts (if I begin in the fall semester.) To me, it's the same thing as those direct entry MSN programs where the student takes the NCLEX after the first year, is eligible to work as an RN, and proceeds to the master's portion on a part time basis. Ideally, I want to go to school full time and work 24 hours/week? Does that sound like a bad idea? Any advice?

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