RN program work load

Rionoir, ADN, RN · Aug 2, 2019

Lots of people work. It’s a pretty individual decision - you know you best.

Tacocat, ASN, RN · Aug 2, 2019

I'm an ADN student in a hybrid online/evening program. I graduate in May 2020 and I've worked full time the entire time I've been a student.

It depends how flexible your job can be. I leave work early a couple days a week for class and clinical, and they're flexible as long as I get in my 40 hours a week.

For everything else, I just make time. I study on the subway to work, on nights I don't have class, and most of the weekend and my average is a B+.

Make sure you make time for yourself. Saturday nights are my designated "date nights" with my partner, and the rest of the time it's school and work.

Snatchedwig, BSN, CNA, LPN, RN · Aug 2, 2019

LPN school I worked 2 full-time jobs. RN school first year full-time while working on a PCU\medsurg floor, second year part time. I done lost my mind in school a bunch of times but it's doable.

Crash_Cart · Aug 3, 2019

Your rate of success is directly proportional to the amount of time you spend on your studies.

There's only 24 hours in a day. Spending too much time working at a job only reduces the amount of time you can dedicate to your studies. This reduction will only serve to hurt your GPA and academic performance.

Coffeenurse1 · Aug 6, 2019

Hello! So I just received my ADN in May and yes I worked 40 hours a week during my "nursing school career"". I was very lucky to live in an area where the community college offered a night program. My typical week was work M-F 8-5, then class two nights a week 6-9ish then clinicals on weekends, typically it was just Saturday or Sunday but there were times we had to go both days.

I will be honest it was the hardest thing I ever did (and plan on doing) and there were many times I thought about throwing the towel in. My husband along with the rest of my family were very supportive especially when it came to helping take care of my daughter. My job was very supportive too when I just needed to take a day to regroup/study/etc.

It is possible if you have the determination and support. Did I make all A's...heck no! (I did make a few throughout the program :-) ) but I did have to have an average of 80 to make it throughout the program.

Good luck! If you want this bad enough you can make it happen!

gere7404, BSN, RN · Aug 6, 2019

I worked 80 hours a pay period throughout my entire 3 years of nursing school. It sucked, had no free time or self care... it's doable but I wouldn't recommend it. I worked 3 12s Friday Saturday and Sunday nights with an 8 every other week and would study when things would quiet down. Graduated cum laude with a 3.8 gpa but some quarters were very rough.

caliotter3 · Aug 6, 2019

Everything is fine and dandy while everything is fine and dandy but when a rock gets thrown into the spokes of your wheel, well there you are. Whatever you do, do not let the school know anything about your job(s). I am not the only person I have ever come across who had their outside activities used against them by the nursing school. That info is prime ammo to shoot you out of the program as far as the school is concerned and they will use it.

Snatchedwig, BSN, CNA, LPN, RN · Aug 6, 2019

1 hour ago, caliotter3 said:
Everything is fine and dandy while everything is fine and dandy but when a rock gets thrown into the spokes of your wheel, well there you are. Whatever you do, do not let the school know anything about your job(s). I am not the only person I have ever come across who had their outside activities used against them by the nursing school. That info is prime ammo to shoot you out of the program as far as the school is concerned and they will use it.

Wow