Schedule in Nursing Program

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Hi guys! I'm having a bit of a scheduling crisis and have been troubleshooting for quite some time now and figured I would come to this site for some advice. Brief synopsis: I'm 24 years old, not married, no kids, live on my own with boyfriend, we share responsibilities and bills. I've worked full time and lived on my own since I was 18. Moving back in with parents is not an option for me. Have worked full time while finishing pre-reqs before nursing courses. So now I'm trying to figure out what to do about my schedule once I start nursing courses/clinicals. All the counselors and former students advise to not work, but if you HAVE to, to work part time. I'm at a loss and not sure what to do or how I'm going to pay my bills.

I work at a nursing home as an office coordinator. I should also say this, my work pays for my school and because they pay for school, they require me to work at least 22 1/2 hours per week. My current position is a full time position and my company will not let me do this job part time. I have been trying to figure a way around this so that I can go to nursing school. Quitting/putting off school is not an option. I want this for myself more than anything but am just having a hard time figuring out WHAT to do. See below for schedule for the nursing program and let me know if anyone has any advise for me. I would tremendously appreciate any help you could give at this point! Thanks!

Monday: class 8-4:30

Tuesday: class 8-4:30

Wednesday: clinicals 6:30-3 OR 2:30-11

Thursday: clinicals 6:30-3 OR 2:30-11

Friday: clinicals 6:30-3 OR 2:30-11

Sat & Sun: Off

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Specializes in Labor and Delivery.

Could you get a student loan and quit your job? What do your shifts at work look like?

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I would concur with alovelymother. Apply for student loans and quit your job. When would you eat or sleep? I have a friend who is in a similar situation and decided to use her 410K to live on, and using loans for school. She owns her own home. I hope you can find a good answer for your situation.

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Specializes in Oncology/hematology.

If I were to actually work with what you said, which is that you cannot quit your job, then it looks like there's no way in the world you can work on Wed, Thur, or Fri because you don't know when you'll be in clinicals. You can use the off hours on those days to get your major studying done.

Can you work evenings and weekends? You can get a lot of hours in on Saturday and Sunday and just have minimal hours to schedule for Monday and Tuesday evenings, if that's the case. What constitutes full time at your company? If it's 40 hours, it's going to be tough. Some companies consider 30 or 35 full time also.

I know that working isn't ideal. I know that it will be a major struggle. But, some people have to do it. And, it is better to get a free education and have to tough it out for a couple of years, rather than rack up debt that you don't have to. Of course, that's just my opinion.

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Specializes in Psychiatric Nursing.

Can you use vacation time or personal time and work weekends and holidays?

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How long are your work shifts? I work nights, and have to work full time as well. Thankfully 3 twelves are considered full time. 3 kids and I hold the health insurance for them as to put them on my husbands would cost 600+ a month and we do not qualify for assistance. I will have class mon-fri, find a place to nap on Friday during the afternoon and go to work that night. Work through Sunday night, finishing just in time to go to class on Monday morning, then come home and pass out before studying.

I can also use down time at work to study, but will have most of my evenings free for study as well.

Is something like that a possibility?

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Specializes in Primary Care; Child Advocacy; Child Abuse; ED.

Wow your nursing school schedule is tough. We only have two days to come in. Are you talking any classes besides nursing class? That is a tough situation but maybe quitting is the only thing you can do. There are scholarships and school loans you can consider. Good Luck!!!

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Maybe 2 12 hour shifts on the weekend? I would be worried about you getting sick or burned out with no down time. You could study during the week after class. I'm sorry. Good luck to you.

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You should work the weekends (Fri, Sat, Sun-lesser hours) and Mondays (lesser hours) that way during the week you're dedicated time for school. Your school schedule sounds insane...NS for me is three days a week, Wed-clinical, Thurs-lecture & Fri-Lab!! Im sure eventually, your situation will work out try to over stress about it. Once your program starts you tell should discuss with your supervisor how demanding your course load is & maybe then, they could reduce your hours. Good luck to you!!

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Specializes in NICU.

I would try to get student loans and work part time/not work. Why is moving in with your parents not an option? I know it isnt ideal, but sometimes you have to make sacrifices. im starting nursing school next month, and I moved back into my moms house with my HUSBAND. Yes i'm married...and ive been on my own for quite some time, and my husband and I lived on our own together since we were married 1.5yrs ago. At first I said it wasn't an option either, but we are saving SO much money. Us moving into my mom's house means I was able to quit my job and not work while in school, and have my husband support me. Its not ideal, but its only for a time.

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Specializes in Acute Care, Rehab, Palliative.

When you applied to nursing school how did you plan on managing this?

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