School load w/workload

brit.pz · Jan 7, 2015

I've been fortunate enough to not have to work while in the program, but plenty of my cohorts are full-time workers and full time students. One of my friends in the program has decided to do what you've mentioned - work full time and take classes part time. Yes, it will take her longer to graduate than the rest of us but the end goal is all the same. We'll all (hopefully) be nurses someday. Do whatever works for you. Yes, it can be frustrating feeling left behind but I think it's a much better feeling than being overwhelmed and having your grades suffer as a result. Good luck with whatever you decide to do!

LoriRNCM, ADN, ASN, RN · Jan 7, 2015

I don't think there is a part time nursing program around here, it's full time once you are done with pre reqs; you don't get a say so in that. The classes may be two per semester at times, but the credits for one of them is 9, not 3. Add 3 more credits for the correlating labs. So even though one might think two or three classes per semester is part time, it's considered full time d/t the amount of credits. That's how my program is, anyway.

classicdame, MSN, EdD · Jan 7, 2015

I worked full time thru three degrees. It can be done. Yes, it feels like you will never graduate, but the time goes by whether you are in school or not so you might as well be working towards a goal!

nitole12 · Jan 7, 2015

I am entering my second semester next week. I worked around 33-35 hours last semester while enrolled full time. It was really hard at times especially when my group wanted to study or something, but I had to work. I also did not hang out with my friends very often, though I did make exceptions to keep my sanity. I lived off of 4-5 hours of sleep, then going to class and immediately work right after. I didn't get home most nights until 10 or 11, sometimes later. And then I would study until I couldn't comprehend anymore. Then wake up and do it all over again. From the start of school until Thanksgiving break I had either worked, had class/clinical/lab, or did both every single day for exactly 90 days. It sucks, but it's doable. I plan on doing the exact same thing this semester, hopefully I don't get gray hair by the time I'm done with school haha

classicdame, MSN, EdD · Jan 7, 2015

Nitole12: In my experience, once you graduate and ONLY have to work 40 hours a week you will feel like you are working part time!

nitole12 · Jan 7, 2015

Nitole12: In my experience, once you graduate and ONLY have to work 40 hours a week you will feel like you are working part time!

Hey if that's true-I can't wait! But also sounds a bit boring haha. Might have to get another job so I don't feel like I'm wasting my life away haha

MommaTy · Jan 14, 2015

I am in my final nursing semester. I worked part time nights 24 hours a week. 7p-7:30a for 3 semesters. It was extremely difficult and exhausting, but I did get through it. I will be starting per diem on Jan 31st because it is my last semester and I want to really focus on school this semester. I don't want to be that exhausted with the huge course load. Good thing about per diem is I can add myself to the schedule anytime I want hours, but I'm not committed to a part time schedule. It was hard to guess how to plan my 6 week work schedule on a school schedule that changes constantly. Only thing that didn't change was clinical day and time. I also have 5 kids ages 10, 9, 8, 5, and 3.

MurseJJ · Jan 14, 2015

I finished my first semester of nursing school (BSN) last semester (4 classes, 13 credits), and I was working 30 hours/wk 3pm-11pm in a hospital. At times, it was very overwhelming. I used a good amount of sick days to be able to either study or just relax (I was grateful that my manager completely understood since she worked through nursing school). There were other students in my program that were also doing it full time but they were working full time hours (36). They seemed to struggle much more than me. In the end, I did very well my first semester, but felt like I was neglecting my job. I ended up applying for a new job, and I just started it. It's much more flexible (you can do 2-4 days/wk, you make your own schedule, it's for nursing students so they understand).

Sometimes it can be hard to schedule your courses around work (I had to work every weekend to fit in everything during the week), and you must remember that there will be outside-scheduled-time stuff to do (whether skills checks, skills practicums, review sessions, etc).

When working and going to school, you must be very organized. I have a little book where I plan out my entire week. I write down the days I have to work, the days I'm in school, what I'm going to study each day, when I have a test or assignment due, etc. If you make flash cards, walk around with them while at work and look at them when you're not doing anything. Read something while you're on break.

I'd say if you must work full time, doing the program part time is much more manageable. Yes, there are a few people that can do both full time, but it's a lot. Remember, you don't just want to pass the classes, you want to do understand the material, and do well. Especially if you have any thought of grad school, your grades will still matter (and many externships, new grad RN residencies, etc ask for transcripts).

Good luck!

caliotter3 · Jan 14, 2015

It is important to stay healthy while working full time and going to school full time. It does not take very much to completely disrupt a carefully orchestrated school/work/family life balance. Nursing school administrators are prone to showing no mercy when they are told that other events took precedence over school. They will even fail you for taking time to attend to the death of a parent.