Should I drop down to PT work since I am able to during PMHNP program?

[antnurse]

I have the opportunity to go part time while in a PMHNP program. Should I?

I start a MSN PMHNP program next month and I currently work 36 hours a week FT. I’m 25, live at home and pay rent but I am very fortunate that my parents help out a lot while I am in school. They are supportive of me going PT as long as I am in school. The program is 3 years, for my sanity, should I drop down to PT 2 days/24h a week? I’m sure I could manage to work FT in the program, but should I just go to PT to make school my priority? My one concern would be health insurance, as then I would have none.

I guess my one concern of going PT is losing my FT day shift spot that I work. I would still be guaranteed 2 day shifts per week, but if something went wrong with school or I wanted to drop out I could be screwed out of that FT spot since I dropped to PT.

I realize I am very lucky to even be able to have this as an option. Should I take advantage of it?

[barcode120x, RN, NP]

I am in a similar situation with you, single, living with my parents (paying rent of course) while working part time on the floor and going for my FNP full time (I'll be finished in April finally!). You definitely are one of the lucky ones and you have to take advantage of that opportunity. Working part time could be considered a dream job, especially if you are a floor nurse. Having 5 days off per week is amazing and it's great for scheduling vacations/traveling. My FNP program would have been tough to get through if I had stayed full time while trying to juggle both coursework and going to clinical at least twice a week.

As for health insurance, there are always private insurances you can get during your 3 years. Though, they can be pricey, you will only need it for 3 years. Your school should also have health insurance for students so that can be an alternative to look into.

Assuming you are working in acute care/sub-acute or psych, saving your "spot" is something you definitely shouldn't concern yourself with. I'm sure you know but the nursing shortage has worsened since the pandemic and I'm sure your job would gladly put you back to FT and/or I'm sure you could easily find another FT position elsewhere.

3 years seems a bit long for the program. I would guess that it's a 3 year extended program (1-2 classes per semester/quarter?). If you do take the PT position and a faster option to get through the program quicker than 3 years I would recommend that. Having 5 days off per week is plenty of time to study, do course work, and have clinical.

I was on the PT list for 2 years. Even if I hadn't gone for FNP, I would still take that PT position. Many of my fellow colleagues want to go PT and it is not a position that is often open or offered to many. Definitely don't pass up this opportunity if I were you...

[jwirth.rn, BSN, RN]

I am in my last year of an AGACNP program and I second the recommendation to drop to part-time if you have the opportunity. You'll have more time and energy to dedicate to school work (which is like nursing school on steroids!) and decrease the chances of anything going wrong with school.

The Marketplace is a good place to find insurance that isn't insanely expensive.

I am doing this with family support but also have an energetic 7 year old. So I work 1 day per week during this last year, teaching clinicals, but my preceptor hours are heavy and I don't see her very much during those weeks (current preceptor is 7 on 7 off). If you have the chance to do this now, before you have kids or other responsibilities, you'll be much happier.

Good luck and kudos!

[iNurs5, CNA]

That's a tough situation. We're in the same boat. I'm a CNA and a student nurse. My workplace insisted I work FT. I was deteriorating medically. Juggling my school and medical appts. I converted to a PRN. I didn't have a schedule anymore. I chose my school and took a personal loan to keep myself alive.  That's on top of my student loan with FAFSA. I don't really have people to help me, but it's okay. I'm used to it.  I'm a semester away from graduation.