Some advice on trying to work and do school full time.

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Specializes in Case Manager.

I just received an offer from the hospital for a full time nurse's aide position in the critical care unit at the local hospital. It's a real big milestone for me because I want to work in critical care when I graduate, so I can see myself working this unit as an RN when I graduate as a real possibility. It will be full time and night shift which means that it will be three 12 hour shifts from 7p-7a. The job also required every other weekend. As of right now, I can do that no problem at all.

Come third semester, which by far is said to be the hardest semester, I'm gonna have class 3 days a week. It's advanced med/surg and mental health I believe. It's a 2 year ADN program. Monday and Tuesday will be lecture and I'll have a Saturday clinical from 7a-7p.

Anyone been in this situation? I need some pointers to help me juggle this schedule out.

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If you don't HAVE to work full-time then don't. Why set yourself up to jump even more hurdles to the finish line. Maybe once school starts you can move to part-time? Every semester is hard, not just the third. Our school (as well as the local hospitals) suggest working no more than 16 hours per week while in school. Actually my hospital won't allow more than 16 hours. Good luck on whatever you decide.

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Specializes in Case Manager.

Yeah, I do plan to work full time in the summer since I won't have any other obligations and I'm hoping they'll reduce me to part time. But I was hired as full time so...

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Did they not ask you about school and how you would be able to handle full-time in the interview?

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Specializes in CNA.

I agree. If you don't have to work that much, then don't. Do they have a PRN position open there or somewhere else in the hospital? Even if it's not where you want to work, you still have that connection within the system. And you can transfer. I say if you don't have to work AT ALL, then don't. But I understand this could help your chances later.. and well, some people have to work period.

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