Raise your hand if you worked and went to NP school full time?

Trauma Columnist · Aug 5, 2013

Oh yeah....3 12s in a busy level one trauma center night shift.

For my second APRN program, I was working 50 hrs as an APRN...

gambron · Aug 5, 2013

That's what I'm currently doing....working 40+ hours a week and taking 2 classes each semester.

uronurse1 · Aug 5, 2013

I did. I worked full-time the first and second semester (my third trimester of first pregnancy), then took 90 days of maternity (during which I completed my last full-time semester), and returned to work after 90 days working 20-30 hours per week (with a brand new baby) for my last two semesters along with 20-25 clinical hours. So it can be done. I have a ton of family/husband support- would not have been able to do it without them. It absolutely can be done!

jenniferm1023 · Aug 5, 2013

I worked 52 hours a week all the way through my NP program.

TheDude77 · Aug 6, 2013

I did. I worked full-time the first and second semester (my third trimester of first pregnancy) then took 90 days of maternity (during which I completed my last full-time semester), and returned to work after 90 days working 20-30 hours per week (with a brand new baby) for my last two semesters along with 20-25 clinical hours. So it can be done. I have a ton of family/husband support- would not have been able to do it without them. It absolutely can be done![/quote']
How many classes at a time?

uronurse1 · Aug 6, 2013

How many classes at a time?

Three classes is considered full-time, 2 and less is part-time. It took me 5 semesters all together as I did the compact plan and my classes were 2, 3, 3, 2, 2 (36 total hours). I had to do 20-25 hours clinical hours x 3 semesters and 65 during one.

Oh, and I wanted to add that I have maintained a 3.9 GPA. We'll see how boards go but so far so good.

barefoot_girl · Aug 9, 2013

I did. I worked an average of 60 hours weekly and traveled three states doing clinical research. It was hard and I never left my PC on the weekends. I spent every night in my hotel plugged into WiFi and reading. It is do-able but you really have to keep up. I attended the USI FNP track, an online program, and took two courses each semester. I found the hardest part was in the summers when I did not take vacation because I was saving my hours up for my clinicals. It was hard, but I would do it again in a heartbeat.

Debbie

barefoot_girl · Aug 9, 2013

I did. I worked an average of 60 hours weekly and traveled three states doing clinical research. It was hard and I never left my PC on the weekends. I spent every night in my hotel plugged into WiFi and reading. It is do-able but you really have to keep up. I attended the USI FNP track, an online program, and took two courses each semester.

I found the hardest part was in the summers when I did not take vacation because I was saving my hours up for my clinicals. I ended up with 675 clinical hours and was thankful I skipped vacations and didn't have to take off without pay. It was hard, but I would do it again in a heartbeat.

Debbie

JerseyBSN · Aug 14, 2013

I work full-time and go to school full-time. I am one tired woman but I'm determined to get done and will be soon!

TashaLPN2006RN2012, ASN, RN · Aug 14, 2013

I am not sure if I will be able to continue my FT job I have now when clinical time starts, but I do plan on working while doing the beginning theory courses. I work M-F 830-5p, off on holidays and weekends. I'm not sure how I'd be able to fit clinical hours in working that schedule. I'll probably start looking for 3-12hr shift positions as it gets closer to clinical time! =)

BenGRN · Aug 14, 2013

I currently work full time days 3X12 hr shifts in oncology while attending UCLA's Adult-Gero ACNP program full time. So far so good, but it is a very difficult schedule. If you don't handle stress well, it is not recommended. Also, you need your manager on board to allow you to make your schedule work out.