Working throughout a NP program?

Brylyn · May 17, 2011

Congrats on the birth of your daughter. I am currently in a part-time FNP program with 2 kids and I work full-time. It is VERY difficult. There is no way I could be in the full-time program. I average 20-25 hours a week on homework/studying and that doesn't include actual class or lecture time. Good luck with your decision.

NPinWCH · May 17, 2011

I agree with Brylyn. I'm not saying you can't do full time school and full time work, but it's gonna be difficult. I have 2 kids and went to school part time and worked full time. Did my hours on nights Fri, Sat and Sun then school/clinicals during the week. It was tough.

apocatastasis · May 17, 2011

I'm in a psych NP program. The first year I and one of my classmates (in a similar situation as yours) split into two part-time years. I work part-time (anywhere from 12-35 hrs a week), she works 40 hrs a week as a single mom with a 1.5 year old daughter. We are both about to lose our minds, her definitely moreso than me. NP school is not med school, but it is still very demanding of your time.

I dunno how your program is structured, but our last year has to be done full time. I do know that there's not a very good way to work full time in our program, even with 12s. I have grappled with this myself... you think you can find the time physically, but can you find it mentally? Are you going to be able to handle schoolwork, and 2 full days of clinical a week, find adequate time for sleep, and take care of your daughter? That's a lot of schoolin... and you need to succeed!

LiLoRN · May 18, 2011

First off congrats on your little girl! Listen, I am in awe that you are a single mom and working a full time night job AND choosing to go back to school. I have a 2 year old and a 6 month old. I quit my job last year to go back to school b/c I knew I couldn't handle all of it. I even decided to go to school part-time. You are blowing me out of the water! My opinion is that you should do part-time school. In my program, part-time only extends my graduation one year...what's a year, really? It will go by fast and maybe you can save some sanity. I hope you have a good support system, it's so hard to balance all of it!! Good luck!!!

mojopsych · May 18, 2011

I am currently entering my final semester of a PMHNP program and I have worked fulltime and gone to school fulltime throughout the program. I am a single parent with two kids that are now 9 and 7 years of age. I started my program in Fall 2009 and will be done this August. I currently work overnight 7p-7a but I did work 7a-7p for the first year of my program. It has been tough but it is possible. I am going to go down to part-time or not work at all for the summer semester, which is my 360 hour practicum. Anyway, good luck with whatever decision you make.

chaley777 · May 19, 2011

I don't have children, but I worked full time through most of my program. I also worked 7p-7a every friday, saturday and sunday. I did clinicals on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, school on Thursdays and homework whenever I could fit it in (one of the benefits of nights is that I could often find time to read a bit). My boss was nice enough to let me take a vacation day or two each schedule and that made a HUGE difference. Just a day to catch up on laundry and life in general :) You've made it this far, so I know you'll do great in the program as well! Good Luck!

jamesy7 · May 20, 2011

Thank you all for the responses! Depending on the financial aid package/loans I qualify for I want to cut back on working, if I can swing rent and childcare, my mother watches her for now, but she wouldn't be able to watch her while I work and go to school.

I'll be entering the psych NP program as well, apocastastasis and msjoseph. Can't wait :)

applesRN · May 20, 2011

I am also considering full time NP school (not in -yet!) and working FT. My problem is the stress of my job. I have a very stressful PT job- but with great flexibility in schedule and pay. Someone suggested I switch to nights, but I'm not sure my body could handle that. To take a less stressful job would be much less pay. If I had a great job with low stress, that might be worth it to work FT. But then I don't know how I'd have time to do school. My child lives with her dad and I only see her about once a month, so I don't have the day to day parenting to consider.

One thing I would suggest that you consider: your darling new baby will only be a baby once. Is it worth all the time and effort right now?

Lovanurse · May 20, 2011

I am a single mother, have 2 semesters left for my FNP, and also have 2 children (little girl born 2/18 :). Personally, I couldn't see myself working and going to school full time. But I am doing accelerated part time for DNP, and it has worked out well. I had to quit 3/12s at the hospital and do home care (for scheduling reasons). It's rough but it will all pay off at the end. Just try not to consume yourself with school and work. There should be certain days that are just for the children :-)

CCRNDiva, BSN, RN · May 21, 2011

I'm not in a NP program yet but I just completed my RN-BSN Completion program in 10 months while attending full time (13 credit hrs in Fall, & 17 credit hrs in Spring). I'm a single parent of a 10 yr old and 16 yr old. I worked part time (2 12s/wk w/ occasional extra shift) as a critical care charge RN on the night shift throughout the program. It wasn't easy but I made it work. I figured it would be better to cut back on work so I could complete my program more quickly. My sister helped me with the kids a lot but I missed field trips and school programs. I'm lucky that my kids supported me going back to school. They were and remain my motivation. They give me high fives when I get an A and remind me to get off the phone when I have homework, lol!! I plan to continue working part time while attending school full time when I start my ACNP program. I'm taking advantage of the summer off to work more and pay off some bills.

I'm not trying to be insensitive, but your daughter will not remember these next few yrs but she will remember the life you will be able to provide for her when you complete the program. Just think, you will have more control of your practice, better hours and better pay. Remind yourself of this every day and you will make it. Good luck, you can do it!!

apocatastasis · May 23, 2011

Thank you all for the responses! Depending on the financial aid package/loans I qualify for I want to cut back on working, if I can swing rent and childcare, my mother watches her for now, but she wouldn't be able to watch her while I work and go to school.
I'll be entering the psych NP program as well, apocastastasis and msjoseph. Can't wait :)

I'm excited for you, and I hope it's a great and worthwhile experience!