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Discussion

TCC Nursing Program and Working...??

Good Morning,

I am taking pre-reqs at this time with the hopes of entering TCC's nursing program in fall 2010 or spring 2011. I have done some research on the class times, and it looks like there is not a lot of offerings to accomodate full-time work schedules. The clinicals alone look like 12 hour stints. Of course, my research could be faulty.

Has anyone gone through the program and worked full time? If so, how did you do it since I do not see how someone can take distance courses (I do not see any offered), and if clinicals are 12 hours in the day...well let's just say that I do not know how anyone stays sane doing 12 hours clinicals, 8 hour work day, and studying.

Maybe that is my issue...I want to expect to stay sane...:chuckle

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i just posted a question about this too! i am not too sure myself! it is really frustrating to me! aren't community colleges supposed to aim at being convenient for those who work full time schedules, and can't afford to go to traditional 4 year universities? it is also annoying to how the portsmouth campus is the least busy campus, however that is where they decided to designate all of the nursing courses???? i live at the beach, so how in the heck am i not only supposed to work, but afford the gas to go to portsmouth every day and wait in traffic because i have to go through that ridiculous tunnel!!! ok, i vented and now i am done, lol. sorry i couldn't be of more assistance, but i share the same frustrations as you and i guarantee that we are not alone :no:

  • Guides

As far as I know, most all nursing programs are full time day programs with a hearty recommendation to work as little as possible through the program due to how rigorous and demanding it is. I am not sure why they are scheduled the way they are except for perhaps the fact that instructors are in short supply, making it necessary to hold classes during the day, both for the purposes of consolidating students in one place at the same time and for the purpose of getting and retaining what instructors they can. It could also be that hospitals may not be staffed well enough on night shifts to accomodate nursing students doing clinicals.

I don't think very many people manage to work full time during nursing school, not only due to scheduling complications that make it hard on an employer but also due to the time demands of nursing school outside of class and clinicals. I just got accepted and am trying hard to set things up so that I don't have to work during school or if I do, to only have to work 10 or so hours a week. There are definitely those who manage to work full time through school, but I think they are in the minority.

I assume that since this thread was started in the Texas Region section...that you were asking about Tarrant County College? I am in the program and graduate in May. :yeah: I'm in the pediatric rotation right now, and have lecture on Mondays from 8am-12pm....and one 12-hour clinical on Thursdays from 6:30am-6:30pm. Previous semesters I went to the school for lecture two days a week (2 hour lecture)....and to the hospital for clinicals two different days a week (6 hour clinical). Don't forget all the preparation you're responsible for before you attend your clinical day....you are required to go up to the assigned hospital the day before (usually from 2pm-6pm) and pick out your patient for the following day....which you must work up a care plan for...research and be prepared to give their meds....understand their disease process and which nursing implications that disease process entails....it's quite a bit of work up time, as you will spend the day before preparing for clinicals...can't sugarcoat it...it is what it is. We won't even go into the study time necassary to do well with lecture tests. I'll let your imagination run wild. It is tough...but doable.

I understand your frustration with what Nursing School hours look like....and they are a beating, but it is what has to happen if you're looking to finish an RN program in two years. Its like drinking water through a fire hydrant!! But you can do it. You may have to reevaluate your priorities...and spending habits, but it can be done. Hope that helps...Good luck to ya......

Steph :nurse:

  • Author

Thanks Steph, and congrats!!! I was going to see if I could juggle a full time job, however I think that further research and conversations with you great people has decided for me really. It will be part time at best.

I really appreciate the responses and time you all took to respond, I know schedules are crazy. :yeah::loveya:

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