Telling your employer that you're going to nursing school

[sherilyn321]

Hi there! So I plan to start an evening LPN program in August, while still working during the day. I work until 3:30 p.m. and my REGULAR schedule does not interfere with my plans to go to nursing school. However, sometimes I have to travel for meetings. I plan on writing a letter to my employer explaining that I will not be able to work additional hours or travel while I am attending the nursing school program. Does anyone have any experience in this? Was your employer supportive?

Any "key words" I can use to coerce (for the lack of a better word) them into agreeing to my letter? I really fear that having to travel to a meeting would fail me out of clinicals/the program. If it came down to it, I really would fear having to choose between continuing the nursing program and having to quit my job or keeping my job but having to quit the nursing program.

[cdgpatterson]

All you can do is ask I wouldn't tell them of your plans just ask if you can not go to the meeting and if you can have a set time then you will know. If you tell them you are going to school and it does not have anything to do with what you are doing now they might be upset because they know you will be needing special treatment while there and be leaving after that. Afterlike a month of LPN school you an go take your CNA test then as a CNA you can work weekends only and attend school all week and they will work with you because they will want to keep you as a nurse. Do you have assisted living where you are you can be a resident assistant without a license they train you on the job and they are flexible as well and you will gain valuble experience

[caliotter3]

My DON was supportive of my school plans when she hired me. Unfortunately she left. The floor supervisor, a new employee, told me off when I needed a schedule accommodation for school. She readily gave a change to suit the whim of the other nurse I worked with. The one who wasn't hired because she was in an RN program. The one who slept all night. I made up my mind when I got treated that way, that my days would not be many after that and they weren't. Just go to your employer and put it out on the table. That is the up front and professional way to do it. Either he will work with you or he won't. He may suggest you leave the job or you can make that decision if he can't accommodate your wishes. You must remember that he has a business to run and that is foremost to him. Good luck with this.

[Justanotherday]

I am only in prereqs, but I do believe the nursing program at my college is not every day. Perhaps if you know that, say, you never have classes on Fridays, your employer could make sure to schedule meetings on those days? Is there some flexibility to the meetings and when they are?

[MiahMSN, MSN, RN]

Well I'm hoping to start a direct-entry program and it will be fulltime. The students advise students not to work, as your schedule is never consistent and you can be in class from 8-3 one day and 8 hour clinical shifts the next day (or night). I'm a busy marketing specialist for a healthcare plan with the traditional 9-5 hours, so there is no way I can keep this job. I hope to work as a CNA during school as I know it's one of the few positions that I can find that has the type of hours that will fit into my program schedule (night shifts).

With that said, I haven't told my employer about me possibly starting in the fall. During my review last year, I mentioned I had an "interest" in nursing, however, I didn't elaborate on my plans. If it is a job that you think you can realistically keep during school, then I would mention it so that they can determine if they are willing to work with altering your schedule somedays and being understanding of this new aspect of your life. It is also good to mention it eventually to see where they stand and if they are not willing to work with you on those days that you may have to switch things up, it gives you time to look for something else. Tell them how much you have enjoyed working with the organization and how you would be greatful for the support and understanding and you plan to still give 110% to the organization and your position.