The Ultimate Question!!!

llg, PhD, RN · Oct 20, 2005

Going to school full time should be the equivalent of working a full time job. Either your schoolwork will suffer ... or your job will suffer ... or your personal life/health will suffer. In reality, probably all 3 will suffer to some extent. I'm not surprised that no one can find anything good to say about that. Can you not cut back a little on one or the other by slowing your school progress and/or taking out a student loan?

llg

papawjohn · Oct 20, 2005

Hey Sriblanc

The good thing you can say about working in a hospital while going to school is that usually you can make the work schedule fit the school's schedule.

I had to work full-time while in NursingSchool and was able to do three 12hr shifts/week--on Fri, Sat, Sunday nites and the school had lectures Mon and Wed, clinicals Tues and Thurs. So I could work it out.

My first wife left me and our 2d grade dtr during my second year, so I became Mom, too.

It was tough. You do what you gotta do.

Reminds me of the remark that Samuel Johnson made about being notified that you are to be hanged in 24hrs. It sharpens the mind.

Papaw John

Jami RN, BSN, RN · Oct 20, 2005

I worked full-time while going to nursing school full-time. I couldn't have afforded to go to school if I hadn't worked full-time. Everyone told me it couldn't be done. My family was doubtful that it would work, although they did support me. The instructors told me that I would probably have to quit my job to be successful. My co-workers said that my boss would never let me work the flexible hours I needed to fit clinicals in.

I will say that those three years were physically and mentally the hardest years of my life. My boss did allow me to flex my schedule, so long as I worked 40 hours a week. I probably averaged 4 hours of sleep a night during the week. I spent every single weekend sleeping and studying. I had absolutely no social life and no expendable income (I paid all the tuition and books out of pocket).

In the end, I did graduate near the top of my class. I only received one B in college, the rest were all As. I was even asked to be the student speaker at our pinning ceremony.

Was it worth it? Absolutely! It was the best thing I have ever done for myself. My quality of life is so much higher now then it would have been had I not made the sacrifice. My opinion is that you can do anything you have to do so long as it's only for a limited amount of time.

Good luck -- you can do it!

artistnurse · Oct 20, 2005

Ohmigosh, THANK YOU!! That was encouraging. It sounds like you were in the same situation that I'm in!! I have to work full time to live and I'm willing to make sacrifices to go to school. I may be able to work something out with the hospital where I could flex also. Thanks for the encouragement even though realistically its going to be tough.

LovesGreyhounds · Oct 20, 2005

I too am a secretary at a hospital & just starting my pre-reqs for nursing! I'm scared & wondering too what kind of job I can get or do when clinicals hit as all of our area colleges seem to have them during the daytime. Good Luck to you too. I know it seems like a long road ahead but it will probably go faster than we think!

KatieBell · Oct 20, 2005

Yup, Like Jami RN, I worked Full time while going to school. I also graduated with honors from a University BSN program. It is completely possible to do. It does require a little organization, and planning.

My friend did the same thing- with a husband and she had 2 kids while in school. She also graduated with honors.

:balloons: Best Wishes :balloons:

stpauligirl · Oct 20, 2005

I've not yet had a direct response to the question of working full time while going to school full time. I'm pre nursing; no children, 29 years old, and living on my own. I work in a hospital that seems to only be interested in helping you if you're an RN going into an advanced degree. Well, I'm just a secretary looking to get my ADN. I have two more semesters and an ACT test to take before I'm done with my prereqs. (I have not yet applied to the program). Is there anyone with no kids and little responsibility who has good things to say about working full time while going through nursing school?

The ADN program director at my college does not recommend working full time. :)

SFCardiacRN · Oct 20, 2005

My graduating class had only one full time worker make it through the program. About 10 flunked out. Less than half of all 1st semester students graduated. Sounds grim but our class had a 100% NCLEX pass rate.

colleennurse, ASN, RN · Oct 21, 2005

I am in your almost exact position. I am 28 work 40 hours a week and I am graduating in May. I have been working the fulltime the whole way through. I work for a telecommunications company (8-5) job and I have been VERY fortunate that my bosses have allowed me to tweak my schedule as long as I get the 40 hours in. Just like Jami RN, I really have no choice if I want to pursue Nursing. And I also agree with her that I do not have much of a social life anymore. I earn pretty decent grades. I think if you have the will, you will do it. It will have taken 4 years to do a 2 year degree (2 years pre-reqs and 2 years nursing courses), but I cannot believe how fast it has gone. It was been tough and there have been many tears, but I already know that it will have been well worth it. Heck, my Mom always tells me that anything worth having, usually isn't easy to come by! You can do it if you set your mind to it and don't let anyone tell you otherwise

artistnurse · Oct 22, 2005

Thanks! I'm feeling more and more encouraged with people in my situation who say they've done it. And it's not impossible. I already knew it would be hard. I was just hoping it was possible.

futureTMA · Oct 22, 2005

I've personally known some single moms who've gotten through school. My aunt is presently doing pre-reqs (as am I) while having basically 2 full and 2 part time jobs due to her role. I'm friends with a lady who put herself through nursing school while working full time and going through a hurtful and messy divorce. I, myself, am doing both full time. I'd have to agree with other posters that if you want it, you can do it, but know you're limits.