Too much on my plate?

Nurses General Nursing

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I've already asked this question in a forum, but didn't get an answer at all.

I'm in a BSN program at my school and this is my first semester.

I have finished all of my CNA training and I'm just waiting to take my state test on the 21st of December.

I'm planning on getting a job at a local long term care facility working 36 hours a week (which is considered 'part time' there).

I want the hours because I need the money.

So I just need to know; how will these 36 hours a week work out once I actually start the major? Is it doable? :confused:

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Specializes in ER.

I wouldn't work 36 hrs and go to school for your BSN at the same time. I'd work part time ~24 hrs a week if you MUST work. You are going to have too much to do if you try to work full time and go to school full time. Others may say it is doable, but I disagree.

Best of luck!

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Well, it all depends. Are you going to school FT or PT? What is your schedule like? How far do you have to travel to go to school and work? Do you have any children? I'm single with no children, I work FT (36 hours) as a nursing assistant, and I also go to school full-time. It's all about having good time-management. You won't be able to find out for sure until you actually start your program, but if proves to be too much you can always work fewer than 36 hrs.

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I am going FT. Right now I go to class 4 days a week but next semester I'm going 3 days a week, my advisor is pretty good about getting me the class times that I want.

I'm single with no children as well.

I have a friend who is working in the same facility currently and shes doing the 36 hrs a week while in school, she said the same thing you did; it's all about time management.

The big downer is that my school is about a 35ish minute drive from my house. And from the facility...the facility is like a 10 minute drive from my house...

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Specializes in Ortho and Tele med/surg.

When I was in nursing school I flat out decided not do anything my first semester. I wanted to get a feel for what the workload be like for me. Then I started working as a tech in the second semester. I know that you need the money, but start off slow first. Try doing 24 hrs a week first and then gradually add the other hours. School is your number one priority. You don't want to fail out because you didn't have time to study.

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Specializes in Cardiac.

I'm single, w/ no children, in a BSN program, and started out working FT as a PCT in a busy urban hospital...I don't recommend it. Ofcourse, as another poster mentioned, time management is a huge piece of it. However, I burned out very quickly working FT and going to school FT. My problem was that I didn't have a choice; I had to work.

So, I eventually went to PT and then "Pool" which worked out wonderfully...and I graduate in 5 days, so it's definitely doable.

In the end, you'll find a way to do what you have to do to get the job done. I had to play around with my work schedule and luckily I had a very understanding and flexible Nurse Manager.

Good luck!

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What's "Pool"??

Thank you, though :) This was helpful! Everyone's answers were!

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Specializes in Cardiac.
What's "Pool"??

Thank you, though :) This was helpful! Everyone's answers were!

It means that I work, "PRN" or as needed. I don't have a set schedule. I'll sometimes call 1 hour before a shift begins and ask if they need me...I absolutely love it because most of the time, they do need me to come in and it worked perfectly with my hectic school schedule. The only drawback is that because I'm not considered FT (even though I still end up working 36 hrs/wk), I don't receive benefits. That's ok though, because I receive them through my school.

I work as a Float PCT and have worked in every unit of the hospital except Maternity...It's a great position for a nursing student because you'll get to see how every unit operates.

PCTs who are "Pool", at my hospital, do not have to work a minimum amount of hours per month. So, there were times when I had 3 case studies and a presentation due in one or two weeks and I ended up not working or barely working for those two weeks.

I was able to set my own work schedule and it worked out wonderfully for my hectic BSN program.

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I work full time because I have to, and have a 3 year old, and had to ask myself the same question if it was doable. I think no one but you can decide that, but for some people not working is not doable. I think if you are determined and keep your eye on the goal you will survive and come out of this an RN.

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