Want to keep my job!!!

[chickapea]

I'm a CNA and I just got a great job in my local hospital. It's part time, benefited and on a unit I love. I've been applying to RN school for 2 years and LVN school for a year. I'm so excited to have this job. It's interesting and I'm learning a lot. Of course I still want to get into a nursing program someday. I'm worried now though that I'll have to give up this job if I get accepted. I love my job plus I need the benefits and money for my family. How hard is it to work while in a program?? I know this is an ongoing topic that depends to some extent on the individual, but I'd love some feedback. The earliest I could be accepted for is January so I have some time... just wondering. Thanks!! :redpinkhe

[scrublifenurse10, LPN]

I'm in my second year of LPN school...I spend about 32-36 hours a week in classroom and clinicals. I also spend an additional 2-5 hours a day studying, and work part-time. I'm married, and have children (teenagers). YES...it is very hard...but if you are determined to do it, you can make it. All you need is support of your family, your workplace (for scheduling), and great time management. Keep working the job you love, because working as a CNA will give you a great advantage in nursing school (my opinion).

[Adams_Mama_07]

If you allocate a certain timeframe each day for studying than it should not be any trouble. For me I allocate approximately 3 hours/day for studying Mon-Fri, and up to 6 hours each day Saturday and Sunday. It's like having two full-time jobs I'm sure, but I work fourty hours a week now, am a full-time post-baccalaureate student completing pre-reqs, have a two year old, and pursue hobbies. I will be cutting down to 32 hours/week at work (to keep benefits) and cut back on hobbies when I start the program though.