Work & School

Trauma Columnist · Jun 25, 2004

I did it and though not fun by any means, I survived. However, I worked full-time nights as a tech and then LPN while I pursued the RN..good luck.

purplemania, BSN, RN · Jun 25, 2004

I worked full time for a group of surgeons while getting my ADN. My classes were Tues/Thur. night and clinical was all day Sat. Then, I worked full time as staff nurse while I got my BSN (part-time, of course). I am now in grad school and working full time in staff development. So YES! it can be done. You have to FOCUS on what you are doing right now. I don't take school work to my job and I don't concern myself with my job when I am away. Don't get behind. Find someone to help study with (as long as they are serious too). Forget about much of a social life, but try to balance your life so that you do something for yourself. It can be done.

nsgstudentjen · Jun 25, 2004

Hi there, I was working full time (8am-4:30pm) and taking classes part time in the evenings. It worked pretty well, my boss was flexible to some degree with my schedule (leaving a little early, etc) so that helped. It depends on your job and commute, etc. I agree with no social life, though. Sundays were "study day" when I camped out all day at the library. Sat afternoons I did chores (I lived alone) I couldn't get done during the week. If you are organized and able to multi-task then do it. I recenly moved from MA to CA and will be doing full time school so won't be able to work.

Good Luck

Jen

Tweety, BSN, RN · Jun 25, 2004

I didn't have a choice either. When there's a will there's a way. I was very driven back then (what happened to me know I'll never know) and it was tough. But I worked full time and made A's. I worked in the evening in a restaurant and they were flexible, and some weeks I would put in part-time hours, but never less than 30. It was hard, exhausting and tough, but definately doable. You've got to have motivation, and don't get behind.

But the only way I made it through was to have all my coreqs done before I started nursing courses. Took me longer, but that was the only way I could do it. I couldn't imagine taking nursing, a&p, english, and working a full-time job. :)

Good luck!

cherokeesummer · Jun 26, 2004

I'm doing it too. It is hard but I managed to get an A this term, which is rare according to my profs. You can do it but it will be tiresome at times! Just remember to keep the faith!

cherokeesummer · Jun 26, 2004

PS - I work 8-5, Mon-Fri and go to school, every Tues and Thurs night from 6-10 and every other weekend, Sat/Sun 8am - 3pm.

HUGS!

Lilnurse0803, RN · Jun 26, 2004

Where there is a will, there is a way. I believe if you want it bad enough you will make sacrifices with your time.

I finished the last two years of my bachelor's degree attending classes full time in the evenings and weekends while working M-F 9-5pm. Now, I am working on my Associates in Nursing while still working full time. It is very tiring, yet exhilarating since every class I take is one step closer to my dream.:)

It helps to have a great support network whether it's ones parents, siblings, spouse, classmates or co-workers. Luckily I have a little bit of each of the above and they are very supportive and very helpful, especially my beloved husband, Luke. This great man puts up with everything I can throw at him.

Sadly, he is in a home-cooked meal depravation mode since I am going through a six week summer course (Microbiology) that runs M-TH from 5:45pm-9:15pm. I get home after 10pm and am tired and in no mood to cook at that time, so this means no home cooked meals for Luke until the weekend or until July 15th. Sorry, Luke. :uhoh21:

Best of luck to all full-timers.:balloons:

loriann, BSN, RN · Jun 26, 2004

I'm also working full-time now. I'm finishing my last prerequisite and will start an accelerated program next June. I do not plan on working then, at least not until I see what the pace is like. If I think I can handle it, I will work some part-time hours.