Work full time & School or Just School??

[Seaglass1972]

I am just curious what some of you have done. I am 43, back in school right now at Quincy College Plymouth. I work full time, I am a single mom and honestly worried about the full time job and trying to complete the nursing program. I am still finishing my pre-reqs and I have to take the TESA before I can be accepted into the program. Not sure if I should go down to part time at my job so I can go full time days, or do the evening program. With the day program I will be home with my son and I won't have to worry about not seeing him at all. I do have family to help me with him, but I don't want to never see him. I tried to do this 6 years ago at Cape Cod Community College but the time away from him them had a big impact on him. I was only doing pre reqs at that time as well. Just sharing and asking any advice. I want to be a nurse and I have been waiting to do this for a long time. Just worried about not ever seeing my child, the amount of work and trying to work a full time job.....

[tbunker]

It will be a sacrifice but if you really want to become a nurse it's what you have to do. I am working full time right now too, but I already know that come August, when the program starts, I am going to stop working or just work 1 day on a weekend. This program is not something you can give half or some of your attention to. It's got to be the main focus of your life for the entire time until you're finished. Than, you'll have a great career ahead and will be glad you made the sacrifice when you did.

[akulahawkRN, ADN, RN, EMT-P]

I was able to work full time while attending school full time. It was NOT without problems. On two occasions I had to work out shift swaps with multiple employees because my clinical schedule interfered with my work schedule. During those weeks where I was working the swapped shift, I didn't get much sleep in a continuous bout, instead I had to nap 2-3 hours between work shifts and school/clinical. On my "day off" from work I would sleep as much as I could. I had to be very careful about managing my sleep because I also found out during one of those swaps just how dangerous and insidious sleep deprivation is.

My advice is simple. If you can figure out a way to not work, or work minimal hours while going to school (with school being primary), that would be best. Otherwise do whatever you can to make sure you get sufficient rest, appropriate schedule changes, and the like. Once you're in the program, the program is likely going to be more inflexible than your job will be.

I was very lucky that I was able to work full time while going to school full time. Very, very lucky that it all worked out. Just one hangup/glitch and I would have been required to either quit work or quit school and NEITHER was an option.

[Seaglass1972]

Thank you. I am going to try and cut back to part time. When I put it down on paper, I will be at work M-F 9-5, then the program I am going into is either M-F 7a to 3pm, or nights 3p to 10p. Becoming a nurse is too important. I will figure once I get through it, I will find a better job and it will all be worth it. Thanks for the supportive comments.