Work and Full Time School??? YIKES

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Hi - For those of you who went back to school when you were a bit older (30-40's) did you also hold a job or did you just go to school? Also, for those of you who managed going back to school, did you also have a family and young children?

Thanks in advance for all feedback!

Specializes in ER.

No need to bore you with details.I have always had at least two jobs, And during nursing school. I actually worked three jobs, while going to a full time RN program, If you have support and some reallllly good study habits, it is possible, I know you can do it It may seem really hard and at times you will want to give up , but that made me want it so much more!! The rewards are Great and you will feel so accomplished. GOOD LUCK with all your future endeavors!! :)

PS You can do anything if you put your mind to it !!

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Hi - For those of you who went back to school when you were a bit older (30-40's) did you also hold a job or did you just go to school? Also, for those of you who managed going back to school, did you also have a family and young children?

Thanks in advance for all feedback!

I started LPN school about a month before I turned 38. I have a hubby and 2 children. I also work 30 hours a week BUT I do my work from home for the company I work for. I pick and choose my days/times I work as long as I get in 30 hrs. I think I have it much easier than those who have to work outside the home with set days and times. Don't get me wrong, its still difficult to juggle work, home, family and school. You manage or you fail. Some in my class just cannot handle work and school others work 40+ hrs and do just fine.

If I had my choice, which I don't, I would much rather just go to school. It can get trying when you know you have a big test coming up and little time to study do to work responsibilites.

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Specializes in ER, tele, vascular.

Just chiming in on this topic. I did the same thing, school plus full time work. I did 2 16 hour shifts on Sat - Sun. That gave me fulltime status at work, and then school during the week. I had all of the usual stuff family, rent, car payment, and bills.

Good luck,

Craig

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Specializes in floor to ICU.

I think we will all look back and wonder how we made it... I know I will. There is finally a light at the end of the tunnel (2 semesters until RN) and it's NOT a train! ;)

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Specializes in Hospital Education Coordinator.

I worked full time during my ADN program, M-F, 8-5. My classes were Tue/Thur 5:30-8:30 and clinicals all day Sat. After graduation I changed jobs to work at a hospital. The hospital reimbursed tuition for my BSN and MSN degrees while I worked full time. So it can be done. I was 45 when I started the ADN program.

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Specializes in Med-Surg/Tele, ER.

Well, I'm in the younger set I guess (26), but I've always done work/school/family at the same time. It is immensely challenging, but it can be done! This is a great concern for a lot of people on this board, and a lot of us have done it with great success. For me, my family was my inspiration for everything I did/do. Tired as hell at 4am, but get up to study anyway, because I deserve to succeed and my family deserves to see me do so.

The biggest thing for me was GETTING HELP! Have a support network, have people you can call at the 11th hour before an exam so they can take the kiddos and you can study. A lot of my nursing school buddies worked-out childcare trades, so everybody could study but nobody had to pay more in childcare expenses. Look over your resources and USE 'EM! Talk to your family and friends, tell them you're gonna need help and you sure would appreciate it if they could do so.

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Specializes in Med-Surg/Tele, ER.

Also, take a break once in a while! I never held myself to 100% attendance because a) I'd just spend the time in class trying not to fall asleep anyway b) I just don't learn in a lecture situation very well and c) Goddamned if I didn't need a mental health day once in a while. :)

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I went to nursing school when I was 32. I was going thru a divorce and needed a way to support my family. I LOVED nursing school, but those were hard years. I had a 2,6,8 and 11 year old at home. They loved to help me "practice". They'd lay in the bed while I made it around them, did flash cards with me, etc. etc. I worked too, so always felt my kids got less of me than they should have, but it all turned out okay. After graduation our quality of life improved dramatically, we were able to do things we'd never have been able to do had I not gone to nursing school. (like pay the rent!) Seriously, we were able to afford things like Christmas, back to school shopping, vacations....things I would not have been able to afford as a single parent if I were not an RN. Now I have one L&D nurse, one daughter who's about to start nursing school, one son who wants to be a Dr. but thinks he'll go to nursing school first so he can work and earn a good salary while in school, (he's a straight A college kid right now) and one firefighter/EMT. The hard years were worth it and I'd do it again. You can do it, just keep your eyes on the goal!!

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If you are highly intelligent and dont need study time or completing school related assignments, then you can work full time..

Or somtimes you can pick jobs where there is a lot of down time and you can study..

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