have to work full time and study full time

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so im a new grad RN, recently hired at a med-surgical floor and...got a full scholarship to a uni (rn-bsn). I am really happy and grateful, but.....both the school and hospital require me to be on a full time status. My job is 8 hour shift (5 days a week, 3-11)....

Ive started to worry. I love both and dont want either one to suffer...

has anyone been in this situation? How did you manage?

Thanks

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Specializes in Critical Care.

I went through nursing school as a single parent of three, worked 16 hours a day on Saturday and Sunday, then attended school 8 hours a day Monday through Friday.

If you want it bad enough you will do it.

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Specializes in Pediatric ICU, PH, Telephone Triage.

Hi Lookforward, sounds like having a scheduled plan with built in rest and fun is needed. When I was in nursing school I would take every opportunity to bring my work and training together. So if I had an assignment that was with several diabetics I took advantage of that for writing a paper or outlining a care plan. Does that sound reasonable?

Desiree

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Specializes in Hospital Education Coordinator.

I worked full time and school full time thru ADN, BSN and MSN. However, my kids were grown. I had to train family and friends not to call during certain periods or expect me to be present at every function. I let the house go. I just got extremely selfish with my time. Now I can afford to have someone else clean the stupid ole house.

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Specializes in ICU.

I'm not a nurse or even in nursing school yet, but I work 60+ hours a week (I'm a 3p-11p shifter also with lots of overtime on weekdays and call pretty much every weekend) and take a full class load every semester (18-20 credit hours), and as much as I'm allowed to over the summer (12 credit hours).

I'm sure the material in your program is more challenging than my pre-reqs, but you're not alone. It's exhausting, I feel you there. I get about 4 hours of sleep a night, and have been running on that for the past year. Someday, it'll be over though, and it will be worth it!!

Hang in there!!! :)

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Specializes in Med/Surg/Tele.

Is it possible for the school to put your scholarship on hold for a year? Maybe you could do that, work for a year at your job, get comfortable as a new nurse, then go back for your RN to BSN.

Just a thought. I'm sure like others have said, if you truly want it, you could find a way to make it happen. But being a new grad is stressful, especially starting your first nursing job, and try adding schooling on top of that, both full time......

I'm getting stressed & losing sleep just thinking about it

good luck and congrats!

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I worked full time and went to nursing school full time. You can do it, if you really want it! The only thing to remember to do school work everyday, not to let it pile for your days off. Just drop your social life, and all will go well for you! =]

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Specializes in Emergency.

You can do it!

I did the same thing and made it. I just have one tip. Keep your mind on work at work. Being a new RN is tuff enough, but having classwork on your mind when thinking about drug compatibilty doesnt fly for long. Concentrate on what your doing when your doing it and will all fall into place as you get use to your new schedule. Good Luck!

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Specializes in Admin.

YOu just have to bust your ass. really. and don't worry so much about knowing everything when studying. The truth is, is you won't remember it unless you use it anyways.

I mean, you want to do great on your tests, but don't stress. it'll all work out like it's supposed to.

goodluck!

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Specializes in multispecialty ICU, SICU including CV.

Agreed with the busting your ass part. After doing a BS and then an ADN as a single woman with no kids, I am now doing a BSN at 3/4 time, and then will do an MSN full time with a husband, 3 dogs, and 4 children (3 of them are under 5.) I have great tuition reimbursement and want to take advantage of it and have a goal job in mind at the end, so that is where I am at. It's gonna be 2 years of mostly hell but I'll get through it. You can too -- but you have to be disciplined and know what to focus on and what to let go. Good luck.

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