work and get a masters

antares · Mar 29, 2014

Every NP program is different. I did a local program that was designed to be competed in 3 years, and the school required that it be completed in a maximum of 5 years. Working days would have been easier, but I worked full-time 12-hour night shifts throughout the program and was still able to finish in 3 years. It took a lot of planning and schedule changes to make it work. I used my vacation time wisely and took classes over the summers in order to lighten the load in the fall and spring semesters. Most of my classmates worked full time, and many took summer courses as well. It wasn't overwhelming and it was great going through the program with the same group of people over the 3 years. We supported each other. Thankfully, my employer paid most of the bill so it wasn't financially burdensome.

Once you complete the BSN program and begin working, you'll have a better idea of what is manageable for your lifestyle. Try not to think too far ahead. Good luck.

cinlou, BSN, MSN, RN · Mar 30, 2014

I worked fulltime weekends every Friday Saturday and Sunday, in a busy ER. I did my BSN and MSN Ed on line one class at a time. BSN classes lasted 5 weeks and I took one right after the other, took the holidays off and went right into my MSN classes were 8 weeks long. When I did my practicum I did take my capstone class at the same time and still worked full time didn't get much sleep towards the end but it was doable and I completed with a 4.0 so it really depends on what your other home life responsibilities are. My child was grown and I told my husband what to expect so he supported me. I completed both in about 3 1/2 years.

PG2018 · Apr 7, 2014

I got a BSN over four semesters. Geez, that sure seems like a long time looking back, but it went by quickly. Well, the first semester didn't, but that's another matter of its on. Once I graduated, I had already received conditional admission to a brick and mortar university with a partial online master's/NP program. After I passed the NCLEX, which I did the first time, I received unconditional admission, had the summer off (school-wise), and started my MSN/NP program in August of 2012.

I worked full-time through the BSN (RN) program, worked full-time in med-surg (EWWW!) the first year of grad school, quit a year to day (chuckling), got an officey job related to nursing but sans patients, and am three weeks away from finishing my second year. The wife and I are moving soon to another region of the state to give me better clinical opportunities, and I'll continue to work through the third year. Yes, my program, due to serial classes, is three years in length.

I had a bachelor's degree in another field, was more than entrenched in a previous career, and I was a strapping, bachelor when I started this game. Life has changed a lot, mostly for the better (chuckling again), and although I really want to become a psych nurse practitioner I don't think I'd do this all over again with 20/20 hindsight. I don't regret anything, but I think...well, I digress.

But to answer your question, yes, if you commit to it you may indeed continue to work.

Rnis, BSN, DNP, APRN, NP · Apr 11, 2014

our's has to be completed in 7 years but is designed to be done in 2 1/2 to 3 1/2 years.