Work and School?

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Anyone work and go to school for LPN at the same time? Can it be done? I applied for the LPN program and was put on the waiting list and figured I was out of luck for this semester, howerever in less the 24 hours I had a call saying I was in and need to register for classes!

I will be taking 14 credits and this will be my first semester (of 4), I only have to attend school on Wednesday from 8-1pm and Thursday for 2 hours. I have 3 classes online. However I also have a mortgage and husband and 3 kids to feed lol...so I am wondering those of you that work how many hours are you working? Would I be insane to go to school and work 20-30 hours a week? I work from home now and can schedule my hours whenever I want and can work anywhere from 20-60 hours a week, but I think I would like to get out of the house and find a pos. as a CNA. How many hours do you all work while in school?

Thanks for any advice!! :icon_hug:

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Specializes in Allergy and Immunology.

Hi Melindakay21,

Currently Im in my third semester of 4 of my LPN (I was going part-time), and this semester I will be taking 12 credits and 11 the next. I will have class 3 days a week starting 08/25 and then in October my clinicals start and will be in class 2 days a week M and F and then clinicals TWTH. I am working currently 40 hrs per week and I also do so during school. Luckily I dont have kids b/c I would never see them I guess. I also have a mortgage to pay so working at least 37 hours a week is critical. Its really tough i dont see my husband that much most days of the week. So when school starts here is a typical day for me... I am gone from 7am-8pm almost everyday, I work for about 1.5 hours, go to class from 9-12 and back to work from 1-8pm. Yikes :eek:! But you gotta do what you gotta do. My grades are decent, I have managed to maintain a 3.5 so far (I have never been a 4.0 student). So all this working is not affecting me too much yet. but we will see. Spring semester will be the same also. Well I hope that helps.

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Specializes in Onco, palliative care, PCU, HH, hospice.

Hi there, congratulations on getting accepted into nursing school! Yes, it is possible to work while going to school. I worked as a CNA while in LPN school, I typically worked weekends 7p-7a and would work a four or eight hour shift during the week when time allowed. Keep in mind I don't have children or a spouse though. Working while in school is very difficult, but it is possible if you find an employer who is flexible, which I have found that most healthcare facilities are flexible if you're in school because as an employee you're an investment by becoming a nurse! Best of luck!

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I really wouldn't suggest working tons. You really need to be perpared in case you can't work as much as you'd like. My program was super rough, most of our students who started working full time couldn't do it, they had to drop a few days. It really depends on your program, if your program isn't really rough and you can learn quickly you are better off. I would suggest asking work to let you work weekends 12 hour shifts. The last thing you want to happen is not to be successful because you worked more than you studied.

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Thanks for all the responses! I did apply at a few hospitals the other day but no call yet. I think I will continue to do my at home job because you can not get anymore flexiable than that really. I can work whenever it fits my schedule..pay isnt the best but it is doable. If the hosp calls I think 2-12's or maybe 3-12's would be good if 2 of the shifts were on the weekends. I am just so excited to get started with school!! I am sure it will all work out somehow!

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Yes it is possible. I am a single Mom of a 10 year old. I work 40 hours Mon - Fri from 7:30 AM to 3:30 PM. My classes are Mon - Fri from 5PM to 10PM. Am I tired? yes. Do I miss sitting down with my daughter for dinner? Absolutely. Will I be going to school forever? No. I had a long discussion with my daughter before committing to school. You just need to remember that this is for only a short time, it is not forever and it is to better your lives. We sometimes need reminding but we are happy and I have the great support of my daughter and my family and friends. My parents are a great help by watching my daughter at night while in school. The one thing that I did pray for was energy. I do not have a great amount of energy but I have enough to get through. As long as you are supported and your family is understanding you will make it. Good Luck :yeah:

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It's amazing what we can do if we really want something. I'm starting to think that all the specifics about work hours/family style/financial situation, etc. is given too much energy in worry. To think about how things can be done before we do them can be more tiring than doing them (and seem impossible). I think drive, inner strength, faith, and effective, hard work can accomplish almost anything. You've got to be ready for sacrifices, though. Good luck to you! And, do everything you can to minimize work hours--NS really does require 100%, no doubt.

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I don't have a choice, I have to work or I don't eat. I work 3 days a week, which is 24 hours a week. It's very hard and I'm the only one in my class that has to work. Everybody else has a husband to support them which is something I don't have. But they're struggling just as much as I am financially. I'm in my 3rd term of 4 in nursing school and it's hard but it can be done. Good Luck

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I have classes Monday through Friday from 7am to 1pm. I have worked it out with my current job to work Friday from 2pm to 11pm and Sunday from 7am to 5pm. I could squeeze in Saturday for more money but I'd rather have time with my family

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I applied at some Hospital so that i can get into the feild a little but no calls yet :(

However I am already freaking out over Medical Term. and the class hasnt even started yet. lol

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Don't worry over med term. It is a lot easier than it looks! Once you learn the basic prefixes and suffixes, the terms just sort of fall into place. I made flashcards for mine!

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I have that and Ant & Physiology online so its freaking me out! lol

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