Working while in Accelerated Nursing Program?

JRDeeRN · Mar 27, 2013

Honestly depends on the person. I did an ASN program and could barely work 10 hrs a week but my friend could work 2 twelves as a cna and got thru it.

Depends on your dedication and self discipline and how much time you study to grasp a concept.

I always needed to study 10x more than the person next to me to get thru nursing whole some people got it all within 4 hrs of studying.

I know that's not very helpful but that's about all I can offer

molls4 · Mar 29, 2013

I'm in an accelerated program like you're about to start. I made it two months of working 20 hours a week in a restaurant and had enough. The stress wasn't worth it for me during the fist semester because everything was so foreign. I needed to adjust to studying and getting tested in a new way. I'm lucky that I have loans and money saved up. (I worked full time while doing my pre-reqs.) That being said, after I finish my first semester of clinical, I'm eligible to apply for tech jobs. I want to get a PRN job somewhere in a few months so it's not overwhelming and its a foot in the door. There are plenty of accelerated students who are working in school and manage just fine. But, everyone is different. Hope my experience helps!

dialysisnurseLC · Mar 29, 2013

I too am in an accelerated 15 month program and i currently work about 28-36 hrs a week as an LPN at a dialysis unit and PRN for my local Hospice. I work on my free days from school. I kinda have to but I am considering cutting my hours cuz one often classes is really hard and is taking a lot more hours to study for! It truly does depend on your dedication and how much stress you can tolerate and how much financial support you have from your family. I recommend saving as much as you can for school right now and maybe working only one shift a week. I live in Florida and a lot of hospitals hire nurse techs and allow them to work PRN. Good luck! I hope this helps

Wildcats.Cabral · Mar 31, 2013

Cincinnati, man I miss that city and the chili, but I digress. I am a non-traditional student in a BSN program. Not accelerated, but I had a hard time keeping up with working 20-24 hours a week. I now average about 10 hours a week and do okay, but I am also well into the program. I would agree, that it depends on the person and to be wary in the beginning until you get a good grasp on what is needed time wise to excel.

kespelage14 · Jun 7, 2013

I'm in my third semester in the MAGELIN program and I agree with JR-it really depends on your self discipline. I'm in a situation where I have to work, I have a mortgage, car, day care etc. I work as much as I can based on how many days we have off from school/clincal. Weekends are when I get all my hw and studying done. I've maintained a 4.0 gpa so I can't complain.

sharpeimom · Jun 7, 2013

My opinion is slightly different. I say don't work unless you absolutely positively have to work. An accelerated program demands everything you have. You will be more tired than you have ever been before, study more material in a shorter period, find time for clinicals, have almost no social life for the duration of the program.

I'm not trying to be overwhelmingly negative, but that's how it works. I'm glad I did it, but would I want to do it again? I think I might do the regular B.S.N. program instead,

MathHatingNurse · Jun 7, 2013

I have to work at least 50 hours a week and will graduate from an accelerated program in 10 weeks. It's not easy, but if you organize your time well it is very possible.