working during clinicals

carachel2 · Mar 16, 2010

Ummm....YEAH! If you can emerge from NP school with a family that still recognizes you and a body that hasn't completely gone to pot then TOTALLY cut back on your hours.

I flexed things quite a bit in NP school depending on the type of class and clinical hour requirements. I will say that I did not work at all during my last semester that required > 400 hours. Getting that many hours in during one semester is pretty much a full-time job and then some considering you have to enter all of your patients into a computer system. I had one day off per week just to catch my breath and relax and I'm glad I didn't have to worry about work as well.

allnurses Guide · Mar 17, 2010

I managed to work about 14 hours a week while I was doing both clinicals and didactic together. Those 14 hours were comprised of 6 hours on Firday eves, and every other weekend 3-11. I would have much rather not worked, but that wasn't an option for me. Sometimes it was ok, other times it was too much.

VivaRN · Mar 17, 2010

I worked weekend option nights with no classes Monday morning. The money was great for the hours, though it was difficult going so long without a free weekend, or day when there wasn't "something." Still, I was able to support myself through school.

Dixiecup · Mar 19, 2010

I worked 40 hours a week till the very end, even with clinicals. It was exhausting but I couldn't afford not to. I would not advise it. My body or emotional state have still not caught up on rest.

SteveNNP, MSN, NP · Mar 21, 2010

I worked my same 37.5hr/wk FTE all 2+ years of NNP school. Half on night shift. I lost weight, was exhausted all the time, but made it through school with no debt. If you can afford not working, then do it. Especially when clinical starts. Otherwise know that others have done it working FT, and will keep doing it.

Bidwillty · Mar 26, 2010

you can work, do clinicals and go to school, but it sucks you dry and you barely recognise yourself and your family start to wonder who you are, but its only 2 yeasr, so go for it......

linearthinker, DNP, RN · Mar 27, 2010

I work one FT and one PT job totaling 50 hours a week. I work nights at one job, go directly to the next job, nap in the afternoon. I've been at it like this for 3 years (2 years doing BSN, one year of grad school). I have taken 10-11 graduate credit hours a semester (which includes 120 clinical hours) and I'm raising 4 small children. I study 30 hours a week and have a 4.0 average, and still make it to most of the soccer games, etc. I do not make it to the gym, watch TV, read for recreation, or get much leisure time, and my house is a sty (which is fine b/c mostly live out of a suitcase I keep in my car, lol). If it weren't for facebook I would not have spoken to some of my friends in at least a year. My school tried to place me 90 minutes away for clinical; I know that opportunity was an outstanding one, but I had to force a situation that was close to home w/ a less stellar medical staff, but you can't have everything. That is the only real sacrifice I have had to make.

My kids have learned the hard way that if something isn't scheduled a minimum of 72 hours ahead of time, it isn't going to happen. They have missed a few dances, birthday parties and so forth, but I think it OK that they learn that the whole world does not revolve around them! I have classmates that take fewer credit hours, work fewer hours, don't have children and still whine, lol. So far the only real problem has been that I have gained 15 pounds from too much processed and fast food and lack of exercise. I have another 3.5 years to go FT (DNP student), so I hope I don't gain another 15 pounds!

If you are like me, someone who likes being full throttle 18 hours a day with no days "off," it is totally doable. I love school! The only stress I feel consciously stems directly from the weight gain, which is my own fault. Bananas are just as easy to grab as cheeseburgers, after all! If you want to maintain a size 4 athletic figure, hobbies and have a clean home, it's probably not a good idea.

efy2178 · Mar 27, 2010

I worked 1/2 time and it was doable. Tough but doable.

carachel2 · Mar 27, 2010

I still say if you don't HAVE to do it, DON'T. There are no badges handed out to those who just have to kill themselves and have an insane life during grad school. You gotta do what you gotta do so if your family depends on it, then by all means.

Rachel D · Mar 27, 2010

Thanks for all the input everyone. Just trying to get an idea of what's possible without getting sucked physically and emotionally dry and still have time for life and people. I love nursing, but it's not the only important thing :). Anyways, I'm going to save as much upfront as I can and then work to keep some food on my table.

Dixiecup · Mar 27, 2010

I work one FT and one PT job totaling 50 hours a week. I work nights at one job, go directly to the next job, nap in the afternoon. I've been at it like this for 3 years (2 years doing BSN, one year of grad school). I have taken 10-11 graduate credit hours a semester (which includes 120 clinical hours) and I'm raising 4 small children. I study 30 hours a week and have a 4.0 average, and still make it to most of the soccer games, etc. I do not make it to the gym, watch TV, read for recreation, or get much leisure time, and my house is a sty (which is fine b/c mostly live out of a suitcase I keep in my car, lol). If it weren't for facebook I would not have spoken to some of my friends in at least a year. My school tried to place me 90 minutes away for clinical; I know that opportunity was an outstanding one, but I had to force a situation that was close to home w/ a less stellar medical staff, but you can't have everything. That is the only real sacrifice I have had to make.
My kids have learned the hard way that if something isn't scheduled a minimum of 72 hours ahead of time, it isn't going to happen. They have missed a few dances, birthday parties and so forth, but I think it OK that they learn that the whole world does not revolve around them! I have classmates that take fewer credit hours, work fewer hours, don't have children and still whine, lol. So far the only real problem has been that I have gained 15 pounds from too much processed and fast food and lack of exercise. I have another 3.5 years to go FT (DNP student), so I hope I don't gain another 15 pounds!
If you are like me, someone who likes being full throttle 18 hours a day with no days "off," it is totally doable. I love school! The only stress I feel consciously stems directly from the weight gain, which is my own fault. Bananas are just as easy to grab as cheeseburgers, after all! If you want to maintain a size 4 athletic figure, hobbies and have a clean home, it's probably not a good idea.

Oh yes, the weight gain! Glad you mentioned that, I had forgotten that little tid bit of info! I am still not back to my pre-degree weight, but that is the last thing I needed to concentrate on!

I also think age has a lot to do with it. I could have done this with a lot more ease at thirty vs fifty. My head said go, go, go! But my body said stop, stop, stop! So if you're going to do it, I would advise doing it before your body is old and worn out!

I admire your organization and stamina, but near the end you WILL run down, no matter what age. One of my instructors said to us at one point, " you won't believe how tired you are going to be when this is over". And was she ever right! Tired isn't even the correct word, I don't think there is a word for exactly how you feel but I feel like I will never catch up no that I'm done, I am so exhausted!