Working full time + clinicals

[HOPEforRNs, ADN, BSN, MSN]

I have a weird situation. I am a faculty member at a University in the nursing department. I am 60% FTE so I do NOT qualify for tuition reimbursement, but that was not a concern for me because faculty in the College of Nursing cannot also be students in the College of Nursing.

However, our Dean just got approval for faculty to attend graduate programs within the College of Nursing if we do not teach in the graduate program. I was super excited because I only work with BSN students and I really want to do our FNP + DNP program. However, you must be at least 75% FTE to get tuition reimbursement. Tuition reimbursement is 100% of tuition with no work commitment so it's a big deal.

A girl in my department is leaving. I could take her 100% FTE position and be golden for tuition reimbursement. My concern is that if I work 100% (I can only work Mon-Fri between 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM), I will not have the ability to do FNP clinicals.

My other option is to turn down the 100% position and attempt to get the College of Nursing to increase my FTE to 75%. There is no guarantee despite a departmental need (our last request was for 100% FTE for me and they only increased me from 50% to 60% FYE). If the request is approved, I will be golden. If it is denied, I will not be able to financially afford to go back to graduate school.

I have to decide prior to knowing if they will increase my FTE to 75%. Any hints, tips, or guidance would be much appreciated! Will it be possible to get 650 FNP clinical hours over 3 semesters while working Mon-Fri daytime hours? Is risking not being able to go back worth possibly only being 75% FTE?

Thank you!

[Jules A, MSN]

So you lost me about 1/2 way through all that but hopefully this will be helpful on some level. I did most of my FNP clinicals in an urgent care setting which was open 24h as well as weekends so I almost never did a M-F day shift. If you are lacking in hours for things like gyn and peds you might need to schedule the M-F portion during your University breaks or arrange for some vacation time. I worked full time, as did a few others I know, but it requires being willing to make sacrifices especially with weekends and holidays.

[BloomNurseRN, ASN, BSN, RN]

Not in an advanced degree program but I used to work in a Walk-In Clinic where our providers would bring students in on the weekends. We had APN students and MD students that were completing clinicals on Sat/Sun so it was definitely more convenient for them. Good luck!

[zmansc, ASN, RN]

So you lost me about 1/2 way through all that but hopefully this will be helpful on some level. I did most of my FNP clinicals in an urgent care setting which was open 24h as well as weekends so I almost never did a M-F day shift. If you are lacking in hours for things like gyn and peds you might need to schedule the M-F portion during your University breaks or arrange for some vacation time. I worked full time, as did a few others I know, but it requires being willing to make sacrifices especially with weekends and holidays.

I'm assuming your school has you find preceptors. I am also assuming that there is a high demand for preceptors in your area. In which case, I think it would be difficult (but certainly not impossible) to limit yourself to the few possible preceptors who might be available on off hours with either a 100% FTE or 75% FTE position and get all of your clinical time in as described.

Jules A did give a suggestion of the most likely option if you choose to go this route, and that is if your school will allow you to get all your clinical hours in facilities that are open 24hr. ED, Urgent Care, etc. Even retail during weekends for some. It won't be ideal, but it could be done if all the pieces fall into place.

I would suggest start with checking with your schools requirements for preceptors & sites, to see what limitations that gives you, then networking with your friends in the provider community to see if you can find sites that might be available to you. The more connections you have the more likely you are going to be to succeed in this plan.

Good Luck!