Working Full time through Full time LPN School. Crazy right?!

mirandaaa · Jun 5, 2015

People do this all the time.

Just be prepared to be tired often and miss out on a lot of quality time with your child for a while.

Red Kryptonite · Jun 5, 2015

When would your clinicals be? And classes would be 6-10 pm five nights a week? Who will be helping you with child care?

I just finished the first semester of an evening LPN program. Mine only lasts two semesters, thank God. Anyway, we started out with a few days of 8am-4pm labs, but then most of the semester was two days of lecture 5pm-9pm, and one full day of clinical. Mine was Saturday 6:45 am - 7:15 pm. That worked well for me because my husband was home. It also fit in around my three 12 hour NOC shifts during the week, and my employer works with people who are in school.

It's doable, but yes, you and your kid will feel like you never see each other, and you'll feel like you have no down time with studying between classes and clinicals. The payoff at the end will be worth it, it just sucks getting there.

Good luck.

Hollyhocks720, MSN, NP · Jun 6, 2015

It is difficult and you will be really pressed for time. Some community colleges have extended programs so you can stretch it over 6-9 semesters - including summer semesters. Lots of people do it. Plan on some sleep loss and no free time though. All my working friends felt pretty stressed.

ss.love · Jun 6, 2015

I finished the LVN program last December while working days and going to school full time in the evenings, another lady in my class had the same situation with kids also. It was NOT easy, but it was do-able! I suggest getting your homework done for the week during the weekends, and studying in between work and school. I did not have much time for my husband and family but it was worth it in the end and it went by really fast! Good luck :)

FutureNurseKali · Jun 7, 2015

I also was thinking about attending an evening LPN program since I work full-time days (8-5) as a lab technician. I'm sure it will be a challenge, but I'm also sure it's possible. I also was wondering if you had clinicals in both LTC and hospitals? I've heard some programs only have them in LTC, which would make me feel as though I'm being cheated out of rotations for OB and Peds

Red Kryptonite · Jun 7, 2015

My program has LTC clinicals first semester, and OB, peds, and med-surg second semester.

TBH I wonder about the OB. We won't be within ten miles of OB as LPNs, but whatever.... knowledge is never a bad thing.

jojo489 · Jun 7, 2015

I worked full time through my LPN program. It was crazy, but I did it.

Ps we had two doses of LTC, and time in med-surg, psych, and maternity.

I got lucky when they let us in the OR, and I got to see an AKA and a c section.

CNAAJ · Jun 7, 2015

Id try to find a job that offers 12 hour shifts if you must work full time work Friday Saturday Sunday and call it a day. Idk what type of work you currently do but I believe in some states once you complete your fundamentals/foundations of nursing 1 class you can take the CNA state test so that home care might be a option. Hours are more flexible and if you find a good paying one your in luck. I work full time now and I don't have children, im in a 12 month full time program my grades are excellent but its hard work. If you can find a job that still offers you what you need without going so many days a week please go for it.

HDHRN · Jun 7, 2015

I worked as a full time medical assistant while going to school to be an LPN. It wasn't easy, but I managed. I didn't have any kids either. I worked from 8 to 4:30 and went to school from like 5 to 9 I think. I didn't go five nights a week. Hopefully you have a good child care plan for someone watching him/her while you go. I have an almost three year old and luckily I have been able to work it out between my mother in law and my husband while I have been in school to complete my ADN to watch him. Good luck!

NurseLamar · Jun 8, 2015

Hi NewNurseStudent

I will be doing the same thing as you. My LPN program starts in September 9 months 8:00-1:45 m-f every other day (following public school system) and everyday second 9 months. I work 11-7 five nights a week as a CNA. Academically, my situation is a little different because I have completed all of my RN prereqs at a university but I'm leaving due to admin and accrediation issues and I don't want to go through the transfer process into another 4-year university because there maybe more prereqs that I would need to complete specifically for that university; so at least when I get my LPN within 6-12months of being a nurse I could transition smoothly into a LPN-BSN program.

Many people have tried to discourage me from wanting to do an LPN program and/or working full-time while completing such a lpn program, but I tell them that taking nursing in steps makes me more well-rounded and versatile. As far as working full-time, I have to.

Nevertheless, you will do fine and keep in mind that this is a stepping stone for your professional and personal advancement and for your child. Nursing school will become your life and you need to beware of that but once its over and you've passed your NCLEX it'll all be worth it. Good luck.

NewNurseStudent · Jun 8, 2015

I really appreciate your post because it seems sincere. The truth is that LPN full time, work full time, and a child is a lot of work and it will be hard. But I have made up my mind about it. I will follow through with the LPN program because I want to have a meaningful profession, start gaining experience, and also, I have a whole academic year before I can apply for the RN program at my community college.

@NurseLamar, CNA just like you I have all my pre-reqs except my 2 anatomy courses which I will do simultaneous with the LPN program. By the time im done with the LPN (14months from August '15) I would have applied for the LPN-RN program and be on que to enter in Jan '16 for the bridge program. I would have only about 5-10k in loans. Not the 40-60k other private schools leave you with. I rather take more steps LPN-RN-BSN-MSN and be debt free then leap to BSN and have 50k in debt.

NOTHING will stop me at this point, im like a bull dozer. I will check back with you guys!