Working Full-Time while going to school?

Brazilian · Sep 28, 2008

In January I will start college for the first time. If I was younger this would have been easier. However, I have a family, mortage, car payment, & 2 wonderful collies. I`m the main provider for my family. & can`t afford to drop to part time at work.
I`m looking at 4 semistars of college including the Pre-nursing courses. Which probable means 2 yrs of school. Community college doesen`t seem to teach LPN classess during the summer. Is it possable to work full time & go to school full time? Have any of you done it? or have any advice? or do I need to slow down & take more than 2 yrs to get it done?

Hi Zalan!

I wanted to work full time while going to Nursing school, but it was impossible to me. I first reduced to 3 days a week and ended up working 2 days a week only, with one day only during the finals.

Most of my classmates had to reduce on working load as well... few survived doing full time schedules (my heroes :bow: ). The time will be your best answer!

Good luck

systerm · Sep 29, 2008

:chuckle :yeah:

:yeah: :specs: :chuckle :chuckle :bow: :yeah:

Ahum..like..Noooo:no:

levisandtees · Sep 29, 2008

I worked full-time in an office while earning my LPN (one semester for generals and two semesters nursing core)...I didn't have a choice financially...31 with two teens and a husband that traveled the majority of the time...no vacation or time to myself for that matter because all flex time went toward missing work for clinicals and exams.

If you do it, my advice is to resolve to not stress over perfection--there was no way possible to maintain a 4.0 and it took me awhile to come to terms with that.

Best of luck with whatever route you choose!!

Jules A, MSN · Oct 1, 2008

I worked a min of 30 hours a week as did many of my class mates. It isn't easy but very doable if you are a decent student and have the motivation. Good luck!

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Oct 1, 2008

I attended a LVN/LPN program at a trade school from Monday through Friday during the hours of 8am to 3pm, so I could not work while attending this program.

I will be attending an RN trade school program next year, and I intend to work full time weekends as an LVN/LPN during my time in the nursing program. Hopefully this will reduce the amount of debt I have to incur. In addition, I do not want to destroy my savings.

akantner · Oct 5, 2008

From my experience: While doing your pre-req's working full time is possible...try to do some of your easy classes online to help your crunch. Check the teacher reviews about your class and time req'd at rateyourproffesor.com.

During a full-time nursing program (post-pre-req's) I would NOT advise working full time. In my class of 30 there were several of us that started off working full-time and eventually we all cut back (all except 2). Those two made it possible by working a CNA baylor shift (friday night, sat, and sun). This was very tough for them but at least it left the weekdays to study. In my nursing program we had tests daily and working more than a couple hours after school each day would have been next to impossible.

GOOD LUCK!

Zalan · Oct 8, 2008

After speaking with my Admission Advisor. It sounds like I have year to go before being able to enter into LPN program :cry: . Belive it or not Algebra is what killed me. Took the local Compass test for the Community College. Did great in Reading, English, & Pre-Algebra all 80`s to 90`s.

Algebra is what is keeping me out two of my Prerequisites. Not sure to laugh at myself or slap myself :banghead: . Admission Advisor said to easy myself back into going to school recomend only starting 2 classess, & 3 atm. Luckly those starting 3 can be taken over Internet. Then can take my Anatomy, & Physciology I & II.

So it looks like have a year of Prerequisites before I can start the LPN program. After all thats out of the way. I have 30 Credits to get, 12 Classess to take including clinicals. & after entered into the LPN program one has 2 years to finish it. He made it sound like its going to take 3 years total to get my LPN :argue:. To be realistic with having a family, full time job, etc.

On the other hand crossing my fingers that I`m going to get a PCA job. Only bad thing is it looks like a 2.50/hr pay cut. PCA seems to be very similiar to CNA with a few more things to do. I was told I would be doing EKG`s, Cathadars, Wound/incision care & simple dressing changings. Hospital said they didn`t use CNA, becuase State Law Prevents CNA from doing Cathadars.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Oct 9, 2008

Algebra is what is keeping me out two of my Prerequisites. Not sure to laugh at myself or slap myself . Admission Advisor said to easy myself back into going to school recomend only starting 2 classess, & 3 atm. Luckly those starting 3 can be taken over Internet. Then can take my Anatomy, & Physciology I & II.

Algebra killed me at the community college level, too. This is why I attended a private trade school LPN/LVN program, which offered admission with no prerequisites. In addition, I've been admitted into a private RN program that starts in 3 months.

If I had gone the community college route, I would have needed 3 semesters of remedial math classes before I would have become eligible to apply for any nursing programs.

litebrightgirl · Oct 11, 2008

There's a girl in my class who works 60hrs a week full time and goes to school full time. It can be doable.

Ilithya · Oct 12, 2008

I got a loan for 1 year of school to get my LVN and I didn't work. Now Im working full time while getting my pre-reqs for LVN-RN transition, and when I finish them (this semester) I will continue working full time while I do the transition program online

fancyme50 · Oct 30, 2008

HI, And yes it can be done, I worked full time and did lpn school with a husband and teenager along with being 50 yrs old. I am now working as a lpn after gradurating in June. I sometimes wonder how I did it, But it can be done.l

Good luck!