working full time- Is RN school even possible?

Tweety, BSN, RN · Nov 6, 2008

This isn't quite the right forum. I'll move it to the General Membership.

What state do you live in? That might help members advise you.

Most people that make it through working full time, have jobs that allow you to work weekends, so you can be off for clinicals during the day.

Some areas do have weekend and evening programs.

Working full time and attending school is possible with willpower and determination. Been there and done that myself.

Good luck.

allele, LPN · Nov 6, 2008

You're in a tough situation! I did work full time and go to RN school, but I was a CNA and my job at that time allowed me to work two back to back double shifts...so I worked from 3pm Friday afternoon to 7am Saturday morning, and did it again from 3pm Saturday afternoon to 7am Sunday morning. It was nice because I got 5 days off in a row, and I got full benefits since 32 hours was considered full time. I'm not sure if you have a job that will allow this, but they may be able to work with you in some way to help you out! Wishing you the best of luck! :)

shanyone · Nov 6, 2008

I've got six months to go (until gradutation) and I'm still working full time 8-5). There are night and weekend programs available where you complete all your courses and your clinicals in the evenings and on the weekends.

I've got two kids (11 and 16 now) and a husband. You've got to have a lot of family support (at least emotional support) and you've got to have their help with things like cooking and cleaning (you also have to be willing to ignore the mess that your house and your car are in a constant state of).

I won't lie and tell you it's easy, because it's not. It's been horribly hard and a huge sacrifice for over two full years, but there is a light at the end of the tunnel now and both my husband and I can see it (not sure that the kids can yet, but I hope they begin to). I'm very happy that I made the sacrifice and I'm not sure I would have come this far if I'd not been working at the same time. Working at my day job reminds me of how much I HATE sitting at a computer 45 hours a week :). It reminds me of how much I enjoy being with the patients I care for during clinical.

Good luck!

Shanyone

dvanswer · Nov 6, 2008

This can be done, I live in Tampa, FL and attend a nights/weekends program weher i got o school Mon/Wed 5-8pm and then all day Sat at clinicals 630-430. And also this semester I have a psych portion on Tuesday nights 5-8. I actually work two other jobs, I have an office position 42 hours per week 8-430 and then I work 2 (12hr) night shifts (7p-7a) each week at the hospital as an oncology tech. I have 2 children also but their time has been sacrificed for sure. I try to incorporate them as much as possible in my schedule, so they understand where my time is going. I also frequently discuss why I'm doing this and what gains we will have as a family once I'm finished. Another point is the role model example I'm setting for them. I graduate in May 09 so the light is defintely in sight for me!

If you want it bad enough, you'll find a way, make a way...

Good luck in finding a program that meets your needs in your area.

dvanswer · Nov 6, 2008

shanyone - can you contact me via private msg, we look to have some common things going on in our schedules and i'm considering moving to Ohio, I'd love to get some input from you if you're available.

PEBBLES1 · Nov 6, 2008

Yes you can work fulltime and go to school. I am doing it now and I have 4 weeks left until I am finish nursing school. It is very tough, you wont have a life b cuz ur always studying. But you can do it. I go 2 school 2nites a week and every other weekend is clinical, oh and did I mention that I work and do clinicals at the same job. So, I see my job 12days straight.