Working while in NP school?

Trauma Columnist · Aug 16, 2009

Many nurses work as they go thru grad school. Usually your RN shifts can't count for clinical time because as an RN you are not doing APN duties.

Christen, ANP · Aug 17, 2009

It is possible with most programs to work and go to school. How much work really depends on how your program is set up, how many days you have to go to class / clinical, and what your work schedule is like. It is highly unlikely that your program will allow you to use your work time as your clinical time as you won't be working as an APN, you'll be working as an RN, and it's sort of a conflict of interests, like clocking in for 2 separate jobs at the same time.

UVA Grad Nursing · Aug 17, 2009

I agree that you will not be able to 'double-dip' your clinical hours for your work hours. In my own program, the practica are at the end of the program (20 hours/week for 2 semesters). For those semesters, most students drop down to a .5 or .6 FTE employee.

Until that point in our curriculum all the courses are didactic only (1 day a week). In this part of the program many students are able to work three 12s and take 12 credits of didactic classes.

cmercadorn · Aug 28, 2009

I'm currently in a CNS/NP program and I'm able to work fulltime (12 hour shifts) and go to school. Currently I have class one day a week and 1 to 2 days a week for 15 weeks I have to do 12 hour shifts for clinicals. What I did was save some of my pto/vacation days so when I need a break I can take time off from work, and still keep my fulltime status.

IMABSNRN · Aug 28, 2009

I would think most NP programs would be geared toward those adult learners who are not only juggling school but a mortgage, family, bills, etc.. I know I fit into this category. I cannot quit work to go to school.

cmercadorn · Aug 29, 2009

I would think the same. I know that in the program I'm in all the students work and have families. The school is very accomidating and the majority of classes meet on mondays or tuesdays, which makes it easier to make my schedule for work. However, it is definetly easier if you work 12 hour shifts and only have to work 3-4 days a week.

mom2michael, MSN, RN, NP · Sep 3, 2009

I still work 3-12 hour night shifts per week and attend a full time, online FNP program. It isn't enjoyable and my family life suffers sometimes - as well as my sleep most of the time, but it is manageable.

I would say that probably 90% of the students in my class work at least part time if not full time. Very few of us have the luxury of working PRN.

For me I'm thankful I work full time, it really keeps me motivated in school and keeps me plucking through my assignments in a timely fashion. I'm tired and cranky some weeks but it's all good. Each assignment gets me that much closer to my final goal of being a FNP.

allnurses Guide · Sep 6, 2009

I assume the OP meant can the clinical days work around her work schedule, not can they count for both.

I work fulltime and am doing ACNP part time. It's very, very time consuming and I have no idea how I will work it out once I start clinicals. In fact, I have just delayed the start of my clinicals until next fall, because work is busy with travel etc and I just can't be out one full day per week.

hopeful_army_NP · Sep 11, 2009

Working fulltime is do-able. Once you get to the clinical portion you may need to cut back on your work hours unless you work 12 hour shifts. You will need to find preceptors that have hours the opposite of your work hours. You will need to also find time to study, prepare papers, presentations and clinical write ups. At the end of my Adult NP program I went to part time work. If you can't go to part time work for financial reasons then working fulltime can work, it will definitley take you longer to complete clinical hours though. Your family and friends will need to be understanding and be patient. Good luck!