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Discussion

Working + School?

So I have finally decided that I am going back to school! I recieved my RN from a very good diploma program in Cincinnati, and have recently taken a position in psych after doing a year+ of medsurg. I LOVE it just like I thought I would. So I decided to just go for my NP since I'm only 22 and my career is my focus right now. I have a fiance and we will be getting married in May of 09 and he is supportive of this. However, I do need to know how to juggle school and work at the same time. What is the best shift to work? How many hours am I going to be able to work? I know it depends on the course load, but I need a general idea. I don't really know if this is going to happen if I can't work full time. I was going to do the RN-MSN, but I foresee that as being very fast paced and in depth. So maybe it would be better for someone like me that has to work to do BSN first then get my masters? I just don't want to get burned out between the two programs which I tend to do.

I will probably be going through the University of Kentucky by the way. If anyone has ever done their MSN or NP through them, please PM me or something! I'd love to know your experience!

Featured Replies

  • Guides

Hi,

I am in a Master's Entry program, and have managed to continue to work 20 hours per week in a hospital lab (my original career). It's really not an option for me not to work-I have 2 kids, a house, car payments, yada, yada, yada. I am working 2nd shift, and so far, it has been manageable, but tiring. However, I will be dropping 1 day of work per week when I start my NP clinicals in the Fall, just to make it a little easier on myself. But I do plan on working Friday evenings, and every other weekend for that year. My advisor thinks it's doable. I think it can be done, if you have good time management skills.

Good luck!

  • Experts

I am enrolled in a 6-8 credit/semester part-time NNP program. I am managing so far while working FT night shift. I work every Th/Fri/Sat pm, and have one class each on M/W. This allows me to have 4 days off work in a row every week, which I can readjust back and forth in. We do self scheduling, and I am able to switch weekend shifts, so it's worked out so far. I receive $10,000 tuition reimbursement/yr for staying FT. I *may* go per diem this fall when clinicals start, for more money, flexibility, etc. I'll lose my tuition reimbursement, but I'll make $15/hr more.

I attend an FNP program and work FT. The way I've managed it is to work weekend option plus 1 day during the week (36 hours). That leaves me with 2 days of clinicals and 2 days for classes/homework. I don't exactly have much personal time but make the best of it.

My husband and I have been together 7 years. I've been a student for nearly the entire time starting with pre-reqs, nursing school, and now the master's program.

The payoff is worth it in the long run. This December I'll graduate and essentially double my current salary based upon a potential job offer.

Best of luck to you! I've thoroughly enjoyed learning the FNP practice.

Even as a brand-new nurse, I found that taking one course while working full-time was entirely feasible. School might have cut into my TV-watching time, but it did not impact my life in any measurable way except for a few days right before big papers or presentations were due. Now that I'm working banker's hours, I am hoping that I will be able to complete two courses per semester to speed up the process. I should be done in about two years from now at the pace I'm going...

i graduated from a bsn program in 04 then i completed a ms that i began before the 2 years in ns. now i want to go back for my phd but i also want to try again to have a baby before i get too old and i do research now so i carry a pager most days. as one gets older, it gets more difficult to be flexible but rather than say, "i should have done this years ago," i would rather say," you are never too old and it is never too late, till you are under the ground or even when i get close, again, as i have been to the other side and back already twice,i do not want to say,"i should have," so i will try. as should anyone who has the dream in their heart. the hardest part is getting here, to be an rn, the rest is icing. :heartbeat

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