Working during school?

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Specializes in ER, ortho, tele, PCU, GI.

I am currently enrolled in the FNP program part-time at UTA and work full time (3-12 hr shifts). I have taken pedi management and I'm currently in psych management. I will take adult management and advanced nursing role this fall and then Family I, Family II, and Practicum next year. I will graduate next December (2014).

I was wondering if I will be able to maintain a full-time work schedule throughout the rest of the program. I have heard that the clinical hours required for Family II have increased and not sure if I will need to cut back at some point. My husband is self-employed, so I carry the benefits. Should I look for a PT job with benefits or will I be ok? What do you think?

Thank you!!

Mindy

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I worked 28 hours/week....two 10hr weekday shifts and one 8 hr Sunday and found it to be as much as I could handle with trying to write 20+ page case studies every other week, attending class and obtaining my clinical hours (besides family obligations). My workplace has tuition reimburesment at 30 hours and I also carry the benefits so I used 2 hours of vacation time each week to fulfill that. It worked out for me but it was still A LOT and I couldn't stop counting the weeks until I would be done micro-managing my own life.

I think full-time is too much. But, having said that, i'm sure its been done. Do you have any earned/vacation time where you could drop hours (maybe to 32) and use 8 hrs/week until graduation?

Good luck :-)

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I managed to work my 52 hour work week and do all my class and clinical work and maintain a 4.0 gpa. As the only income in my household I didn't have a choice. I made it work even though it was not easy at all. I found a preceptor that worked 10 hour days and was able to work a longer clinical day also which helped.

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I have to agree that longer clinical hours makes it work. I am currently doing 12 hour shifts at the ER with my preceptor. It really makes the time go quick! I work 3-4 days/week during the regular semester. It helps having a flexible job. It is doable. I feel sometimes like I'm burning the candle at both ends, but it's only one more year!!!!

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This is encouraging! I'm a new nurse but was accepted to an FNP program starting in August and plan to be part time student full time working. I have no kids and no husband so I assumed it would be doable but if you super moms are doing it then I for sure can

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I am switching to 12 hr shifts at work to start an NP Program. I have to work full time and now I'm not so sure full time school is going to be possible.

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I ended up having to quit but mental health is a different bird. Finding preceptorship who work 12 hour shifts was impossible. Hardly anyone works weekends. And to get my time in I have to travel between sites to see patients. I have 270 clinical hours this fall 180 hours in spring then I am done!!!

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Hi,

I'm currently enrolled in a NP program full time and I'm currently working full time 3(12 hour)shifts. Not to mention that I have a 12week daughter and a 3 year old in addition to being married. I believe that you can do it. Working 12 hour shifts isn't all that bad. I make my schedule work for me. I usual schedule my self to work Sunday, Monday and Tuesday of 1week and the next week I work Thursday , Friday and Saturday . This way gives me 8 consecutive days off. This long stretch allows me to do clinical a, catch up on reading, homework and study for test. I hope this helps...

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Specializes in Nephrology.

I am currently enrolled in an FNP program full time. I have a 4 yr old and a 5 yr old, am married (and he works full time and goes to school), and am working full time with newly implemented mandatory overtime...so about 50hrs work, 12 hrs clinical, and school stuff. It is online, so that helps! I'm super stressed and very tired, but it is doable! Good luck!

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I am currently enrolled in an FNP program full time. I have a 4 yr old and a 5 yr old am married (and he works full time and goes to school), and am working full time with newly implemented mandatory overtime...so about 50hrs work, 12 hrs clinical, and school stuff. It is online, so that helps! I'm super stressed and very tired, but it is doable! Good luck![/quote']

WOW! Like your user name, just keep swimming!!!!

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Specializes in Nephrology.
WOW! Like your user name, just keep swimming!!!!

That's why I changed my user name! Lol!

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Hi,

I'm currently enrolled in a NP program full time and I'm currently working full time 3(12 hour)shifts. Not to mention that I have a 12week daughter and a 3 year old in addition to being married. I believe that you can do it. Working 12 hour shifts isn't all that bad. I make my schedule work for me. I usual schedule my self to work Sunday, Monday and Tuesday of 1week and the next week I work Thursday , Friday and Saturday . This way gives me 8 consecutive days off. This long stretch allows me to do clinical a, catch up on reading, homework and study for test. I hope this helps...

Which school are you going to? I am applying to the np program at unf this march and am wondering if that is where you are enrolled since your from Duval county.

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