Working during school?

Published

Hi everyone! I'm starting an accelerated ADN program in September, and I hope to work so that I can pay my bills. Has anyone worked during the school year? If so, how was it balancing everything?

I'll only be taking one class per semester, but with clinicals and labs, it'll be four days out of the week. 

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in NICU, PICU, Transport, L&D, Hospice.

My spouse did that in the 70s. She completed her ADN in 2 years. She attended year round and worked nights and weekends and then knocked off the additional credits for her BS. She was young...19 at the start of the ordeal and it was exhausting but that's what her bootstraps required.  

2
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Prior military RN/current ICU RN..

I did Accelerated BSN and I worked.  It wasn't even that bad. Use it as a learning experience on time management.  I always looked at the good not the bad. It kept me on point with my studying.  When you are young the energy is endless. 

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Nursing.

I work full-time while in the RN program. I am doing well in the class.  I've never been late or missed any assignments. I still manage to date my bf, friends, and family. Stay on top of everything. Do not procrastinate. Get a calendar. 

I'm about to complete the program in two weeks! Unbelievable. It was eleven months ago since I started my LPN to RN! 

2
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Psych, Substance Abuse, Case Management.

I did it when I was in my 40s and it was easy. I worked 32 hours a week as an LPN, 16 Saturday and 16 Sunday.

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Operating room, ER, Home Health.

Yes it can be done; it will be tough. When I completed my ADN I was working full time nights in a factory, involved in my kids sports etc plus an active volunteer firefighter/EMT. There were many nights/days with only a couple hours of sleep. In someways it helped me because I could not fall back on my school work and say I would do it later because there was not any other time to do it. 

2
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in CCC; Hospice; Dialysis.

I worked full time nights during that time, but it was 3 - 12 hrs. shifts per week. I tried to do Friday, Saturday, and the night following  a no-school day. It was rough, but with a lot of caffeine, vitamins,  and most of all, prayers, I made it through! By the way, the word SLEEP was not in my vocabulary! 

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in EMS.
RDF-G said:

I worked full time nights during that time, but it was 3 - 12 hrs. shifts per week. I tried to do Friday, Saturday, and the night following  a no-school day. It was rough, but with a lot of caffeine, vitamins,  and most of all, prayers, I made it through! By the way, the word SLEEP was not in my vocabulary! 

I might do this for grad school lmaoo, Friday, Saturday and Sunday

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Nursing.

You should try it. 

I worked full-time throughout my LPN program and graduated with a 3.8 GPA.  I'm in the LPN-RN program ( 12 months without breaks) and working full-time, too. I'm doing well academically.  I think it depends on the person.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Majie said:

You should try it. 

I worked full-time throughout my LPN program and graduated with a 3.8 GPA.  I'm in the LPN-RN program ( 12 months without breaks) and working full-time, too. I'm doing well academically.  I think it depends on the person.

Sorry for the late reply! I've been serving tables since, and I honestly hate it. I did it for years, but this place is just awful! I have been applying to hospitals, but the only positions available are full time. I'm not sure if I could manage that because I wouldn't have a day to myself. I would either be at school or work.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion