working your way through NP school

Life_Saver · Nov 2, 2006

hello, which np program are you going into.

Life_Saver · Nov 2, 2006

It is suggested that you not work during np school, but there are people that actually make it while working. I hear that they work at least 24 hours for a 2 week pay period with various schedule. Meaning working graveyards, evenings, and days when POSSIBLE.

It really depends on your employer, they may let you have kind of schedule or not.

akoster · Nov 2, 2006

I did an outreach program at Graceland University. Where you did classroom long distance and set up your clinicals where you live. I took 2 classes at a time and worked evenings. I went prn to do clinical hours because it would have taken forever to get my hours done part time. It worked out really good for me.

MikeyJ, RN · Nov 2, 2006

Also, check to see if your NP school offers their courses online. I am not an NP student, however, the NP program related to the School of Nursing where I attend offers almost all of their courses online. I am sure a program such as that definitely allows for the students to work outside of the program.

ERNP · Nov 3, 2006

I worked full time until the last year when clinicals started. Then I went part time to make more time for the extra clinical hours I wanted to do.

np_wannabe · Nov 3, 2006

Thanks for your help everyone.

I know LOTS of people who have worked full-time while going to school part-time earning their MBA, and some of them weren't even the sharpest knife in the drawer (if you know what I mean!). It meant putting in about 55 hours per week, but it seems like if they can do it, I can do it.

I was just wondering if anyone here HAS done it with NP school.

Thanks again y'all!

Trauma Columnist · Nov 3, 2006

I worked full-time while doing my APN. I had worked at this hospital for 10 years when I went back to school and had over 600 hours of PTO...so I used that in 2 week increments to do my clinicals. I would take 80 hours of PTO and do 100 hours of clinical.

prairienp · Nov 3, 2006

also, check to see if your np school offers their courses online. i am not an np student, however, the np program related to the school of nursing where i attend offers almost all of their courses online. i am sure a program such as that definitely allows for the students to work outside of the program.

be careful of the online course lure. yes, courses do fit into your timeframe and allow flexibility. many students do well, many do not, depends on what type of learner you are in these situations. the best situation is to go to school and focus full time ( i didn't say reality) on studies. faculty suggest 3-4 hours of study each week per credit taken. taking 10 or more credit per semester will not leave room for work. take the time to learn and absorb what is being taught. enjoy the academic experience, you have the rest of your life to work.

Spacklehead, MSN, NP · Nov 4, 2006

I'm in a NP program now and work a weekend program. All of the other NP students in my classes work either full or part-time.

santhony44, MSN, RN, NP · Nov 9, 2006

I was told that I would not be able to work all the way through my program.

I really didn't have a choice. I worked at least 20 hours a week. I had been at that hospital for a long time so was able to carefully choose a job that would work around school and clinicals.

Out of 6 of us, only two of us continued to work throughout. The other one had worked at the same hospital for years also and was long-time manager of a unit that could run well without her daily presence. Like another poster, she took PTO one or two days a week to do class and clinicals. The other four students were able to quit their jobs but she and I got through our classes and clinicals just as quickly and with about the same grades.

It's not easy but it can be done. (Of course I wouldn't have done it if I hadn't had to!!)

BChapp3182 · Nov 9, 2006

I am just finishing my first semester in an FNP program and work full time plus some. I'm taking 3 classes including advanced physiology and am able to do it without any problem.