19 years old, working full time and pre reqs.

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Hello guys! I am a 19 yr old girl who just started college this summer and so far have 19 credits and a 3.6 gpa. My college has their own hospital so I was applying like crazy for a PCT position since the summer until I finally got the job! I will be working Med surg unit, 11.83$ and hr then the pay goes up to 13.62$ hr from 3pm-7am I was so happy and excited because I really wanted this position because I know this will truly give me the experience that I need to start my nursing career. The problem is the position is full time. So i'm mandated to work a minimum of 36 hours a week. I would have loved to switch to PRN or part time but the unit is not looking for that and its a process that takes a while and I just got here so I feel like thats kinda bad to just leave the unit. and I did appy to PRN postitons but I did not get it. So far I have designed my schedule to fit my school needs . Wed 3pm-7pm, friday 3-1130pm, sat and sunday 7am-7pm. Do you guys think this is too much and I should just hold off on this job and not risk my GPA suffer or do you think this is feasible? Also some tips and study advice would be nice. By the way I DON'T have to work at all. My parents still pay for everything and my tuition is covered. I'm just doing this for me and my experience and to save some money. I just have a passion for nursing, not working because I have too.

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Specializes in NICU, ICU, PICU, Academia.

Hard work never killed anyone. If you WANT to get the experience and keep your GPA up, you can do it. Priorities. I worked full-time, had two foster children and went to school full-time during my nursing program. I gave birth to my oldest the day of pinning. It was the hardest thing I've ever done.

Good luck to you- a good work ethic is half the battle in nursing.

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Good for you! I'm sure this job will give you great experience. I think working full time during pre-reqs is certainly doable. Once you move on to core nursing classes, you may need to taper that work load down, but you can worry about that when it comes up. Keep working hard, and good luck to you.

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Specializes in Critical Care Transport, Cardiac ICU, Rapid.

Congrats OP you sound exactly like me at 19 (only a year ago but time passes fast)! The work and school schedule will be hard but trust me you can do it! Coming from somebody who used to their work wages to pay for tuition it's definitely tough but you just need to keep your head down and work hard!

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Specializes in ICU Stepdown.

I'm also working full time and doing pre reqs. I just finished this semester with all B's (I didn't try TOO hard but I have different priorities). Echoing a previous poster, if you want it, it can happen. Not sure about actual nursing school but many people on here have stated that they've gone to school full time, worked full time and had kids while in nursing school. You can do it but if it gets overwhelming you'll have to reprioritize things

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It is definitely going to be a busy week. My school recommends no more than 6 units per semester if you're going to be full time.

If I was you, I'd focus on getting something part time, or looking into volunteering at a hospital. If you can afford to not have to work it is usually in your best interest not to. It would be really unfortunate if you got a bad grade in a science prereq that ends up getting you denied entry into the nursing program all because you were tired from working full time.

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Specializes in Psych/Mental Health.

Only you can decide if it's feasible. I personally wouldn't risk it especially while you're taking pre-reqs. You really need that high GPA to get into nursing school. Your PCT experience won't get you an RN license if you can't get into nursing school. Also, many hospitals hire summer interns specifically for BSN students. It's full time over the summer, then PRN.

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I could not keep my gpa working full time in the nursing classes.(I could maintain a C+ to maybe B+ avg though I think ). I just need more study time. But I have dogs to me are like kids they need daily exercise and are high energy working breeds. I'm good with part time. Stay on top of everything. The connections you make as a pca you're gonna say are so worth it later!

And I just realized you're talking about prereqs. To me who needs a lot of study time I could get A's working ft in prerequisites. I really planned my schedule strategically though! I picked one hard prerequisite (like for me, maybe chemistry) and piled on easy ones like ex history, Spanish, religion, music. I also took summer classes for A&p and micro. That way I only worried about that and work (and dogs!!) Good luck!

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I like that idea! I'm taking anatomy next semester. And environmental in the summer because I heard it's so easy! And i thought I wouldn't want to take anatomy over the summer because it would be a lot harder.

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I could not keep my gpa working full time in the nursing classes.(I could maintain a C+ to maybe B+ avg though I think ). I just need more study time. But I have dogs to me are like kids they need daily exercise and are high energy working breeds. I'm good with part time. Stay on top of everything. The connections you make as a pca you're gonna say are so worth it later!

And I just realized you're talking about prereqs. To me who needs a lot of study time I could get A's working ft in prerequisites. I really planned my schedule strategically though! I picked one hard prerequisite (like for me, maybe chemistry) and piled on easy ones like ex history, Spanish, religion, music. I also took summer classes for A&p and micro. That way I only worried about that and work (and dogs!!) Good luck!

I like that idea! I'm taking anatomy next semester. And environmental in the summer because I heard it's so easy! And i thought I wouldn't want to take anatomy over the summer because it would be a lot harder.

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Specializes in Clinical Research, Outpt Women's Health.

That is how I did it 23 years ago. I did it because I had to, but that experience was invaluable. Latte's are your friend.

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That is how I did it 23 years ago. I did it because I had to, but that experience was invaluable. Latte's are your friend.

So so your saying it wasn't worth it?

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