Yes, it's possible to go to nursing school and work full time...

CT Pixie, BSN, RN · Jul 14, 2016

Just re-read my orig reply to this post from 4/22/12...at the time I was in the LPN to RN program.

Fast forward..graduted the RN program and continued on for my RN to BSN. Still worked full time job (40hrs/wk) and a part time job (24hrs/wk) and graduated cum laude with my BSN this past May.

FutureRNJuli · Aug 17, 2016

Wow, your experience is such an inspiration. I will be starting my nursing classes on Monday 08/22/2016 until summer 2017 and will try to maintain my full-time job. Like someone mentioned earlier in this post, it's best to keep my foot in the door since I'm working at a great hospital (as a Medical insurance verifier). I'll be sacrificing time away from my husband and 18mo son, but it'll be worth it in the long run. I know it will be one heck of a roller coaster. "Nothing worth having comes easy"

pharmtoRn · Aug 27, 2016

Thanks so much Gunnelsm for sharing your experience and providing encouraging yet realistic advice!! I currently work f/t and take nursing pre-reqs part-time at my local community college. Like you, I have to work f/t to support myself and my ill mother. Once I am done a few more pre-reqs, I plan on applying to an evening nursing program. It's been a while since your post so I hope you've met your goal:)

rock hopper · Nov 29, 2016

I know i'm bumping an old thread but i'd like to chime in and see what others think.

I've gotten to the point where I'm about 90% sure I won't be able to finance nursing school without working. My family cannot help me out as they have their own issues. I have a good job as a CNA, and my plan is to work weekends and a few nights during the week. It's going to suck and may result in a few all nighters during the week, but I can realistically bring in around $500 a week. I am going to work construction for the next 8 months or so and try to save up 25k for living expenses while i'm in school, and pay out of pocket with aforementioned weekly CNA pay. Sure, it's a big risk. If I get hurt or sick and miss a payment i'd have to take out loans.

But in the end, there is no feasible way I could go to nursing school full time and not work at least part time. Better at least to attempt to make the monthly payment and grind it out..maybe take out 10k to 20k if ABSOLUTELY no other options are available.

lebelesprit_ · Jan 13, 2017

You guys have inspired me tremendously!!!!

NurseKash · Feb 7, 2017

I start school in May 2017! I work full time and will be in school full time. Not to mention I have four children from the ages of 14 to 10 months. This is about to be a long journey for me and I plan to take it one day at a time without stressing. To top everything off, I'm a single mom who lives out of town away from all my family. But with GOD on my side I know I can do it.

elefante1 · Jun 6, 2017

Hi, I am struggling to find an LVN or RN program that is held at night or weekends. I work full-time during the day, and I cannot afford to leave my job. Other hours are not available. I wish to know if there are schools that do accommodate around the Fresno, CA area. I've called a ton of schools. Most are cohort based, and classes are held during the day. Any help is appreciated.

sfwant2beRN · Aug 14, 2017

elefante1 said:
Hi, I am struggling to find an LVN or RN program that is held at night or weekends. I work full-time during the day, and I cannot afford to leave my job. Other hours are not available. I wish to know if there are schools that do accommodate around the Fresno, CA area. I've called a ton of schools. Most are cohort based, and classes are held during the day. Any help is appreciated.

I was wondering if you were able to find a school that you can go to in the evening.

Have you looked into gurnick? I think they have a location in Fresno Ca. Good luck

lexybrazil, BSN, RN · Oct 1, 2017

I know this thread is old but I'm in the process of getting into an accelerated BSN program and I know I'll have to work at least 32 hours a week to support myself. I'm currently an LPN and I work as much overtime as I can to save for next year. I'm determined though and reading all these posts has me thinking anything is possible!

IdrisSedai · Oct 2, 2017

I'm working a full time job and a part time job (one shift a week) while in my first semester of nursing school. I've only had one exam so far- 100 NCLEX questions- and I made a 96%.

I'm able to do it by cutting out basically all social life. I don't have a family life to speak of, so there aren't other obligations getting in the way. If I had literally any other obligation in my life, I'd definitely be struggling to keep my grades where I want them. Right now I'm devoting myself to studies, but when I feel myself getting close to a breakdown I'll probably coast a little bit. :cheeky:

JEStewart · Oct 2, 2017

Reading all these stories helps me calm the building anxiety about next year. I start nursing school Aug 2018 - no open spots until then. ? But it turned out for the best because we ended up (surprisingly) pregnant! ? By the time I start nursing school I'll have a brand new two month old. It's going to be our second child, and I've been stressing already about being able to pay our bills (my job pays more and I have the ability to pick up overtime if I want, whereas my husband's job doesn't allow overtime). My daughter and I will be on my company's insurance because it saves us over 200$/month to do it that way, but I'm sure the new baby will join that plan as well. Keeping insurance means I have to work no less than 30 hours/week, but I may have to work closer to 36 to pay bills. No family nearby that would be able to help with childcare, which means we'll have to pay the equivalent of a month's rent for daycare/preschool for two kids, one of which will be an infant so that'll be more expensive. Aside from not having a social life at all currently, I feel like most days I'm just barely treading water to work anywhere from 36-60 hours a week (15 hour overnight shifts and 12 hour weekend shifts, plus holidays) and watching my daughter during the day. I spend most of my days trudging through barely, trying to keep the house clean with a 1.5 year old and sloppy husband. It's chaos. The very idea of adding an infant into the mix plus nursing school full time (my school does 5 days a week, including 3 days of clinicals) is already stressing me out to a large degree!

Hearing everyone here talk about all the stuff they manage while in nursing school gives me hope and helps calm some of my fears. Thank you all for posting, and for reading my fear-rant. ?

All that aside, I can't wait to start school!

PeeWeeQ, ADN, RN, EMT-B · Jan 23, 2018

I'm a bit nervous about starting my ADN program as well. I was added at the last minute when someone quit and I was pulled off of the waiting list. Part of me wanted to wait until next fall, but, I'm 42 and not getting any younger. I've done some really difficult coursework while working full time, but, every staff member I run into is insistent that there is no way I can work full time and make it through school. Well, the best way I've found to succeed is to be told I can't do something, so, here I go...

I work nights (4, ten-hour shifts per week) at one of the local hospitals and, so long as I get my work done, I'll be able to study on the job. My wife and family are behind me and I already have a medical background and good organizational skills, but, I feel like I'm psyching myself out a bit. I can always cut back to part time, but, then I'm back to that me not getting any younger thing. I do take comfort that all is in the Lord's hands and if it is His will that I complete this program, it will happen. If not, maybe I'll be back on the Railroad running trains...

Wish me luck!