Can You Actually Work During an LPN-RN Nursing Program?

If you like the idea of helping people as a career, then you should look into becoming a nurse. Nursing is a field in which you should always be able to find work due to the high demand for nurses throughout the healthcare industry. Of course, you'll want to enroll in an LPN-RN program in order to get the education and skill set you'll need to be a registered nurse.

Unfortunately, some people have to work while they attend school. Many students need money to support themselves and to pay their way through school. This can be challenging when it comes to something like nursing school, but it's not impossible.

The following are a few tips to keep in mind if you plan on working while attending nursing school:

1. Understand that it will be challenging

Going to nursing school full time and working at the same time is going to be a real challenge. You will be giving up a majority of your free time, and you may not even be able to spend quality time with your family for days at a time. This can be a difficult situation to get used to, but if you mentally prepare yourself for it, it will become easier to accept and get through.

2. Always stay positive

As you work your way through nursing school while going to work at the same time, it can be difficult to stay positive all of the time. This is especially true as you become tired due to particularly tough days. Knowing that you can't see your friends and family as much as you would like can be quite hard as well. But you have to remember to stay positive -- the sacrifice you're making will be well worth it once you finish nursing school. After all, once you graduate, you'll be able to quit your current job and get a job as a nurse -- and you'll have much of your free time back.

Of course, even if you go into it knowing the sacrifice will be worth it, staying positive the entire time can be tough. One thing that you should try doing is writing yourself a letter before you start school that states exactly why you're doing what you're doing. Write it when you're feeling particularly positive and give yourself advice for when you're feeling down. If things get hard, go back and read the letter to re-motivate yourself.

3. Know what your limits are

Do not push yourself too hard. Remember, the number one priority of being a nurse is patient safety -- and if you're showing up tired and hungry, you could be putting your patients in danger. You'll need to make sure you eat properly and that you get enough sleep before a clinical. If you push yourself too hard, you will crash and burn.

4. Learn to get sleep where you can

Working and going to school at the same time can sometimes make it difficult to find the time to sleep. Remember that you don't always need to be in bed at home to get sleep -- get used to the idea of grabbing an hour of sleep here or there where you can, even if it's in your car.

Not everyone can dedicate all of their time to nursing school. Unfortunately, many students have to work at the same time. Fortunately, this is possible is to do -- just keep these tips in mind. For information about our nursing program, contact us at Athena Career Academy today.