Is it Possible to Work and go to Nursing School in an Accelerated Program?

Becoming a nurse isn’t for the faint of heart. Nurses deal with life and death every day. However, this career could be one of the most secure, satisfying, and in-demand job in healthcare. As a nurse, you could be responsible for providing advice and educating your patients and their families, and assist physicians in providing patient care.

Although nursing is a tasking job, it is very rewarding. According to a recent study by AMN, it was discovered that over 80 percent of nurses are satisfied with this career choice.

Because nursing is a demanding career, many working adults wonder whether they can join a nursing school and still be able to work. You can’t sugarcoat the fact that nursing school will demand a lot of your time and energy. From attending classes to studying for your exams, to completing your clinical, there's a lot of work to be done.

However, you can work part-time or even full-time and still attend nursing school. What’s more, you can even get a part-time job in the healthcare field. This will give you more experience, which will be a major advantage later when you graduate.

Tips on How to Balance Between Work and Nursing School

You most likely know the challenges of striking a balance between your job and life. Now think about adding more energy to join a nursing school. This may put you in a continuous chain of non-stop juggling. However, if you have made up your mind to go to nursing school, consider these tips that will help you find a balance between school and work while still enjoying your life.

Plan ahead

Just like Winston Churchill put it, “failure to plan is planning to fail.” To manage school and work successfully, it’s important that you anticipate what your schedule will hold. Put a calendar near your desk and always update it with project deadlines, class dates, and important events. Additionally, include a list of phone numbers and email addresses of your classmates, instructors, and school personnel who can help you if you get stuck or have a question.

Organize your space

Find a quiet place in your home specifically for your studies. Use this place to house your books, PC, stationaries, and other materials that are essential to your nursing studies. Reserving a place just for your studies and schoolwork could help you focus.

Have a realistic schedule

Ensure that you consider all other things in your life when creating a schedule for your nursing course. Fact in breaks, extra time for unscheduled tasks that pop up, and the occasional night off. If you are exhausted from your schedule every day you're not likely to do well in school or at your job.

Important Study Tips to Succeed in Nursing School

When trying to manage both work and home responsibilities on top of your studies, the amount of studies required may seem overwhelming. How will you be able to read all those chapters, review notes and prepare for your nursing exam?

Your first move should be to inhale deeply and tell yourself you can do it. With just a little bit of planning, dedication, time management, and study tips, you will be able to read and prepare for your exam and retain vital information necessary for a successful career in nursing.

Follow the NCLEX study guide

One way to focus on your studies is by basing your studies around the NCLEX test. First review the study guide to determine the subject areas to focus on and how questions are presented. Although the nursing exam doesn’t contain everything that you should know as a student nurse, studying towards the nursing exam will boost your confidence on testing day.

Concentrate more on materials covered in class

Your instructor will assign you many chapters to read and additional outside resources that you should review. However, instead of reading each word, take a hint during class time by considering the topics your instructor spends more time reviewing and the key points covered, and put more focus on those areas.

Study a little every day

It’s impossible to cram a week’s worth of study in just a few hours. However, you can break down your studies into small bits by studying a little every day. After all, the small pieces make the bigger picture. Breaking your studies into smaller segments will help you retain more information and you will feel less overwhelmed.

Consider your Future

Are you thinking about becoming a nurse? If you want to earn an Associate of Applied Science in Nursing Degree, ECPI University offers this degree at an accelerated rate. For more information about this exciting program, connect with a helpful admissions representative today.

It could be the Best Decision You Ever Make!

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Gainful Employment Information – Nursing - Associate’s

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