When you have a full-time job or family commitments, going to school for healthcare can feel like an unrealistic option. But it doesn’t have to be. Evening and weekend healthcare programs can give you the flexibility you need to balance school with all the other things on your plate.
In this guide, we’ll go over why you might want to consider flexible healthcare programs, how they work, and what evening and weekend classes we offer at American Career College.
Do Schools Offer Weekend and Evening Healthcare Programs?
Yes, many schools offer flexible healthcare programs with evening and/or weekend classes. These programs can help you manage schoolwork and your other commitments, such as a job.
Evening and weekend classes can be a great choice for students who can’t attend classes on the weekdays, such as:
- Full-time employees: If you work a regular 9-to-5 job, it’s not possible to go to class during the day. Evening and weekend classes can allow you to keep working while you attend school for a healthcare diploma or degree.
- Parents or caregivers: If you have kids or you’re taking care of another family member, flexible healthcare programs can help you balance school and family commitments.
- People changing careers: Not everyone stays in one job forever. Flexible programs can help you pursue a different career while you continue working in your current field.
How Do Evening and Weekend Healthcare Programs Work?
The structure of an evening or weekend program depends on the school. In many cases, these programs involve blended learning, which combines in-person instruction with online coursework.
For example, at American Career College, the Medical Assistant, Dental Assisting, and Pharmacy Technician programs all offer online courses during the week. Students come to campus on the weekends to complete their labs.
“Our weekend classes offer students a way to complete the lab portion of the program during their off time as they may be busy with work or homelife obligations during the week,” said Melissa Chacon, Medical Assistant Program Director at ACC’s Ontario campus.
At ACC, our evening classes take place between 4 and 11 p.m. Monday through Friday. If the program requires an externship or clinical rotations, the schedule depends on the host site’s availability and hours of operation.
Pros and Cons of Flexible Healthcare Programs
Enrolling in an evening or weekend healthcare program is a big decision, especially if you have work, family, or other obligations. It’s a good idea to weigh both the pros and the cons to decide if it’s the best choice for you.
Pros
These are the advantages of taking classes in the evenings or on weekends:
- Balance school and other commitments: A flexible healthcare program makes it easier to balance school with other important commitments in your life.
- Study with diverse, driven classmates: Evening and weekend classes often attract older, non-traditional students who want to further their education and improve their career prospects. You’ll be learning alongside classmates who are balancing school with work, family, and other responsibilities — just like you.
- Learn on your natural schedule: For some people, an 8 a.m. class isn’t their ideal learning time. If you learn better in the afternoon or evenings, a flexible schedule may be a good option.
Cons
Evening and weekend classes can come with some downsides, too. Consider these potential drawbacks:
- Have busy evenings and weekends: Be prepared for some long, full days. If you’re heading straight from work to class, it can make for a packed schedule, so planning ahead for meals, rest, and commuting becomes especially important.
- Miss out on social or family time: Evening and weekend classes may cut into your time with family and friends. Think about how this schedule will fit into your current lifestyle.
Flexible Evening and Weekend Healthcare Programs at ACC
At American Career College, we want everyone to have an opportunity to advance their education and pursue careers in healthcare. We offer a variety of evening and weekend classes designed for people who need more flexibility in their schedules.
Weekend Classes
ACC offers weekend options for these healthcare programs:
Medical Assistant
Our Medical Assistant program has a blended format with both in-person and online classes. We offer medical assistant weekend classes at all three campuses, including Los Angeles, Ontario, and Orange County (Anaheim). With our program, you can earn your medical assistant diploma in as few as 9 months.
Dental Assisting
The Dental Assisting program combines online classes and in-person labs. You can take dental assistant weekend classes at any ACC campus. Our program can prepare you to earn your dental assisting diploma in as little as 10 months.
Pharmacy Technician
Like ACC’s other weekend programs, the Pharmacy Technician program is a blended format. We offer pharmacy technician weekend classes for students at the Los Angeles and Orange County campuses. At an Accelerated Program pace, you can get your pharmacy technician diploma in approximately 9 months.
Evening Classes
ACC’s evening healthcare programs include the following:
Optical Technician
Our Optical Technician program has a blended format with evening options for students who need more flexibility. Our optical tech evening classes are available at both the Los Angeles and Ontario campuses. The program gives you an opportunity to earn your diploma in as little as 9 months.
Vocational Nursing
ACC’s Vocational Nursing program includes an Evening and Weekend option, giving you the best of both worlds. With this format, you take nursing classes in the evenings and do your labs on the weekends.
While it takes slightly longer to earn your licensed vocational nursing (LVN) diploma this way — 18 months, compared to 12 months at a traditional schedule — it’s a valuable option if you can’t attend school on the weekdays.
Find a Healthcare Program That Works for Your Schedule at ACC
If you want to pursue a career in healthcare but worry you don’t have the time, evening and/or weekend classes may be the answer. Flexible healthcare programs can allow you to attend school while continuing to meet your other commitments, such as work or parenting.
American Career College offers various options for students who want to attend evening or weekend classes. Most of our flexible healthcare programs can be completed in under a year, quickly preparing you to start a new career. For aspiring nurses, our Vocational Nursing program can take as little as 18 months to complete when you choose the Evening and Weekend option.
If you’re ready to take the next step in your career, don’t let scheduling conflicts hold you back. Reach out to request more information about our flexible programs today!
