To work or not to work while in nursing school?

Nurses General Nursing

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Hi all-

I'll be starting nursing school this fall, and I'm curious how it will be looked upon when I start looking for a nursing job in a little over 2 years but don't have any healthcare related work experience??? It seems like most of the nurses and nursing students I know worked as either patient care technicians or student nurse assistants while in nursing school. I'm a mom of a toddler and my husband is also preparing for nursing school while working full time+, so working does not appear to be a very practical option for me while in nursing school. Will this be a mark against me when I start looking for a job or do new grads get hired easily without having health care related experience? Thanks much for the input!

Specializes in CVICU, PACU, OR.

I had an easy, on campus job during the school year that allowed me to study during down time. It was my "fun" money. During the summers I worked as a student nurse. It was great experience and was enough money to help me make it through the school year in addition to loans.

I had friends that worked as student nurses during the school year but I don't know how they managed to do that. It would have been too much for me to handle. I spent enough time studying and when I wasn't studying I tried to enjoy my free time!

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I really don't want to work while I'm in NS. Does anyone have information on what type of loan you can get to cover living expenses. I know it should be a private loan but through what bank? Most loans state they may only be used for educational costs.

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My husband and I both went back to school for nursing, so it goes without saying that we have taken out quite a few student loans to cover some living expenses and pay off cars, etc. (Not that that was the wisest decision, but it is what it is). Initially we took out private Sallie Mae "Tuition Answer" loans because that was all we could get approved for due to our significant income listed on our tax return from the previous year. Those loans come with a steep interest rate (even with our flawless credit) and fees of around 1K or more per loan. Now that we've both been in school for a couple of years, our income is so low that we qualify for grants, subsidized loans and scholarships that help bridge the gap on our living expenses. If you have other questions, let me know! GOod luck!

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Thanks momma&nurse2B. I will look into Sallie Mae, I know that the interest will be high. I just need enough to pay for the living expenses for one year. Once I graduate I will work to pay my loan off because my son will be going to college soon. My DH don't want me to stop working because my income right now pays a lot of the bills but I know I can't work and study the way that I need to. I want to do exceptionally well in nursing school.

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I worked part-time all thru, except for the last two months of my last year. I quit so that I could concentrate totally on my studies.

I had to work - it was how I paid my way thru school.

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I worked 30 hours a week in a non-patient care area (path/lab revenue cycle), plus 8 hrs a week as an NA/tech at another hospital (single mom of college kids with a mortgage to support too). Pulled a 3.9 in ADN program. Graduated w/ top honors, found out the following:

1) school taught me how to pass the NCLEX (75 questions)

2) NA work helped me feel "at home" on the floor (and to respect all the work done by unlicensed staff)

3) four and a half months out of orientation, handling my own load, has taught me more than both of the above combined.

So kids here's my bit of wisdom: You won't actually start to learn everything an RN does until you BECOME one and have to think for yourself. Scary and stressful, yes.

Of course some experience is better than none, but your real education begins when you have the full responsibility for a set of patients. The knowledge and skills sink in way better and faster in real life situations, not the one-dimensional scenarios in textbooks.

And those care plans we had to slave over....what a joke...

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Specializes in Nursing Informatics.

I will be working part time once NS starts in the fall. I am married with a 6 year old and I will be working roughly 20-25 hours a week as a pharmacy tech. at a local pharmacy. I like the flexibility of my work because if I do have some major studying to do, I can ask for certain days off ahead of time. I am hoping that I will have enough time to study and spend at least SOME time with my family. Hopefully. Wish me luck!

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Working and going to nursing school can get tough at times. We all can remember the late nights of writting care plans. But when juggling work and school, my advice is to have a good study schedule. Sometime I know its hard, but figure out your study time for the week and stick to it, especially around test time. Always have some study material with you were ever you go. If you have a few minutes somewhere pull it out and study. You will be suprised how much you can remember in a short study period. Well I wish you all the best and I will be praying for everyone.

The Man GN:banghead:

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Hi all-

I'll be starting nursing school this fall, and I'm curious how it will be looked upon when I start looking for a nursing job in a little over 2 years but don't have any healthcare related work experience??? It seems like most of the nurses and nursing students I know worked as either patient care technicians or student nurse assistants while in nursing school. I'm a mom of a toddler and my husband is also preparing for nursing school while working full time+, so working does not appear to be a very practical option for me while in nursing school. Will this be a mark against me when I start looking for a job or do new grads get hired easily without having health care related experience? Thanks much for the input!

Get a part time job that could accomodate you 15-20 hours a week on weekend.

You don't want to think about nursing 7 days a week, that's stress you out even more.

Need to breathe fresh air!!!

I'm a new nursing student just starting the MAJOR, and work part time. I'm glad that I have a part time job.

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My school had what's called a "HELP loan". It got me and my 2 boys thru the last 2 semesters of nursing school. ask your financial aid advisor.

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I worked part time the first 2 semesters of nursing school and was able to manage it just fine. At my school the 3rd semester is the toughest...it just so happened that I was able to quit my job just before that semester. Didn't work the last two semesters...lived on loans...enjoyed the "extra time"

If you have to work, you'll find a way to make it work...nurses always do. If you don't have to work, don't. Focus on school and family. You'll find a job either way. Hospitals have special programs or extra long orientations for new grads so you really don't need experience. You'll gain plenty of that during school!!

Good luck!! :nurse:

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