WORKING WHILE GOING TO SCHOOL

iamme457 · Mar 26, 2001

As a volunteer for a local ambulance service I obtained my EMT then my Paramedic prior to nursing school.

I worked a 24 hour shift every saturday as a paramedic.

If minimum wage is OK then maybe a gas station attendent would work, you can study while you sit in that booth..too boring for me but some have done it.

Working in a clothing store works too, you get a discount on clothing and your hours arent that bad, Fashion bug has been quite kind to some nursing students I know as far as accomodating the hours they can work.

Also a local mom and pop type owned business/ bar-restaurant or local gas station fast food service place/ You have to find someone willing to accomodate your schedule needs.

Hypoxic Pixel Eyes · Mar 26, 2001

I work at an retail store called General Nutrition Center and average between $12 and $14 an hour working part time(about 25hrs a week.)Yesterday for a seven hour shift I made $188.16.

Bonus is paid on some items and none on others so you just learn how these supplements work and what your customers motivations are and help people to get what they need while advising them on what is crap.

There are also reference guides handy for you to go to for instant information.The training, however, is woefully inadequate but you are a bit more advanced than the usual clerk and you will quickly make connections between what you've already learned in your prerequsite courses about basic concepts like ATP,protien,carbs,...ETC

Only sell what you know and your customers will have reason to trust you and buy from you.

There have also been times when I've advised customers to see an MD,or prevented them from taking an herb that was contraindicated for one of the medications they are taking.

Herbal supplementation is prevalent in our society.Unfortunately,in general the people that take them are ignorant of their containdications and actions and are to lazy or have their eyes glazed over with hype advertising.So you help fill the gap and make a good fist of dollars doing it while actually doing some good. As a caregiver that will likely have the most contact and be sought for the most advice on this subject you would be learning about dietary supplements(free training) while earning money for school.

By the way,the base is $5.16-$6.88 an hour in my region,but as you can see from what I made on sunday an hourly wage is just a moot point and really is not an indicator of wages at all.

My email is in my profile.Feel free to contact me if need be.

student_nurse · Mar 26, 2001

I'm in nursing school and work PT as an STD phone counselor. The hours are very flexible, which is really important. Also, I extended my 2 yr. program to a 3 yr. program - you may want to see if your school offers the same thing. It is VERY, VERY difficult to work in the same semester that requires clinicals.

Searh the web for aid as well. You would probably qualify for a federal student loan (as long as you're not in default, and have never declared bankruptcy). There are scholarships and loans available for nursing students all over the country. Your financial aid office might have suggestions.

4everpeace · Mar 27, 2001

Hi.

I am a CNA and I work for an agency. The pay is better and you can choose your own shift and hours. Hope this helps. Good Luck!

willbnurse · Mar 31, 2001

Hi. I just read your post from a few days ago. I used to work a second job part-time in a group home for mentally and physically disabled adults. The pay was about $7 per hour - not the greatest but they almost always need help and you would probably be able to get just about any shift you wanted. The midnight (12 - 8 a.m.) shift might work well for you since you will be going to school. All the clients are generally asleep. You would probably be responsible for paperwork, cleaning, etc. until they are awake, but you may also be able to get some studying done. Plus it would be great experience should you decide you want to try psychiatric nursing. Just a suggestion! Good luck!

NurseMark · Mar 31, 2001

First of all, student loans, student loans, student loans. Paying out of pocket is way too much responsibility to attend a nursing school whose programs are almost always full time. If you earn $38,000 a year and have to pay $100 a month in student loans (assuming an ADN program of course), then its really no big loss. Secondly, seek out a roommate that you are compatible with - like one who is going to be going to the same nursing school that you will attend. Not only could you study together, but you could split the expenses as you will only have to work part-time. Third, consider some kind of part - time position in health care. Although the job can be hard, a CNA is not a bad idea. I knew an RN that worked weekend doubles (7A to 11P)as a CNA while going through nursing school - she worked 32 and got paid for 40! The only drawback was that she had to study and work twice as hard on weekdays to make sure that she had NO homework to be done on weekends. The point is here, that if there is a will, there is a way. Nothing is more important than perseverance. Your success will depend on you ... so start planning and make things happen now. Nursing school will require 150% of your effort. Good luck!!!