How many hours are you working?

colleennurse, ASN, RN · May 17, 2005

If you the option, go with less hours. Many people including myself work full time. But that is not really a choice :)

If I were you...go with the 20!

nursepotter05, RN · May 17, 2005

If I could have had the option of working fewer hours, I would. I was married and had a child while going to school. I had to work full time as a financial necessity. I will say if a person "wants it" badly enough, one can work full time and be successful in nursing school, but is extremely hard!! I graduated earlier this month summa cu laude while working full time and managing a family and running a household. If I were in your boat, living at home, ect, I would definatley take the fewer hours!

Godd luck in school.

tinatinabobina · May 18, 2005

so it is possible to work during the program? why is everyone, including the nursing counselor, saying that we shouldnt work at all? i pulled out a student loan or $3500 since i didnt think i can work during the program but maybe i can just work weekends? i mean, if you were able to work fulltime than i can squeeze in 15hrs/ week right?

Nurse2B2005 · May 18, 2005

so it is possible to work during the program? why is everyone, including the nursing counselor, saying that we shouldnt work at all? i pulled out a student loan or $3500 since i didnt think i can work during the program but maybe i can just work weekends? i mean, if you were able to work fulltime than i can squeeze in 15hrs/ week right?

Yes, it is possible to work during the program, especially if your employer is flexible about your hours. For me, I worked one shift a week, and that was all I could squeeze in. I took out loans for living expenses. If you can live with your parents, then highly take advantage of that! Some of my other classmates worked 32 hours a week, and they were able to get through the program. My nursing program also recommended that we do not work, but for a lot of us, it just wasn't realistic.

JustAnuthaGirl · May 18, 2005

For this past semester, I only worked (for pay) every other weekend, 16 hrs a pay period, but I also got a loan. However, I worked at home full-time as a mother of 4, and barely got breaks until bedtime. Next semester, I intend to work every weekend (24 hrs week). It is the only way I am guaranteed to have the house free for the weekend which will result in more study time in peace.

But in your situation, I would do the least amount of hrs possible....you seem to not have many distractions. But it depends on the type of work you do as well.

LilRedRN1973 · May 18, 2005

I worked two 12-hour night shifts while in school. I would have worked more, but I have a 5 year old and an 8 year old, plus my hubbie was going to school 3/4 time to full time while also working 3-4 twelve hour night shifts at his full time job. I wasn't able to work more. I am graduating next week with a 3.26 GPA (I made all A's and B's in nursing school).

I have a classmate with 5 kids....she worked one 12 hour shift each week during nursing school. I have another classmate with twins and a hubbie with multiple sclerosis...she worked 40 hours a week!!!! She made decent grades and obviously very happy school will be over!!! My friend is a single mother who worked two 12 hour shifts each week during school....she is graduating, although her grades did suffer a bit (she made 2 C's through the program).

I'm lucky...my job as an ICU Apprentice Nurse was very flexible. I made up my schedule 6 weeks ahead of time and could change my days at any time if need be. They were VERY willing to work with me. I will be starting as a graduate nurse June 6th in my unit and am very happy they worked with me.

If I had no kids and was living at home......man, I would have definitely worked more. It seemed like I had the time. The first semester, I didn't work at all and was bored to tears. I had a lot of spare time on my hands, it seemed. Once I started working, things did get tough....I didn't seem to have ANY spare time. I probably should have worked only one shift per week, but we needed the money. It will be so nice not to be a family of 4 living off of $45k a year!!!!! We are not going to know WHAT to do with ourselves with all the dough I'll be making..... :chuckle

Melanie

sunnyjohn · May 18, 2005

All that dough! funny...

All you hard working people really deserve :yelclap: and a

You should probably take the 20 hours. If you think you can take on more then you have can ask for more hours.

If it were me I would work 32 hours, but then I would have to do that because of financial responsibilities.

purplekath · May 20, 2005

It really depends upon YOU - you're energy levels, your dedication, your ability not to procrastinate with your study, your willingness to give up a lot of your life etc. I don't think everyone can do it, and I don't think everyone *should* do it. It's not for everyone certainly. You really have to know yourself and your own limitations. Don't kid yourself that just because "so and so" does it, that you automatically can.

I work approx 30 hours per week in a dementia unit - mostly shift work (weekends, nights etc). Yes, I can work + 2 full days at clinicals and 3 full days at uni. BUT it means having NO other life...hardly any social life - hardly any family life - hardly any rest - less sleep than I need etc. I have to say "no" to a lot of other invitations that I'd have loved to say "yes" to. I have to study in small and large chunks of times, whether or not I really feel like it. I have to feel guilty almost every day for all those things I just don't get to. I often feel bad for my dh and children for not getting enough of me. I have to cope with a messy house and if I get a cold I just have to work on through it. AND I *know* I couldn't do this for more than a couple of years!

So I guess you just need to be honest with yourself and your own abilities and limitations. "Needing the money" won't be enough to get you through...no matter how much you need it, needing it won't give you the tools you need to cope. You still need to be real about yourself and your own capabilities.

cn2007rn · May 20, 2005

Thank you for all of your responses!

I am still a little torn, it would be nice to take the 20 hour a week position but I don't know if I will be bored. I know there is A LOT of studying in nursing school. I have a degree in business and my last year of school I took 5 classes at a time and worked 40 hours a week. I actually did really well, but I know nursing school is a completely different ballgame.

If I take the 32 hour a week position, it would be 3 weekday shifts from 3-11 and everyother weekend sat/sun from 3-11. Which would mean I would have everyother weekend off, plus I have class/clinicals 3 days per week meaning I would have 2 mornings off a week to study plus time in between class and work.

I don't know about anyone else but there is only some much I can study, I normally will work for an hour, take a break, and then continue. But I can't really see myself studying for 8 hours @ a time.

Still confused.....

ear · May 20, 2005

I switched jobs before I started school as well. I was working upwards of 50 hours a week. I took a job that I am only working 35. I am a monday -friday type thingy. Thankfully, most of my supervisory people are nurses, and VERY helpful/flexible with me through my classes. I ended up with a B in my first semester, I am sure I would have been able to pull an A if I had a little more time. I am married, with no children, so I can be pretty flexible as far as the home situation goes. I would opt for the 20 hours if you can, I would have loved to have more time to study and just get a little more under my belt!

TifRN2B · May 20, 2005

Sorry, but I had to laugh at the concern that you'll be BORED! LOL... no offense, but I haven't been bored since I started nursing school. There are alot of hidden hours that aren't included in your credit hours. Clinical prep...studying (studying, studying, studying!!!) I work 16 hours a week and I feel that is more than enough. I am married but I don't have any kids. You can afford to work the least amount of hours, so take advantage of it. I wouldn't work at all if it weren't for financial reasons... and I still wouldn't be bored. Trust me... work the 20.