How much should I work when I'm in the Nursing Program?

Kathyz · Oct 17, 2007

Try to work as little as possible while in the nursing program. You may be able to work while taking your pre-reqs, but the program is intense. It's best to be able to concentrate all your efforts on school. There will be plenty of time to work full-time once you're an RN!

Good luck.

AprilRNhere · Oct 17, 2007

When we started the nursing program we were told that 85% of failed students worked over 20 hours a week. Of course...that statistic isn't complete..it doesnt' take into account how many work full time and PASS.

We were told to keep it to 20 hours or less. The first few semesters I worked that many..and was able to pick up shifts here and there. But the last year I was doing roughly 20 hours of clinicals a week, plus difficult theory and feeling overwhelmed with my 20 hours of scheduled work.

caroladybelle, BSN, RN · Oct 17, 2007

As little as you need to and as much as you need to.

Seriously, no one can answer that but yourself. Only you know your needs and capabilities.

I worked fulltime throughout school - I felt like I had no realistic acceptable alternative. I also passed.

I know many that didn't work and failed.

SummerGarden, BSN, MSN, RN · Oct 17, 2007

I agree, less then 20 hours a week unless you have a job where you basically study on the job and you are allowed to take off as you please.

Plus, make the sacrifice and move back in with the kin folk. When you start getting into the heavy material of nursing school such as Med-Surg you will never ever ever see them anyway so it won't matter that you live with them! Here are some one liners to help you out...

"Hi, going to class, don't have time to talk..."

"Hi, going to clinicals, don't have time to talk..."

"Hi, going to lab, don't have time to talk.."

"Hi, going to study group, don't have time to talk..."

"Hi, going to work, don't have time to talk..."

"Hi, going to my room to study all night, get some sleep, then get up and study some more... don't have time to eat, let alone talk..."

You get the hint... BTW, since you will have little time to spend interacting with them, be sure to care for yourself. For example don't make a mess of their space, do your own laundry, and offer to help out with groceries money-basically be a grown up. This way they really have nothing to say to you other then.... "OK, see you later." GL.

Conrad283, BSN, RN · Oct 17, 2007

A friend of mine graduated while working full time. This involved many sleepless nights. I work weekends and occasionally during the week. But it's still difficult, because it's almost impossible to study. Although working as a unit clerk at the hospital does help because I learn about meds, tests and most important of all decoding MD's chicken scratch. But if you can avoid working, because there will be plenty of time to work once you graduate.

franciscangypsy · Oct 17, 2007

Work. Your. Butt. Off.

Well, it actually depends on how well you "get" science. It takes me longer than maybe it does most people, so I am always studying. The only reason I am currently online is b/c I just finished a midterm and by freak chance don't have any careplans due.

For me, the work your butt off theory has worked well. I'm in my junior year and I am still in nursing.

chia24j · Oct 17, 2007

:balloons:

I have worked full time throughout the RN program and currently in my fourth semester and still passing. When some of the instructors found out that I was working full time 1st semester they told me that I would probably not be able to work full time in 2nd semester, but when you have bills to pay you just do what you got to do. The hardest thing about working full time is trying to schedule your hours around the time that class and clincials are being held, but it can be done. My advice is that you are still able to work full time as long as you can take time out when you get home to study and do assignments for class. :lol2:

SarasotaRN2b · Oct 17, 2007

Unfortunately, for some it is not a choice to work but a necessity. Yes, many nursing instructors advise you not to work, but who is going to pay your rent, your utilities, food, etc. If you are able to not work, that is great. As many of stated, you won't really have downtime to get into conflicts with your folks. Use it as a place to sleep...and make full use of the school facilities during the day (i.e., library, cafeteria, etc.).

Kris

misterk1 · Oct 17, 2007

I am in a full time night AN program. It meets usually Mon-Fri, sometimes with weekend classes or sometimes with Friday off. It goes from 5:30-10:30 weekdays and weekends usually 8:00am- 4:00pm in class or 6:30am-7:30pm in clinical. I work full time Mon-Fri 7:30-4:00 at a clinic. It is not a hard job, but I am tired all the time now that I have been doing it for 9 months. I have 6 months left and think about quiting my job to finish school, but I have to pay for a morgage since my wife doesn't earn enough to cover all the bills. I just keep telling myself I have done 9 months out of 15 and I am almost done. You got to make sacrifices to reach your goals sometimes. I don't spend hardly anytime with my family, but I understand that will change when I am done. I could be probably getting almost straight A's if I didn't work, but I will settle for the 3.02 I am currently getting. Just hang in there if you can if you need to work to survive. It is only a small amount of time out of your life.

tophthegoph · Oct 17, 2007

Cool thanks a lot for the advice. I know I'm in a pretty good situation where I'm at right now. I work part time nights, so not too many classes/clinicals should interfere with that, and my parents are very supportive of my schooling and have encouraged me to stay at home as long as I need too. I guess I'll just suck it up and make the smart move now so I'll benefit in the future.

MB37 · Oct 17, 2007

I worked PT through my first semester, and quit a few weeks into my second and current one. My husband makes enough to pay the bills, and between that and loans we decided it was more important for me to get As (I want to become a CRNA, so grades are important) than to have the extra cash. If you only want to work because living with your friends will be more fun or more convenient - don't bother. You'll never see your friends anyways if you're trying to work full time and go to NS, so why make the sacrifice? If you live at home and work as little as possible, you might actually be able to go out with them on the odd Friday night if you don't have an exam coming up.

If you're an adult, ask your mother/stepdad to treat you as such, and then as the previous poster said, act like one. Sure you can eat dinner with them here and there, but if they don't have to do your laundry and clean up after you they'll have less reason to bother you too much. I think it would be really hard to be young, single, living with friends who weren't nursing students, and going to NS. I'd move back home if I were you - you're giving yourself a much better chance to succeed in school, with a lot less pressure going in.