Nursing Student and Working Fulltime

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I don't have any kids and a couple of friends I know said they were able to do it. I just want to see what everyone else feels about it? WHat are some other options? Have any of you became a CNA after first term? Ive been working so hard to get here and I would hate to think its impossible. Are there any suggestions for places to get loans while in school? Help! Any suggestions or advice is super helpful...Im currently going to be attending Los Angeles county college of nursing and would love to get any feedback for that program as well. Thanks!

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Will be starting Nursing School in August. I work full time, 12 hr days, 3-4 days a week, plus have a wife and child. It's all about the person, their habits, their time management, their families understanding, and pushing through.

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Specializes in NICU, ICU, PICU, Academia.
Will be starting Nursing School in August. I work full time, 12 hr days, 3-4 days a week, plus have a wife and child. It's all about the person, their habits, their time management, their families understanding, and pushing through.

You haven't started nursing school yet.....

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Specializes in PICU, Sedation/Radiology, PACU.

I didn't work full time, but probably 30 hours a week. I still had some spare time, so I could have worked more. The biggest barrier will be finding a job that is flexible enough to work around your school schedule. Nursing clinicals can be evenings, weekends, different days each semester, etc. You have to have an employer who is willing to let you switch shifts as needed. You may have to adjust to working evenings or nights at times as well. If you study effectively and manage your time well, it's doable.

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Thanks for all of the feedback, I will keep you guys posted on how it goes. Im going to try and cut back to 32hrs and work weekends until I cant. Does anyone have any suggestions for student loans? I don't qualify for financial aid because of my current income..... @shawn91111 where are you going to start your program?

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Specializes in Critical Care.
Thanks for all of the feedback, I will keep you guys posted on how it goes. Im going to try and cut back to 32hrs and work weekends until I cant. Does anyone have any suggestions for student loans? I don't qualify for financial aid because of my current income..... @shawn91111 where are you going to start your program?

Perhaps a CNA income would allow you some loans? Just being realistic.

Also as a CNA you may be able to pull two 16 hour shifts on Sat and one on Sun for a total of 32 hours leaving you the rest of the week. Hopefully if you get a weekend clinical you could work a weekday.

Keep in mind that your current job has to be flexible for RN school which means lectures and clinical at any times provided to you...

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hi @cardiacdork thanks for that feedback. I thought i could apply as a can after the first month but i think that's after a month working on the floors ....anways so just to update you guys, I am on week 6 of school. so far 5 exams and clinicals started this week. Im pretty tired and don't have much of a social life but that has saved me money nonetheless. Week 6 starts next week...does anyone have any advice on planning a patients day as far as vitals, I&O's, adls and other assessments and the right time to do them??

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Specializes in Neonatal Nurse Practitioner.

I did it. I worked mostly mid shifts (3p-3a, 1p-1a) and night shift. 3 12-hour shifts a week in the ER. Occasionally, I could squeeze a little studying in at work especially on the night shift, but not a whole lot.

I don't necessarily recommended it if you don't have to, but yes, it can be done successfully. I'm also in grad school now.

My unit was self scheduling, and most of us were in school. It was easy to swap when our school schedules came out each semester.

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You haven't started nursing school yet.....

And you're saying what? It's not possible? I haven't felt the influx of work/studying/demands from school yet?

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It's DEFINITELY not possible to work 12 hour days (full time), have a family, and do well in nursing school. And by do well I mean actually learn the material and be able to take the best care of patients possible, not just get good grades. You haven't seen "demands from school" until you have started nursing school.

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There was a single mom who was pregnant with a child while working full time during my time in school. She got through just fine with good grades. She was kinda grumpy all the time though, don't be grumpy. I worked full time while I was in school but I didn't have any children at the time though.

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It's DEFINITELY not possible to work 12 hour days (full time), have a family, and do well in nursing school. And by do well I mean actually learn the material and be able to take the best care of patients possible, not just get good grades. You haven't seen "demands from school" until you have started nursing school.

You're right, that's never been done before

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