Work and Nursing School

mom2michael, MSN, RN, NP · Dec 11, 2004

I start a job at the NICU as a Unit Manager in Jan. and it's part time and they know about school and were 100% willing to work around it. Actually, most of the Unit Managers are students. We each work 2 days a week and she has 1 PRN that fills in here and there. Works out great. I may not get the 1 on 1 patient care (since I can't leave my desk for 12 hours) but I'll get to see a lot of stuff and the nurses there are great and nice and helpful. In May I will start as a SN and probably work in PICU 12 hours a week and probably will get to work full time all summer. This hospital is totally great about nursing school and willing to work around any schedule one brings to them.

Good luck to you!!!! It is possible to find something out there - I live in the middle of nowhere and found this....

Bekahlynn · Dec 11, 2004

why not work weekends. Most places would be excited to know that someone is willing to work weekends. I do 7a-7p on Sats and Suns, because I have class Tues-Thurs. Yeah, my weekends are not spent socializing, but I am gaining experience, getting paid decent because of the weekend differential, and, for me, it is only for five more months.

not now, RN · Dec 11, 2004

I work 3-11 and I go to school full-time. Honestly, it's not as bad as I anticipated it to be. Sure I'm a little tired but it has yet to damage my grades/clinical performance.

As for the orientatioin: The LTC I worked at made an effort to work around my classes as soon as I told them I was in nursing school. Ask, it never hurts.

shel_wny · Dec 11, 2004

I work full-time including 10am-10pm shifts on every Sat and Sun in addition to going to school full-time too. Right now it's completely out of necessity because my husband isn't working but I don't find myself studying much less, really. I'm just more tired and burned out. I'd definitely choose to work part-time if I had the choice but right now I'm just doing the best I can with what I've got.

The LTC facility I work at is completely awesome about working around my school schedule as long as I can provide an official school schedule as proof (because some people have abused the flexible scheduling in the past). Thank goodness they are flexible or else I wouldn't be able to afford to go to school! :)

Shel

kathy_79 · Dec 11, 2004

i start work as SN on med-surg floor this coming january. hospital is very pleased to SN and they wait for me to finish my first semester and i will have 4 weeks break so i can work full time and later i change to 8-12 hs per week. they are very open for medical staff and what i find out they are teaching hospital so that is why it is nice to work there and get good clinical experience.

i hope you find something for yourself too. try apply for weekend schedule. some hospital and facilities offer this option for nursing students, esp. if you are willing to work for them later on.

good luck, :)

acgemt · Dec 11, 2004

I guess I'm asking is it possible to work around my schedule, When should I tell the HR person about my schedule? How does everyone else do this? Thanks for your help.

I work in a SICU as a tech full time (7a-7p) Friday, Sat, Sun) while I go to school Mon-Thurs - 21 hours of clinicals included in the time. It can be really difficult and frustrating...being tired, not going out to socialize, but the experience is priceless, and it will really help you in your classes. If you are able to get away with not working, then by all means, don't work. But if it is a necessity, then you just have to suck it up.

Most places are generally flexible with school schedules and work schedules combined. Weekends are a great option to work, since it doesn't cut into your school schedule (except for study time). Just be up front with them, and they should try to make it work. If not, then that isn't the place for you right now. Good luck!!

LadyK82 · Dec 13, 2004

All I have to say is Kudos to those who can pull it off. I study constantly and cannot even imagine trying to work. Working while in nursing school takes a very special person!!

Antelope · Dec 13, 2004

I start a job at the NICU as a Unit Manager in Jan. and it's part time and they know about school and were 100% willing to work around it. Actually, most of the Unit Managers are students. We each work 2 days a week and she has 1 PRN that fills in here and there. Works out great. I may not get the 1 on 1 patient care (since I can't leave my desk for 12 hours) but I'll get to see a lot of stuff and the nurses there are great and nice and helpful. In May I will start as a SN and probably work in PICU 12 hours a week and probably will get to work full time all summer. This hospital is totally great about nursing school and willing to work around any schedule one brings to them.
Good luck to you!!!! It is possible to find something out there - I live in the middle of nowhere and found this....

What is a Unit Manager??

FocusRN · Dec 13, 2004

I would say they the person that you interviewed with know. They will most likely work something out for you. Usually they like to here that people are inschool, because they will want you to remain after you graduate.

Fiona59 · Dec 13, 2004

Explain ur situation (I liked the idea of offering ur schedule as proof). Many units I've worked on had NA staff cover the busy times and short shifted (ie: 5-9, 4-10pm). The shifts are out there you just have to ask.

Good Luck