Working in Nursing School--is it possible?

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Hi All--

I'm posting on behalf of a friend. She's in her mid-20s and has been putting herself through community college pre-req classes by working midnights and taking 10-12 credits per semester.

She'll soon tranfer into an accredited college where she'll go through a traditional three-year nursing program. She's had a hard time saving up for this and is concerned about having to take out loans for living expenses on top of loans for tuition and books. She doesn't have family who can help her financially and is wondering whether she will be able to work during this period. Scholarships and grants will cover some of her school expenses, but she needs to bring in at least some money for the basics: rent, food, etc. She also wants to avoid being in a big debt hole when she graduates.

Is working during nursing school possible, or is the curriculum so intense that it precludes work? Also, at what points can nursing students start utilizing some of the skills they've picked up in school to earn a decent wage in a health-care environment?

My friend's working very hard and I know she'll make it, but any insight you might have would ease her mind and be a big help. Thank you!

I used to wait tables before I had kids and loved it, made great money. I'm hoping I can find another waitressing job when/if I go to school this year (and leave my desk job).

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What I did was I started hostessing just Saturday nights to get my foot in the door so that when I started school I could be trained as a waitress. Restaurants around here won't even look at you if you don't have experience. I put my time in and am now making the big bucks.

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The problem around here is that the towns are small so there's not many nice restaurants. Plus there are two state colleges within 30 miles of each other, so lots of college kids looking for work. :o

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I used to waitress and LOVED it. It was my favorite job and the job that I made the most money at. If I do have to go back to work, I am trying to get into the place that I used to work. We are trying to work it all out now in the next couple of weeks before they start hiring again and I lose the chance.

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I recently left a full time professional job to attend nuring school, and they want me to come back and work Fri, Sat, and Sun nights (12 hour shift each)

Good money (a bit more than R.N.) but I don't want to take risks with school. Is this too much work and too strange of a schedule?

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I don't think it's a strange shift exactly, but maybe too many hours. I would probably start out with 1 maybe 2 days at the most. I definately think it's a good idea. I would go out of my skull if I didn't work at least 1 day a week. It gives you something else to think about and people to socialize with. If is crucial to talk about things other than school, school, school. We have enough of that when we are at school. That's my 2 cents.

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Newgrad:

you said you are a CNA per diem. How did you go about that? That sounds like a good idea to have a back up job when you have the time available. After what point in school did you have that opportunity available to you? Was it after a specifice clinical? I am definately going to check into that. Thanks for the idea. You are soooo right about the nursing/waitressing thing. I can multi-task like no other and still make 20% on each table. I just don't like the sidework. I swear, if I scoop out one more sour cream or tartar....

Most hospitals are happy to get you in. They will hire you usually after one or two semesters with out having taken the CNA class. Atleast the ones here. I was hired as a tech, and did CNA/NA job. I told them because of school I didnt want to work full time. With the shortage they have they were more than happy to put me to work whenever I want. I just have to call in. They used to call me and bug me about working but I told them I wanted only to work vacations, ect. Now they know and they laugh and joke about me working other times but tell me "just go be a student, and get your degree." They are happy to see me when I work and I get work when I want but I also get to know some of the people, whom might sit in my interviews and might have a hand in hiring me. I also just had to fill out only a transfer to switch to the RN position I'm applying for. But really its a great way to get to meet people and find out where you want to work.

Just go to your human resources in a hospital you would like to work at. A lot of times they will help you with school costs, so its not a bad idea. Even if you tell them you dont want to work much. Mine helped me with a scholarship, but I had to sign a year contract with them after I get my RN. but that is fine, job security. I will get a sign on bonus as well as financial help with boards. I wish I had went to work earlier, like right after first semester or second semester. I didnt start this until last semester.

With all the new pt ratios in california and other states they have a huge need for nurses, so they are willing to get you before you graduate. Take advantage of the "smoozing" you get. I also know of a girl in my class (we grad this may) who was "bought" out of her scholarship obligation, and her loans will be paid off NOW, and also got a sign on bonus. So there are definatley some incentives out there. Just go ask about them

Good luck!!

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I recently left a full time professional job to attend nuring school, and they want me to come back and work Fri, Sat, and Sun nights (12 hour shift each)

Good money (a bit more than R.N.) but I don't want to take risks with school. Is this too much work and too strange of a schedule?

I think that if being an RN is what you want to do then this schedule is a bit much. I know of people who have done 3 12's on off days but it doesnt leave much time for studying. Dont think that nursing school is easy. And you may be biting off more than you can chew.

I would take a day or 2 and see how it works for you. Remember once in school, you already have no life, working 3 12's could lead you to insanity. Even I, when Im working my 4-5 hour shifts food serving whine I have no days off because of school/work, I couldnt imagine working 3 12's. But seriously there can be some good money made in food serving, and enough to support you in minimal hours put in. Along with grants/loans and whatever other means you can survive.

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Well I am living proof that working and going to college can happen. I work M-F 16 hours a day and then on Sat and Sun I work 5 hours a day. I go to school on Tues and Thurs evening and clinicals on Sat and Sun. This is my 2nd semester of 5 to earn my RN and so far I have not received any grade lower then a B. It can work if you want it to. Oh by the way, I only get 4 to 5 hours of sleep per night.

Heather, SN

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I work, go to nursing school, and have a husband and 2 kids. It's possible, but very difficult. I wouldn't recommend it.

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Specializes in Urgent Care.

boy would that be nice to have weekend clinicals! Why can't all schools be that acommodating? LOL

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I am so glad that someone started this discussion. I am grapppling with the same issue now My program is fulltime and warns not working. I am working on financial aid maybe expanding my budget so I can find evey loan, grant or scholarship I can get so I can pay for living expenses and not have to work. I seem to be always looking for more ways to get monely for school. I have thought about delivering newspaper in the morning time for extra bucks if I can' get enought finaid.

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