Working NS v/s NonWorking NS

Divatologist, ADN · Sep 3, 2013

I just started nursing school last week! YAAAASSSS!! I work at the hospital full time. I don't have a choice. I actually had 2 jobs and a side hustle baking cakes. I worked at a doctor's office in the evening part time and the hospital at night. I baked cakes upon requests. I had to let the baking go and I'm not sure if I'll have enough strength to go to my PT job. The hospital won't pay my tuition unless I work full time. I don't have a husband or children. I don't qualify for any aid because they say I make too much money, but I beg to differ. I apply for scholarships, but most of them say I must have a financial need. Translation...you make too much money. I'm still applying to any scholarship I can find.

Girl I wish I didn't have to work. You have your husband. He has to step up and let you reach your goal right now. I'm sure he helps out, but did you tell him how much work is involved in nursing school? You need to have some time undisturbed. You should probably schedule a few hours of uninterrupted time away from home each week. Maybe stay on campus and study there or find a fellow student who has no kids or husband and you can study over their house/apt or anywhere quiet. You worked hard to get into nursing school. Your family has to understand that for the next 2 years nursing school is gonna take up a lot of your time.

Good luck with school! This is such an exciting time!!

Nurse2b7337 · Sep 3, 2013

Divatologist, I love that name!!! Lol! Thanks for the response and congrats to you. Is your program accelerated? Mine is so that's learning something new every 8 weeks. The hubs is supportive and so are the children. I just I wondered how do working N's as yourself do it? Is it the amount of quality time you put in over quality of time? What are yr study skills like. My note taking skills need to be revamped! Lol! BTW, you are one busy Mom!

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Divatologist, ADN · Sep 4, 2013

Thanks! That's part of my pen name actually...Adeeva Speeks, Board Certified Divatologist. Haven't had time to do much writing lately though. My program is not accelerated. I'm in your basic 2 year program. I work night shift as the floating unit clerk. I can sit at any station I want to. It's a small community hospital. So, it's not that busy here. I get my studying done while I'm at work. Thanks to my awesome boss, I'm able to come in at crazy hours to work around my school schedule. I actually don't have any kids or a husband. It's just me.

My study skills are pretty good. I have to take notes in order for the info to stick. I usually do the questions at the end of the chapter and the ones in the study guide as well. I will write out the explanations for the objectives at the beginning of the chapters as well. I just love my ipad. I have all my books except for my skills checklist and assessment book on my ipad. I was not carrying those big heavy books lol. I have the note taking app notability that allows me to type or write my notes during class. You can also record the lecture while taking notes with that app too. You can go back and tap anywhere on the note and it goes to the part of the lecture you were listening to at the moment you wrote that note. I have a scanner app too. So, I can scan my study guide and add it to my note taking app and take notes on it during class. I have a bluetooth keyboard. So, it's easy to toggle back and forth between apps and my textbook. I'm doing pretty good with this set up. It's more organized for me.

biancawelch · Sep 4, 2013

What are the hours that people normally work if they do? I got accepted into a program for Fall and my boss wants to keep me for at least 16 hours a week? What would my work schedule look like if I did that?

NICUmiiki, DNP, NP · Sep 4, 2013

I'm in my second semester and work full time. I work 3 12's per week. I try to schedule one during the week and then two during the weekend.

Pink Magnolia, BSN, RN · Sep 4, 2013

I'm in an accelerated program so I can't work full time:/ first semester I could, but I was a teacher. I wouldn't dare quit before Christmas! Thats just rude. The rest of the program is 8 am to 5 pm and we have 2 to 3 12-hour clinicals. My only day off from school is sundays. I dedicate that day for family.

Nurse2b7337 · Sep 5, 2013

You ladies are awesome! I may try to work one 12 after my funds class. That's not until January though.

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RN-BSNheather · Sep 6, 2013

I'm in a regular entry level nursing program. (Final semester, 98 more days YAY). Many of my friends have done accelerated programs, I don't know one single one that was able to work and do school at the same time. I work 16 hours a week as a PCA. It's been really helpful.

I definitely think its quality versus quantity. There have been times I spent hours and hours reading and re-reading and I did horrible on the test, then there have been times I've spent less time reading and more time applying and studying and I have done great. Everyone just has to find a method that works for them.

besaangel, ASN, BSN, MSN, CNA, RN, APRN, NP · Sep 6, 2013

2 8s/week... additional if I see it fit

nursekee · Sep 7, 2013

I am in nursing school and i work. I just have to juggle everything

SopranoKris, MSN, RN, NP · Sep 7, 2013

Our program just offered a Study Skills & Test Taking Strategies seminar and I really learned a lot from it. I was a 4.0 student before starting nursing school, so I consider myself to be a good student. However, we all know that nursing school isn't like the regular academic world. We now have to use critical thinking and show we can synthesize knowledge learned to new scenarios.

What really hit home with me was my usual study style just doesn't work for nursing school. My first week, I was up until 1 am every night studying. I typically read every chapter and take notes while reading, then summarize my notes, then answer the homework questions. It was too time consuming and I wasn't retaining the information.

Now, I read the chapter summary and then go right to the homework questions. I highlight the correct answer in the chapter and note the page where I found it next to the question. Once I've answered all the questions, I go back and read all the highlighted paragraphs.

This, together with reviewing my lecture notes, had helped me retain the info better. I look at the study questions and whatever I don't answer correctly, I study it again. If I get it right, no further review on it because I already know it.

I have reduced my study time immensely and, more importantly, I'm RETAINING the info I read because now I'm studying with a focused purpose. No more lack of sleep and I'm more refreshed & relaxed the next day.

I have also reviewed the "Fundamentals Success" NCLEX-style test questions that go along with our Nursing Fundamentals book. Being able to apply what I've learned to those questions lets me know I'm absorbing the information and applying it correctly.

If you want some further study & test taking info, let me know via PM. I finally cleared out my AN inbox :)