Working while Attending School

Zipster · Jan 8, 2004

I am in an evening/weekend rn program and also work 3 overnight shifts, husband, kids, etc. I don't know how students can do full-time school and a job. Must have to be super motivated. Just the amount of time spent studing is equivilant to a full time job. You really need to factoe that in. :rolleyes:

ainz · Jan 8, 2004

It can be done but is very demanding. First, you must learn to function on 4 hours of sleep or less. Use paper plates, plastic ware, paper cups, hire a maid to do the essential cleaning, find ways to shave off a few minutes here and there to decrease your workload at home. I had to find all kinds of odd jobs from delivering pizzas to washing cars to working for the city park service doing things from picking up trash in the parks to waxing gym floors in the public school system. Went back to school after becoming an RN and found a weekend (Baylor) program, worked for 3 agencies and did evening and weekend work. It all added up to fulltime work with much flexibility. It was hard and I will never do it again!!!! Good luck and just never give up.

Cali · Jan 8, 2004

I am an LVN/LPN working on my RN and I work (3) 12-hour night shifts (7pm-7am) and I go to school during the day. It's not easy having to flip your sleep schedule back and forth. I have just started working weekends (Friday, Saturday and Sunday) so it's a little bit easier now. Working part-time is not an option for me right not but I will have to do it eventually so I'm trying to get the bills paid off before that time comes.

hoppermom3 · Jan 8, 2004

I don't work. I often wish I had a job because money is TIGHT. I do have 3 children and we raise angora rabbits, so I stay busy. I feel guilty when my husband leaves for work at 6am, comes home at 6pm, eats supper, then heads out to his shop to work until 10 or 11pm. The kids do go out to the shop with him, so he does at least spend some time with them. When he has any spare time, he usually spends it cutting wood. I have mentioned working at least part-time, but he doesn't want me to. His labor rate in the body shop is about triple what I would make at a part time job.

kastas, BSN, RN · Jan 8, 2004

I have been out of school for a few years and I know things have changed, but it can be done. I worked full time, had a house, husband, and children. I agree with the learning to get less sleep part and finding ways to save time on your daily upkeep....I worked for Sam's Club all the way through school. It doesn't get you much nursing experience, but the hours were wonderful. I went straight to work from school everyday. I worked till closing. I was always home by 10pm (you know you have to clean up the store after the shoppers leave). When you learn to function on little sleep you can stay up till 12 or even 2 studying (also study on your breaks at work). It's doable when you are motivated.

Good luck, Terri:)

CarVsTree · Jan 8, 2004

I am in the evening/weekend ADN student. I work at Circuit City as a Technology (PC's, PDA's, Cameras, Cellphones) specialist. Haha, I'm also a computer geek. They're very flexible and work around my schedule.

The week I have 16 hours of clinicals on the weekend, I work 10 hours; the week I don't have clinicals I work 16-20 hours. I have clinicals every other weekend.

After 2 semesters of nursing school, I will apply for the PSNA (Professional Student Nurse Assistant) position at the hospital supplying my scholarship. It's a CNA position with a few added duties (blood draws, etc). I'm sure the hospital will be very helpful in working around my school schedule.

AmyLiz · Jan 8, 2004

Evening & weekend program here. I work 9-5 M-F at a restaurant equipment store as the office manager. I'm not going to school full-time though, so that helps. Usually I'm only taking 2-3 classes per quarter.

sagelola · Jan 8, 2004

I am not currently working, either. I have 3 kids, and like hoppermom3, my husband leaves early for work every morning. Yes, I do feel guilty sometimes, and money is tight for us, too. However, he really would like it if I could work. One option (eventually) is to get an internship/apprenticeship/student nurse position at one of the hospitals. At this time, however, the only one interested in me is 45 minutes away (I have been called by 2 different departments and have had to turn them both down. One of my profs says after the 2nd semester more opportunities should open up for us).

At this point, though, I really don't know HOW those who work and have a family still are able to do their schoolwork. It is difficult enough as it is. I guess, though, that like most things you just do what you have to do. As for me...I really do need about 9 hours of sleep to function, so I don't think that lack of sleep is an option here!

Evelyn2003 · Jan 8, 2004

Hi!

I just finished a 16 mo program and worked 20 hours per week at my old job all except the last few months. My husband was laid off after was accepted in Jul 02 and was out of work until Aug 03, so my 1/2 income was our total income, with 3 kids at home 12,13 and 15.

I was at least lucky with scheduling, I did analysis and worked whenever I could go in (mostly evenings).

Be careful. In my school instructors don't think you are as serious the students who are not working. Plus, I had to sacrifice time I should have been preparing for clinicals. At first I was even jealous of the students who were not working, especially when test time came! Eventually, I found my "zone" where I could allocate the right amount of time between studying, clinical, work, and family, and just stop worrying about anything else.

Reading the stories on the forum, I think working as an NA or a tech would have been better preparation for the real world, but you do what you have to do.

Good luck,

:)

erikanursenurse · Jan 8, 2004

I am in an accelerated evenings and weekends BSN program. This is my secondand Bachelor's degree. I have a husband and three kids. I also have a full time job. However, I am lucky. My job is either feast or famine so I can do some school work while at work. Sometimes it gets crazy though.

KPolk RN2B · Jan 8, 2004

It can be done. I am a full time student with 2 kids. A 2 year old and a 7month old. I do not work and my husband works part-time and also is a full time student. You must use all you time wisely. Say goodbye to sleep. I am determined to become a CNA this semester also that is something else that will take up time. But I am motivated and I will reach my goal of one day becoming a CRNA. I think if you work hard you will be able to accomplish anything. Good luck!:)