Trying to find a job while in school full time?

Nursing Students Pre-Nursing

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Hi,

I just started nursing school full time. This is my first semester. I am currently taking:

  • Anatomy&Physiology 2
  • Nursing129 (1st Nursing Course)
  • Organic & Biological Chemistry
  • Nutrition

I have classes Monday-Friday. Monday's and Wednesdays classes are from 6pm-8:30pm. Tuesdays I have classes from 10:30am- 6:30pm. Thursdays and Fridays I have classes from 9am-11am. My schedule is all over the place due to the availability of classes (time slots.) I want to take as many classes as possible because I don't want to be in school forever! (I already have my bachelors in something other than nursing)

It has been so hard to find even a part time job with my crazy class hours. On top of this, I don't even know what my semester will be like in the spring, but I do know that I will be taking my first clinical course. Does anyone have any type of advice on a job with flexible hours? It is hard to schedule work around school... and it seems like most people schedule school around work, but like I said school comes first because I am trying to finish ASAP. Even something just for the weekends? I am getting desperate! I already applied for a nurses aide job at a local hospital but they informed me I have to complete a 2 week orientation that is Monday-Friday 8-4pm which I can't do because of my current schedule. They said to call back at the end of November to see if they are having a winter orientation I can do once I am done with classes for the semester.

Every doctors office requires specific hours that I can't do either! Any advice on any types of jobs while in nursing school?

Thanks for any advice!

I’m sure with the holiday season approaching there will be many places looking to fill just about any spot, so look around and call stores to see if they need any help during your off hours of school.

Talk with your teacher and see if they have anything you might be able to do.

What about Career Services, does your school have a center and do they know of anything?

Maybe even try to sell AVON, bring your books into class, ask the other students if they want to buy anything. This could give you a little extra money.

A receptionist job might be something you can do if you find a place that needs to fill the specific hours you are requesting.

If all else fails, just wait until November when you mentioned you would be able to do the nurse aid.

Remember you still need time to study but a few hours here and there will add money in the bank.

You could possibly try a night job. I know the hospitals near me offer unit secretary jobs that are for the night shifts. Or even work at a 24 hour gas station or super market? You could be a cashier. It might be helpful if you state that you wouldn't mind working weekends because most employees do not want to work on the weekends.

Specializes in CMSRN, hospice.

I worked as a tutor/baby-sitter for my first two years of college, and it was the best! I could work as often or as little as I wanted, but I had plenty of work available to me. I would just watch the kids of different families a couple times a week, maybe 2 hours at a time, and I made up to $20/hour. If there are some folks in your neighborhood who might need someone on afternoons before/after your classes, that's something to look into.

Also see if there's any work around you for filing/transcription/cleaning - stuff that doesn't need to be done on a particular schedule as long as it gets done. That could be a temporary kind of thing, or just something you'd do once a week for an employer until further notice.

If you're not opposed to retail, places like Walmart have pretty flexible scheduling. A lot of places want you to have open availability, but will work with you if you show them a printed copy of your school schedule.

Feel you there, hon. I only have 2 classes (A&P I and Growth & Development) and I am having a hard time too. Like the other responses, I am checking out the retail sector for now. Hoping I find something before the bank takes my car.

Contact your school's work study program. Work study provides jobs while you're in school. It's usually only minimum wage, but they work around your schedule. It might be too late in the semester to start for this semester, but you can see about having a work study placement for next semester.

Check with your areas Department of Developmental Disabilities. They provide respite for families who are caring for special needs children or adults. My friend does this and she sets her own hours. She is full-time college and she picks what days and times she can work. You can take on as many clients as you want and oftentimes it is overnight care. The best part is that it looks good on job applications if you have worked hands on with the Developmentally Disabled.

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