what if you have to work while in nursing school?

LoriAlabamaRN · May 25, 2006

I worked throughout nursing school, as a CNA on the 11-7 shift. My classes were during the days, and in my program as well we were "strongly encouraged" not to work. It was incredibly difficult, but if you are determined enough it can be done. As a bonus, when you are out of school and "only" working 40-50 hours a week, it almost feels like a vacation.

Best of luck to you!

caroladybelle, BSN, RN · May 25, 2006

Most "accelerated" programs involve more indepth study and more knowledge in a shorter period. Thus they are not the best option for someone who must work, but better for those that want to not work for the shortest time possible, to get a degree.

I worked fulltime for most of Nursing School. I did the the prerequisites as night classes, as well as some nursing classes that did not require admission/clinical (Nutrition, Pharmacy). Thus when I started, I needed as few classes as possible. I had Clinical 8-9 hours one day and 4 hours another, and classroom/lab 6-7 hours one day and 3 the other (after clinical 4 hour day). That does not include study time or time to do case studies. I then worked between 8-10 hours, 4 days a week. I used my earned vacation time to take a few days off to do case studies.

If you note, this means I worked or went to school everyday for 7to10 hours - for 9 monthes. After Nursing 3 - we were permitted to work as techs for about 50% more pay than my "day" job. I worked as a tech, about 24hrs per week for the same amount, but with no benefits, until I completed Nursing School.

Yes, you can work full time through Nursing School. But you have to accept that you will not have much social life.

Tweety, BSN, RN · May 25, 2006

Get all your pre-req and co-req courses out of the way prior to nursing school, so you nothing further to take but nursing itself.

It's not all doom and gloom, but it's extremely tough, demanding and physically exhausting. When there's a will, there's a way. Many of us, myself included, had no choice but to work full-time while in nursing school. To date it remains the toughest thing I've ever done, but I did it.

sunnyjohn · May 25, 2006

Accelerated programs are tough. Working while attending one may be a bad idea. After talking to folks on this board who have done accelerated progams, work would have flunked them out the first month. Regular programs are tough, but since the info is 'spaced out' work is more of a possibility.

I love when Tweety tells the story about working at Pizza Hut mopping floors when he was in nursing school. It is so Inspiring! I worked 50 hours a week while going through school for another allied heath career. I would work until 11:30pm, get home at midnight and be at clincial at 6am! My scholarship saved me many times.

I am a cheapskate expert so here are a few tips.

1. Since you have until 2009 can you get a second job to pay off your credit cards and car payment? Not having those two would be a big load of your shoulders. If you use your first salary to pay your currents bills and the second salary ONLY to pay debts it might work. Check out http://www.creditboards.com for GREAT debt strategies.

2. Since your son is heading of to college, can you downsize to a smaller apartment to save on rent and utilities?

3. In addition to using the second job money to pay off debts, try saving up a small nest egg. Try saving up a few thousand or 2 semesters worth of living expenses.

4. Consider geting that second job at a local hospital. Many of them offer tuition reimbursement to employees going back to school. They will pay for your pre-req's today PLUS nursing school in 2009! They also offer flexible jobs for nursing students that allow you to schedule off during test time.

5. Search for every scholarship you can find. Many of them go untapped. If you can get extra money, it may help pay the bills. Check out fastweb.com

6. Don't sneeze at your school's financial aid office. Their job is to get you money! Fill out the fafsa early! I am debt averse and not fond of loans, but if the ONLY way you can get through school is taking out the loans TAKE OUT THE LOANS! You can pay them back in a handful of years on an aggresive re-payment plan.

This one may be unpopular and at first you may turn up your nose at it. I know you love your son and can tell his education is a major concern for you since you mention it in your post. Consider letting your son pay the majority of his own college education. My parents paid for me the first time through, and I was VERY grateful and told them every day. Still I think I would have gotten more out of it if I'd had to chip in. If he starts scouting early he can get a generous financial aid package with few loans and mostly grants/scholarships. It may cover all of his college expenses.

If all else fails, consider have him attend a community college for the first year or two. Thye are cheaper. After you graduate, he can transfer to a bigger, better (and perhaps IVY LEAGUE) college. You will be making your nursing salary and will be able to kick in more.

Remember in order to be a good parent you HAVE to ake care of yourself. Your son can get financial aid. There is no financial aid for old age!

Good luck and good Fortune. I wish you all success. I love it when smart people like you start getting things in order early to ensure nursing school success.!

moonbean · May 25, 2006

Many of us, myself included, had no choice but to work full-time while in nursing school. To date it remains the toughest thing I've ever done, but I did it.

Tweety/Max, you're quickly becoming a true source of inspiration for me! I have to work full-time while doing a 2-year LPN evening program. I'm mentally preparing myself for being exhausted all the time and doubtful a good part of the time. But I feel committed to doing it. Thank you for taking the time to cheer us newbies on.

Jeanne

dvas00 · May 25, 2006

I'm so glad someone posted this question! I work full time from home as a medical transcriptionist. I'm hoping I can go part-time or quit when I finally get into NS, but if I can't do that, it's good to know that it is possible (though I understand very difficult...) to do both. Fortunately, I have very flexible hours in my job, so maybe I can make it work. Thanks for sharing your experiences and tips.

Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN · May 25, 2006

Given the choice, i'd go PRN, but that's not an option, because of tuition, car payment, rent, etc. Even though the household income will be increase once i'm married, Matt will be going for his Ph.D soon, and he'll be taking off work to do that, so he's being cheap and socking away a lot of money to allow for that, so techinically i'll still be working to support myself during that time. If we want something better in the future, sometimes we don't have any choice BUT to go against the strong recommendations.

bsugaRN2b · May 26, 2006

I am planning on entering nursing school in 2009 when my only son graduates high school and I can focus on myself doing fulltime school. However, I also have to work a fulltime day job as I am single with credit card bills, car payment, rent, utilities, etc.... Plus putting my son thru college. Also I need the HMO medical insurance as I have diabetes and need to see the doctor regularly and take meds. My 40 hr job pays me a good salary, but I am just not happy as an accountant and have always wanted to be a nurse but had to give it up years ago.
I hear nothing but gloom and doom about those who try to work and go to school, but I feel I have no choice. I found an 2nd degree accel program that is held entirely in the evening and weekend, but even they STRONGLY suggest you do not work. What am I to do?? I have to at least try.
How do others get over this hurdle and what other alternative options for income do I have? I would need over 40k in loans outside of school in order to pay my living expenses. What about medical insurance? I couldnt afford COBRA and I would have to make payments on my loans while in school? Any suggestions?

It sounds like you've looked for schools already, but make sure to check and see if the school offers health insurance, as that's what my school does, and they usually cover stuff like diabetes (I completely understand you here, as I've had diabetes for 15 years now)...

...And whoever was saying to take out loans, DO, you don't have to pay them while you're in school, they're defferred usually until around 6 months after you graduate! I mean, yeah, you'll have a debt to pay off when it's all said and done at school, but you'll have a decent salary as a nurse so you can start working it off...

Oh, and another thing - a lot of hospitals have programs where they will pay a portion or all of the tuition if you work for them for "x" amount of time - check it out through the financial aid office, or call hospitals around you, they should give you info if they do have it.

WDWpixieRN, RN · May 26, 2006

This one may be unpopular and at first you may turn up your nose at it. I know you love your son and can tell his education is a major concern for you since you mention it in your post. Consider letting your son pay the majority of his own college education. My parents paid for me the first time through, and I was VERY grateful and told them every day. Still I think I would have gotten more out of it if I'd had to chip in. If he starts scouting early he can get a generous financial aid package with few loans and mostly grants/scholarships. It may cover all of his college expenses.
If all else fails, consider have him attend a community college for the first year or two. Thye are cheaper. After you graduate, he can transfer to a bigger, better (and perhaps IVY LEAGUE) college. You will be making your nursing salary and will be able to kick in more.
Remember in order to be a good parent you HAVE to ake care of yourself. Your son can get financial aid. There is no financial aid for old age!

Anyone who watches Oprah (okay, I don't watch her much anymore since I'm a working stiff, but read her magazine when I can and catch one sometimes when I'm sick) knows who Suze Orman is...she also has her own show now on MSNBC....she STRONGLY suggests that when a parent has financial issues of their own, that they put themselves first and tell that child to earn their own way through school....it can be done and it's usually much easier for them than us mom's and dad's to get money.

I love the suggestion of the community college and wish we spent more time advocating that route instead of the pressure that's on for kids to go whole-hog right out of high school...there are some kids just not ready for that -- but off my soapbox.

Encourage your son to find a sport where scholarships are given, stick with good grades, study hard or find another means to earn his way through at least some of college. Encourage him to stay in-state. Then there are also PLUS loans for parents who qualify to assist if needed as well as loans your son can get. That will be in addition to miscellaneous scholarships, need-based grants, etc.

Best of luck to you.....I, too, will be working in order to afford my education.....

Daytonite, BSN, RN · May 26, 2006

while i was getting my adn i worked as a nurses aide (we weren't cnas then) at a nursing home. most nursing homes are very accommodating especially if you'll work when they need you the most (usually nights and weekends). my first year it was easy to work full time. it got harder in the second year which is where the flexibility of the nursing home came in. i was actually employed part time but all i had to do if i had extra time was pick up the phone and tell the nursing home i could work and i got extra shifts. that way i kept control of my work schedule and time.

i did the same thing when i went back for my bsn. i worked full time until i got into the senior year. we had to take classes full time. that wasn't negotiable. i cut down to part time status at the hospital and was still able to keep my benefits and worked every friday, saturday and sunday night. when my school projects were light i called my head nurse first to see if she needed help and then the nursing supervisors and put myself on their prn list for whatever shift i was willing to work. sometimes i got called, sometimes i didn't. i had to be willing to float to any unit in the hospital. again, i held control of the days i worked and i almost always worked nearly 40 hours a week. however, whenever i had a term paper or big care plan due or had to study for a big test i had the time off that i needed.

by the way, before i went to nursing school i studied accounting and was a bookkeeper for 5 years.

Galore · May 26, 2006

I agree with the others about your son paying for his own education. I completely financed my first bacherlors degree through a state scholarship that paid for tuition, and working at least 30 hours/week and student loans for living expenses. I was a fulltime student and it requires commitment but very doable. I feel it made me a very responsible person and better prepares you for "real life" after college.

If you need to take out a loan, I'd recommend student loans if you qualify for federal because they will always be at a better interest rate than a home equity loan. You don't actually have to use it on school related expenses, so you can use them to pay off debt that is at a higher interest rate. Some nursing positions even have loan forgiveness programs.