What type of full-time jobs can you work while going to nursing school?

katiebear · Jul 26, 2012

For a while, I had two part time jobs while in my ADN program. I dropped down to one recently, but I may go back to do in a little while. I also personally know three people who have worked full time jobs while in nursing school. It's difficult, you have to really buckle down and your life will basically be work, school and one other thing (most likely family). But it's totally do-able.

You best bet is to get a job that has flexible hours. A set schedule is much more difficult to work, unless it's a set schedule with small bursts of hours every day, instead of 8-hr shifts. For example, one of my two jobs has a weekly schedule that is the same every week, and I work max 5 hours at a time. My other job changed weekly, but usually involved 4-5 hour shifts at a time. Some days, I had class and BOTH jobs to do, but it usually only happened one or two days a week.

The key is flexibility! Your class schedule is a set schedule. If you can find one or two jobs that are willing to work around that availability, then go for it.

daisygarten · Jul 26, 2012

I am going to be in the same boat as you (hopefully) in Fall of 2013.

I have 5 kids and am currently a teacher. How I wish nursing school started in summer! That would at least cover income for a while. Here is my untried, but hopefully workable plan:

1. Sock away as much money as I can, during this, my last year of teaching full time.

2. Work summer school, sock away money. (My husband is also a teacher, so no childcare worries in the summer.)

3. Save on childcare costs by using homecare sitters (and give my littlest one preschool style environments on weekends)

4. I am applying to a Hybrid program, so I will only attend in-person classes 3 days a week max., which frees me up to substitute teach the first term at least.

5. After one semester, nurse tech positions are an off-hours option.

6. Use a portion of my students loans for room and board, to cover what I cannot while working/ going to school.

This is more of a working part-time model. You could probably squeeze in a weekend or evening retail-type job if you wanted to, even seasonally, while school is in recess. For me, a huge priority is that I don't want to be away from the family for a ridiculous amount of hours. It is not fool-proof and it is loaded with sacrifice, but God-willing, we can pull it off!

peachshan, BSN, RN · Jul 26, 2012

I am going to be in the same boat as you (hopefully) in Fall of 2013.
I have 5 kids and am currently a teacher. How I wish nursing school started in summer! That would at least cover income for a while. Here is my untried, but hopefully workable plan:
1. Sock away as much money as I can, during this, my last year of teaching full time.
2. Work summer school, sock away money. (My husband is also a teacher, so no childcare worries in the summer.)
3. Save on childcare costs by using homecare sitters (and give my littlest one preschool style environments on weekends)
4. I am applying to a Hybrid program, so I will only attend in-person classes 3 days a week max., which frees me up to substitute teach the first term at least.
5. After one semester, nurse tech positions are an off-hours option.
6. Use a portion of my students loans for room and board, to cover what I cannot while working/ going to school.
This is more of a working part-time model. You could probably squeeze in a weekend or evening retail-type job if you wanted to, even seasonally, while school is in recess. For me, a huge priority is that I don't want to be away from the family for a ridiculous amount of hours. It is not fool-proof and it is loaded with sacrifice, but God-willing, we can pull it off!

Hey! I was trying to make this my last year of teaching as well but I haven't been stocking money like I should. My husband is scared the most because he is worried that all the finances will fall on him and that we would have to move (he was exaggerating). God-willing, we can do this!

daisygarten · Jul 26, 2012

If I waited the 3-or- more years I need to really stock up, with one of ours starting high school this year and two close behind, I would never make it! High school is a money pit in and of itself. I'm kind of planning on the student loans to go toward the room and board piece-- so we can keep the house-- lol-- well sort of lol. And the stocked up summer school-odd-extra $$ for child care (the baby is 2).

I wonder how many teachers are looking at making this big switch? Let's keep track of and enourage each other-- maybe find more of our kind. :)

~Jennifer

peachshan, BSN, RN · Jul 27, 2012

I was just going to say we have to keep in touch. You have a two year old? I have a one year old. The way education is going, I don't think people are wanting to stay in the field anymore. My district is giving us furlough days and pay cuts. What's the incentive to stay? But that's my soapbox. I will inbox you.

daisygarten · Jul 27, 2012

Sounds good-- Give me few days to have an inbox, tho. I'm new and on "inbox probation" :)

Our district has done the same, furloughs, paycuts, retirement cuts-- its sad!