Working while in nursing school.

[LaurenD.]

I will be a nursing student this upcoming spring 2014 semester and was wondering is working while in school a good idea. I know some people who have to because of kids and stuff but for those of you who don't how are you surviving?? Are you living off of scholarships and loans? If you do work do you recommend working somewhere that isn't as stressful like a smoothie king or something? I just want to know my options although I don't mind working, I just want to know if its possible to not have to work. I want to be as successful in school as possible but don't want to overwhelm myself as well. All comments and suggestions are appreciated!!!:)

[icunursewannabe]

icunursewannabe that is so inspiring and gives me hope that I can work without killing over lol how do you get the kind of nursing jobs you are talking about without experience? And congrats!! You are gonna be an awesome nurse! Thank you so much for that advice :)

Ok news flash about the healthcare jobs these days, a lot of jobs these days depends on who you know on the inside. I applied several times at my current job for an EMT position but never got called. When my cousin told his director about me, i got a call the very next day. But this does not mean that you cannot get a job purely based on merit but if you know somebody in the healthcare system , talk to them cause this MIGHT help. I got my job because my cousin helped out but i am still there based on my work ethics and my contribution to the team. The director and my cousin left 2 years ago. If you do get the job, give them a reason to hire you after school by being a team player and even if it is not the best place to work, fake it till you make it. We have had a lot of people to came thru my job and left after they graduated but my manager has insisted that i stay back and i can't wait for me to graduate. Just be your best and again if you cannot handle, do not do it. Never sacrifice your job for your grades cause your job will pay the bills today but your career will take care of you in future. I take some days off if i need to study or meet up a deadline, overall it has been a good experience. God will never give you what you cannot handle.

[whealer]

I'm currently going through a similar situation and decide whether I'm going to work while in nursing school. I'm currently going through my pre-reqs but next semester starts nursing core courses and A&P II. I looked into getting the private loan so I can avoid working. I could only do it if I had a cosigner and I didn't want to do that. Plus, I didn't want to pay any more money than I needed to. I currently work now, so I will continue my job at the doctor's office, which isn't horrible since I'm on the phone and in front of the computer... plenty of opportunities to study and do homework.

My goal is to keep my grades up so I can apply for school scholarships next semester, which will hopefully give me a break in the future.

[LaurenD.]

I'm currently going through a similar situation and decide whether I'm going to work while in nursing school. I'm currently going through my pre-reqs but next semester starts nursing core courses and A&P II. I looked into getting the private loan so I can avoid working. I could only do it if I had a cosigner and I didn't want to do that. Plus I didn't want to pay any more money than I needed to. I currently work now, so I will continue my job at the doctor's office, which isn't horrible since I'm on the phone and in front of the computer... plenty of opportunities to study and do homework. My goal is to keep my grades up so I can apply for school scholarships next semester, which will hopefully give me a break in the future.[/quote']

Whealer thank you for replying! Good luck to you! I am used to working and being in school at the same time but it's just something about working while in nursing school that worries me because I want to be completely focused. I may just take out loans to live off of until the summer (my program starts in jan) that way I completely focused on school.